I would think a reington 1100 would be about the best. When I used to shoot a lont of trap, I owned an 1100 classic trap and would highly recommend it.

 

I've had some experience with PVA shooters. It seems that for most, a front end heavy gun like an 1100 is a struggle.

I also helped set up a gun for a chair bound young shooter a few years ago. The best setup for him was a 32" BT99 shooting light one ounce loads. If you handload, 7/8 ounce loads would even lighter in the recoil department. More than that, it's important for him to have the gun properly fit to him, especially due to his being chair bound, as all of the standard dimensions are a bit different, as do recoil pad requirements. This would allow him to shoot better, with more ease and with less felt recoil.

 

I'll write more on this later, but seated shooting generally results in the most felt recoil.

For that reason I'd recommend a soft shooting gas operated semi-auto.

In your price range, it would be hard to beat the Browning Maxus Sporting, Silver Sporting, or one of the Beretta Sporting semi's. The Browning Gold Sporting and Winchester SX3 would be good choices as well.

By the way Dad, kudos to you. It looks like in spite of your son's physical challenge you guys are living life to its fullest.

What state do you guys shoot in?

 

I agree, even though he likes the M2 it is not the best choice for trap. A gas auto will kick less. A new 1100 sporting or competition gun will shoot softer and can be adjusted to fit him. I don't know that a pure trap gun is a could idea either. A gun that allows him to shoot other clay games would make more sense to me.

 

Agree with you on him shooting other clay sports!

One of the guys in my skeet league shoots seated due to some debilitating back issues. He's one of the top guns and regularly shoots 24's and 25's.

He shoots a ported Browning Lightning Sporting Clays O/U with lighter reloads.

 

We shoot in the Kansas City area.

My son describes the 1100 as front-end heavy and struggles with it, as SS describes. I'd agree a gas operated semi-auto would be best although he was happy with the M2 (and crushed me with 20 out of 25!).

I'll look at the good suggestions. I'd like to find a fitter in the Kansas City area but have not found one yet. Have some more calls to make today.

 

You might check with the Bullet Hole. They should know a gunsmith who does fitting.
As far as front end heavy target guns go, that's the way they should be. I hope you take this suggestion in the way it's intended. It will really help him to work with small free weights to build the proper muscle groups. I had to do this with my son because I started him early. If he is serious he will put in the effort. Good luck, sounds like he has some good eye hand coordination.

 

I just called GunsmithingOnly in Mission, KS and they do shotgun fitting for a reasonable price (depends on exact work required). They also sound really friendly and were helpful on the phone. Now I just need the shotgun!

I appreciate all the suggestions, and will read over them when I've more time tonight. I'm new to shotguns and from reading this board I've been impressed by how friendly and helpful you all are.

 

Another gun to consider would be an A400 NOT Sporting model, like the A400 Light with KO, or maybe the new Action. If the weight of an 1100 is a balance/handling problem, then so would the weight of most Sporting autos (though the new Browning and Beretta models are a bit lighter than 1100s). The A400 Light is made for pheasant hunting, but especially with the KO feature, could be a good low-recoil, lightweight, but full-length option. It weighs under 7 lbs. with the KO (a hydraulic shock absorber system on the butt to reduce felt recoil). With light target loads, even the light gun should have very little felt recoil, and certainly not enough to cause bruising even after you go through a flat.

Best wishes to your son!

 

TrapDad:

I agree with Barry that the A400 with the Kickoff recoil reduction system (KO) would be a great gun for your son, but am not sure how much the stock can be shortened if needed. It does come with some shims. I think the fitting is key, and it sounds like you're on top of this.

Barryd: any ideas on how much if any LOP can be adjusted on the A400 with KO? Can the stock be cut and machined for the KO unit and re-installed if shortening is needed?

Trapdad: welcome to SGW by the way!

 

Good question. I am not sure. I'm sorry I missed that part.

The option to get an aftermarket recoil reduction system is always there, with any of the guns. The downsides are price and weight. If the KO will work, it's by far the least-expensive option, as effective as any and better than some, and it's pretty light compared to the metal-framed stuff. But fit is a whole other question.

I'd suggest contacting Joel Etchen, PSA, or Cole's with that question.

 

Browning Silver will come close to filling your bill. It is similar in weight to the Benelli but gas operated like the Rem 1100. I have one that my SCTP shooters use regularly and it has been faultless. It will cycle any load (except maybe some super-light reloads) and is utterly reliable. Good luck with your journey. Shoot straight and support your local SCTP programs. ...j.

 

You would be better getting the A400 without the KO getting the stock fitted expertly to him (probably more of a necessity than for anyone else) and THEN adding a recoil reducer - ISIS, Gsquared, Gracoil, etc

The A400 is 14.5" with or without the KO installed - per Joel Etchen

The Unico (the green one) my wife's uses for sporting is fairly light all around, let alone up front where it would have bothered her - this shoots 3/4" target reloads to 3.5" goose loads (not that it will see those), but I mention that fact as it surprises me it will shoot the 3/4 oz loads

We have the opposite age group here in FL, and we have a few who shoot from wheelchairs or stools - they seem to handle their standard trap guns easily enough - but these guys have been shooting for many decades

Good luck

 

Thanks for the SCTP link. As new shotgun shooters I did not know about the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP). I will need to find out what there is in our area. Currently my son is shooting at my gun club Sunday open shoot.

