We use 20 gauge 11-87s in our Hunter safety program, with factory shells, and even young kids can handle the recoil. Your wife should fit the 14" LOP stock.

 

The Weatherby 20 gauge SA-08 is a good choice. With dual gas pistons you can sboot very light loads. It also comes in a compact model. http://www.weatherby.com

 

You might also consider Winchesters Low Recoil Low Noise featherlite loads also. They're loaded light and a little slow but I've found them to work just as good as regular shells without pounding the shoulder. I use them mostly in my older double barrels. They may or may not cycle an auto , leaning more towards no. I have an early model Winchester 1400 that will cycle them if its cleaned and oiled up good. Good luck , and let us know how you make out.

 

Lowest recoil auto I've shot was a browning gold 12ga with fiocchi 1oz @ 1180 factory loads. I've yet to shoot a 20ga that was softer although I'm told the gold in 20ga is very soft.

 

Oops I forgot the beretta multi target. But that's a $2500 contraption.

 

You have the right idea, a heavy gas gun for recoil mitigation

 

+1 to Oregunner's and Oneounce's suggestions.

And, if your wife is comfortable with some additional weight, a 12-ga. 1100 or 11-87 could be a good choice. Another factor in favor of Remington for a smaller person is that Rem guns tend to be shorter in LOP than most others, and for some models even shorter youth stocks can be had without breaking the bank. Good luck.

 

You've gotten good advice here and I would add that good gun fit and proper gun mount mitigate recoil as much as the other factors. Please see a qualified coach for help.

 

I would just change Halfstop's advice slightly to read a qualified stock fitter for the fit part; not all coaches are good at that aspect, just as not all good stock fitters are good coaches. (You don't call an electrician for a plumbing job so to speak)

 

Most 20GA gas guns will fill the bill, many also come in a youth size if the wife has a light build, also a few nice 28GA gun's should be on the list, Mossberg SA-28 gets very good reviews.........just realize a very light 20GA can recoil as much as a 12GA in many cases.

 

My bride just bought a Beretta Multi-target 12GA a couple of months ago. She shoots factory 1oz and reloaded 7/8 oz shells (both at 1200 fps) and loves the low recoil of either of those two combinations. And the adjustment features built into it make it very easy to get a good fit for almost anybody. The LOP is only adjustable by changing the butt pad thickness, so there isn't a lot of room to get a very short LOP. As mentioned, it IS a bit pricey at $2,500, but it is a very well built gun and a dream to shoot.

And while 20 GA guns CAN be used for trap, they are not an ideal choice if that will be the primary game of choice.

 

Thanks guys. Yes, I think a big part of her problem the first time around was a poor mount and maybe poor fit. But she just bruises easily. There's a range in the area that offers a shotgun intro class that's pretty reasonable. I think we'll look for a gun over the winter and get her in the class when it opens up in the spring. I'll let you know how things turn out.

 

Unless you buy her shoes and she always finds them a perfect fit and she likes how they look

NEVER BUY WHAT YOU THINK IS AN IDEAL GUN FOR A WOMAN :shock:

l

 

In my opinion instead of shooting half loaded shells why not put a gra coil on it.

 

In my opinion instead of shooting half loaded shells why not put a gra coil on it.

How effective are they? I see the max compression is 5/16 inches.

 

In my opinion instead of shooting half loaded shells why not put a gra coil on it.

How effective are they? I see the max compression is 5/16 inches.

I have several shotguns with Gra-Coils. They don't bottom out they just seem to absorb some of the recoil. I talk to the people at Gra-Coil and they told me they measured it and it takes 1/3 of The Recoil out.

 

In my opinion instead of shooting half loaded shells why not put a gra coil on it.

How effective are they? I see the max compression is 5/16 inches.

I have several shotguns with Gra-Coils. They don't bottom out they just seem to absorb some of the recoil. I talk to the people at Gra-Coil and they told me they measured it and it takes 1/3 of The Recoil out.

Thanks. Good to know. I think I'll start with the heavy gun, light loads, and thick pad and go from there.

A re Roger's comment... Yes, comin' up on 50 years married. I know better than to think anyone makes her decisions but her