[Guest]

My girlfriend is taking the plunge. She just finished her hunter safety course this weekend and is now a licensed hunter (this could be dangerous :wink: ). I have been contemplating the "perfect" starter gun for her and have come up with 2 scenarios. First off she is recoil shy, and thought my 6.9lb Franchi 612 was "heavy" :lol:. I'm thinking 20 gauge due to lessened recoil than a 12, yet she won't have to be an intermediate to andvanced wingshooter as she would have to be to consistently down birds with a 28. I figure an autoloader will dampen recoil more than a stack, and she just might need that extra shot due to inexperience. This leaves me debating between a Franchi 620VS (26"...5.9lbs) or the Franchi AL 48 in 20 gauge (26"...5.7lbs). I'm not limiting the gun to a Franchi, they are just the lightest in the class, and I am very pleased with my 612.

 

[Guest]

id go wit a 20ga autoloader. It dont kick as much, but give the same amount of knockdown power(almost) as a 12. I hate recoil also but this gun doesnt bother me, i can shoot 3 boxes out of it without feeling it.

 

[Cemoto_Man]

Take a look at the Remington 1100LW 20 ga

 

[jlptexashunter]

Dang,
When I saw the Topic I thought we were talking a trade, to which I was going to say go for it.

But I'd look at the Browning Ladies Gold, the Remington 1100LW.

 

[javven]

I saw a 3901 Beretta in a gun store here for I think $699 or some such. Felt like a nice gun.

I'm going to pick up a 20ga Teknys. If she can mount a full-size gun this would be the way, IMO.

 

[sera russell]

My wife(5'4") shoots a youth model 20g Beretta 391.This gun w/ 24 " barrels is well balanced for her and does not feel heavy to her.My 7 lb 28g O/U is also a gun that she finds well balanced(but i'm not about to give it up).

 

[Guest]

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............ scatter brain ... You wish a shotgun for your girlfrend? ............ I have a 12 gauge Weatherby Athena Grade 4 in unfired condition. ... It has a lovely long blonde finely grained and beautifuly volupiously curved handfinished Claro wooden stock. ... The forearm is just the right length to lovingly caress, with abolutely perfect hand and arm holdability. ... The barrels are the perfect 28-inch (A nice pair) for the right symetrical balance. Changable choke tubes too... She is everything you should ever want in a fine figured smoothbore firearm. ... She has never been mistreated, no knocks or dings.

............ If your girlfriend is Blonde, blue eyed and is in exact height to weight balance I might even consider an even swap here. ... She must be under 25 and have never been mistreated and of course must come with no dings and knocks. ... Of course she must have a perfect pair ... :shock: (Blue eyes that is) ... I believe to be fair to both parties ... A trial grace period of 30 days is in order.

............ OOOps ... Wait a minute I may have misunderstood the above question here. ... Oh, ... I'm so sorry. ... In that case try an 1100L.W. as was mentioned above. ... Perhaps even the Remingtom 1100 in 28 gauge. ... The 28 gauge just might be more potent than you might realize. ... The auto-loader allows for more than one shot most of the time and with little noticeable recoil it just might be the perfect choice.

With Kindest Regards ... Norm

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[clayshooter25/25]

1100 28g

 

[Cemoto_Man]

I agree that the 28 ga should be just the ticket. I have an 1100 28 ga and it is extremely deadly. I'm not sure why, perhaps there is less stringing in the pattern, anyway the pattern is very dense.
I have heard it said that a 12 ga throws a doughnut shaped pattern while the 28 throws the doughnut hole.
Don't equate the 28 ga effectivness with the .410. It is much more deadly. The down size is the price of ammo. $7 + for 25 rounds here abouts.

 

[Chef]

Gas Autos will give you the lightest recoil. I think that the AL 48 is recoil operated. I have never shot one, so I can't comment on its recoil. Find a range that has rentals and take her there and let her try out a few different ones.

 

[Burnt Powder]

Franchi AL 48. The deluxe version if you can swing it.

My daughter loves my Franchi Veloce O/U 20 ga. They make it in 28 ga too. A bit more spendy than any of the autos though!

BP