 

trapdad:

have you guys tried skeet yet?

 

Not yet. My club does not have skeet setup but a local and closer public range, Powder Creek, does. I know it is a compromise but I was going to get a slightly shorter barrel, about 26 to 28", to do both. The M2 he borrowed is more like 24" and that doesn't seem to be too much of a problem for him. Right now I just want him to have fun. If this gets really serious I'll figure that out later.

 

So recommendations seem to be in order of increasing gun weight:

• Beretta A400 Xplor Light (w/o KO 26", or w/KO and remove)
  Winchester SX3 Black Field
  Browning Maxus Sporting
  Browning Silver Sporting (or maybe micro?)
  Browning BT99 Conventional (or maybe micro?)

The A400 looks very interesting. Need to see if I can find one locally for him to mount.

 

Have the Maxus and SX3. Never shot the SX3 but used to shoot the Maxus for trap. Only thing I would suggest is get a wood stock so you can get all the adjustments he may need for it. Otherwise it was a great gun and worked well. Shot a bit high, but thats good for trap. I used to go 20+ straight with it back before I started shooting trap more. Good gun, but cant really go wrong with any of the options.

 

I'd try a Beretta 303 (if you can find one) or Beretta 391. They are readily available used and can be found on GunBroker, at Cabela's, and other sources. Both are light, reliable, gas guns with wood stocks that would lend themselves to alteration. I've recently begun shooting skeet with a co-worker who is in a chair and the challenges are obvious but not insurmountable. My hat is off to you for introducing your son to the sport. He'll thank you for the rest of his life. Good luck.
Eric

 

Another gun to consider would be an A400 NOT Sporting model, like the A400 Light with KO, or maybe the new Action. If the weight of an 1100 is a balance/handling problem, then so would the weight of most Sporting autos (though the new Browning and Beretta models are a bit lighter than 1100s). The A400 Light is made for pheasant hunting, but especially with the KO feature, could be a good low-recoil, lightweight, but full-length option. It weighs under 7 lbs. with the KO (a hydraulic shock absorber system on the butt to reduce felt recoil). With light target loads, even the light gun should have very little felt recoil, and certainly not enough to cause bruising even after you go through a flat.

Best wishes to your son!

I was just about to suggest the A400 Action with KO. It is by far my favorite semi that I have ever owned. My only minor complaint was that it was a little light, but that may actually be a plus here. The KO really makes it a dream to shoot.

 

So recommendations seem to be in order of increasing gun weight:

• Beretta A400 Xplor Light (w/o KO 26", or w/KO and remove)
  Winchester SX3 Black Field
  Browning Maxus Sporting
  Browning Silver Sporting (or maybe micro?)
  Browning BT99 Conventional (or maybe micro?)

The A400 looks very interesting. Need to see if I can find one locally for him to mount.

I would recommend the A400 Action over the Light - I might also opt for the 28 inch barrels vs the 26. Still a light gun, but may smooth out the swing a bit - especially for trap.

 

AS has been mentioned I would encourage you to see if there would be a way he could try one of the semi-auto offerings from beretta either the 391's or the new A-400's or even one of the 390's if one can be found.

then work with a good stock fitter to do any modifications to the stock.

 

I wanted to thank you all, and give you an update. We spent a lot of time shopping and thinking yesterday and my son finally settled on a Benelli Ultra Light (BUL). He tried all the guns on the list plus an M2, but the Ultra Light was the only one he could comfortably hold in the shooting position. For him it was also more comfortable than the M2. In the process I've learned that due to his condition it is actually not entirely comfortable for him to support a weight that is forward of his trunk, and I doubt that will change. I had not realized that when I originally posted, but it helps explain why he preferred the M2 in the first place. Although the A400 Xplor Light was better, it was still not nearly as easy as the BUL, and he also preferred the BUL grip/trigger positioning. Of course we talked about recoil, but he was ok with the M2 so felt he could handle the BUL.

At the range this morning we arrived and he immediately shot 16/25 before we even had time to pattern his gun. We then tried a slip-on recoil pad. It increased LOP by about 1.5 to 2" (far too long) and was slipping to the side, and his scores dropped slightly. Once the gunsmith returns from vacation we can get the gun properly fitted and a permanent pad installed. That should really help.

At this point he is delighted, and is looking to going back to the range. I know we ended up with a different solution but really appreciated all your input as it helped us understand why he ended up choosing what he did.

 

Congrats on your purchase! Nice choice. Hope he enjoys it for a long time to come.

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Also, out of curiosity, what barrel length is the gun?

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