Are there any clubs where you are that rent guns? Do you know enough folks that have guns that might let her try some? Heaviest gun she can handle shooting the lightest and slowest payload that fits her will yield the least recoil.

 

I was thinking you were bragging about a trade.

 

No sir, no clubs around here or anywhere to rent shotguns. I am not really plugged into the clay shooting arena in my area either as its just been me and some good old boy friends that recently starting shooting trap/skeet. Folks around the range where we have been shooting are friendly enough but I've only seen mostly 12 and few 20 gauges being shot.

So if I am getting this right? Go semi-auto as those should be softer shooting than O/U or SxS. Then look at maybe a 28 gauge in the heaviest she can comfortably shoot?

That being said, what fits that bill?

I am about an hour and half away from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. If there was a place up that way where we could rent shotguns, seems like it would be well worth the trip if we could find a place with gun rental.

Thanks for the info.

 

So if I am getting this right? Go semi-auto as those should be softer shooting than O/U or SxS. Then look at maybe a 28 gauge in the heaviest she can comfortably shoot?

The gauge has nothing to do with recoil. In fact, if you were to shoot a 3/4 oz. 1200 fps load out of a 12 gauge, it would have less recoil than a lighter 16, 20, or 28 gauge of the same action type.

Lots of things make a difference as to how a gun feels: your shooting vest, type of recoil pad, gun fit, and so forth. A gas-operated semi-auto is softer-shooting than a fixed breech gun of the same weight.

 

So if I am getting this right? Go semi-auto as those should be softer shooting than O/U or SxS. Then look at maybe a 28 gauge in the heaviest she can comfortably shoot?

The gauge has nothing to do with recoil. In fact, if you were to shoot a 3/4 oz. 1200 fps load out of a 12 gauge, it would have less recoil than a lighter 16, 20, or 28 gauge of the same action type.

Lots of things make a difference as to how a gun feels: your shooting vest, type of recoil pad, gun fit, and so forth. A gas-operated semi-auto is softer-shooting than a fixed breech gun of the same weight.

Thank you sir for that information. I didn't understand that before. So in reality, I am barking up the wrong tree looking for lighter gauges. I need to be looking at all these other issues and it seems most of all, look for the lightest load for her.

I guess we'll still look for a semi auto but I'll run out and grab a padded shooting vest for her to see if we make some progress.

Thanks again.

 

Hopefully MAJ ( Mary Ann ) will see your post. If I were trying to find a gun for a member of the fairer sex I would pay attention to what she has to say.

 

Lots of good advice here, I will add my 2 cents based on the fact that most of my shooting buddies are gals, #1 being my wife. Hard to emphasize enough how important it is that the gun actually fits female shooters. I don't care how many guns you try, it is unlikely that any will fit your wife without at least correcting LOP, if at all possible borrow a gun from someone her size that has had that done, the difference is huge. Good luck, hope she falls in love with our sport, she will be he best shooting companion you could every hope for!

 

Thanks again everyone. Lots of good advice here. More to look into and I am googling trying to see if I can find a club and/or rental place in the metroplex. Perhaps if I can, I will find female shooters that can hopefully help us out.

You all have been most helpful and its much appreciated.

 

Gentlemen,

Randy is correct the weight of the gun and the shells used, determine recoil not the gauge of the gun. Texasrimfirenut, you might consider an old 28 gauge Rem 1100, built on the slightly larger frame and gas operated the gun recoils very little. I started my wife long ago with this particular gun, and she loved shooting it, in fact she shot Mearns Quail with it in AZ and did quite well. Finding one of these good old 28 semi-autos today in pristine shape maybe a chore however.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

 

Gentlemen,

Randy is correct the weight of the gun and the shells used, determine recoil not the gauge of the gun. Texasrimfirenut, you might consider an old 28 gauge Rem 1100, built on the slightly larger frame and gas operated the gun recoils very little. I started my wife long ago with this particular gun, and she loved shooting it, in fact she shot Mearns Quail with in AZ and did quite well. Finding one of these good old 28 semi-autos today maybe a chore however.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

Sounds like a good plan. I'll see if I can turn up anything on one of these. Thank you for your help.

 

If you reload a 3/4 oz load at 1150 to 1200 fps in a 20GA is quite pleasant.

 

28 gauge gas operated Semi auto shotguns are somewhat rare. Beretta has the A400 Xplor in 28 gauge but it's currently out of stock at every major retailer that I checked. However it is available as a 26 inch Field Gun at Joel Etchen guns. As for the price, you will have to call for that information. BTW, I have purchased a combo gun from Joel Etchen and he is a first class dealer who can purchase directly from Beretta. Just be aware that gas operated semi's require regular cleaning so expect that will be something that is part of any range day outing.

 

That Beretta also weighs very little so a moot point for reducing recoil.

 

What kind of 20 gauge auto do you have? Would it handle 3/4 oz loads? Do you reload or know anyone who does?

 

Texasrinfrenut,

Here ya go buddy the same gun I purchased for my young wife many years ago. For sale on GI #101719460 and the gun looks to be in pristine shape.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

LW Skeet-T Rem 1100 28 gauge. Click on the GI image to see the picture. Nice gun for $1,950. Serious Semi-Auto for wife or son, time tested and ready to use.
https://images.gunsinternational.com/li ... D8B3BE.jpg

Here is a highly engraved 28 gauge 1100 on GI for sale also, about $10,000. The LW Skeet-T is almost the same gun without the high grade engraving.

If you want a big time .410, this Custom Engraved L.C. Smith makes it happen.

 

Pine Creek/Dave:

Weren't the LC Smith and Winchester 21 .410s both built on 20 gauge frames? I have never had one to inspect in .410 so was just curious.

 

oyeme,

I do not know about the M21, 410. However the L.C. Smith .410 was built on its own frame, recorded sales production started 1926, the only 28 gauge gun known, that L.C. Smith built, was on the 00 Grade 20 gauge frame. The one 14 gauge 0 Grade gun shipped in 1899, the frame size was unrecorded, many believe it was on a 20 gauge frame, however 20 gauge L.C. Smith guns, were not available to the general public, until a much later time. This would be another special made gun, if in fact it has a 20 gauge L.C. Smith frame. If so more than likely it would have a 20 gauge Regular frame, as my Great Grandfathers #2 guns pictured below. Only the owners know for sure.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith Man

If the O Grade 14 gauge L.C. Smith actually had a 20 gauge Regular frame it would look similar to my great Grandfathers 20 gauge, maybe even have Damascus barrels. I would love to own that 14 gauge double gun, and add it to our family collection.