Affordable entry level shotguns for clays for a young lady

[shrewd]

Hey folks, my girlfriend really wants to get into shotgunning. I’m a rifle/pistol guy so I’m completely uneducated so we’re learning together.

Open to autos and OUs but it’s hard to justify a lot of money on something we’re not sure either of us will get into. I have an old Ithaca featherlite but I don’t want to beat up her shoulder.

She’s 5’6. She’d call herself somewhat muscular but otherwise average size.

What should we be looking at?

I’m 6’3 with broad shoulders - I def don’t expect us to share the same gun.

[McSull]

CZ Quail 20 gauge for about $650. Not sure what you consider entry level

[W2MC]

I'm far from an expert, and don't have much experience with shotguns for women, but a few suggestions:

-at 5'6", she may or may not benefit from a shorter stock. A typical 14" trigger reach may be to much for her.

-A 20 gauge will be much easier on her shoulder than a 12.

-A gas operated semi-auto is easier on the shoulder than an over/under.

-Take her somewhere like Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, where you can rent a shotgun for the day. I *believe* they rent nice, quality over/unders, but they may have others - and give it a try. Its a cheap way to find out if that is the shotgun for her (and you!).

Enjoy - Sporting Clays is a LOT of fun!


OH - and shotgun fit DOES MATTER. I had a beautiful Beretta that I picked-up second hand at a great price...but it didn't fit me. I just couldn't hit with it. It is now owned by a friend that it does fit and loves it. I found that I shoot an old Remington 1100 very well. Finding a good used shotgun is an excellent way to get a good gun at an affordable price.

[Curmudgeon]

I would seriously suggest finding a way to have her shoot your Ithaca
using shells meant for clay (as opposed to 3" magnum 00 buck).

The issue I foresee is that something like a 20ga might have her at a
disadvantage in her score.

My wife is also 5'6" and we are both in our 60's. The ONLY gun in our
household that she wants to shoot is the Mosin, and it's because of the
kick, not in spite of it. She loves it.
I'm quoting here, after shooting .22, .45, and 5.56, she tried the Mosin
with a metal plate at shoulder...
"Oh YEAH! Now I'm shooting a GUN!!"

Give her a chance, before you spend money you could be spending on
supplies. Or a nice dinner in appreciation of her. :wink:

[oldengineer]

Since she's probably not afraid of a 12 ga I have one of these ATi Calvary over/under that I like. Turkish made, select fire, smart eject, etc. That price is about what I paid for mine 5 years ago.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.p...+12+gauge+over

[JenniferG]

Anyone of the semi auto Turkish imports will be OK for a beginner. I'd go with the 12 gauge. Trap loads in a semi auto 12 are pretty slight. Your best bet is to go try on a few because fit and balance is extremely important.

[lprgcFrank]

20 ga semi auto is where we start kids as the action reduces felt recoil. as they progress, we move to the 12ga - the 1oz 7.5 shot loads are mild and plenty good for trap.

[shrewd]

Appreciate all the info

We*re definitely sticking with 12 gauge. More looking for suggestions of guns to try

[knight0334]

I'm far from an expert, and don't have much experience with shotguns for women, but a few suggestions:

-at 5'6", she may or may not benefit from a shorter stock. A typical 14" trigger reach may be to much for her.

-A 20 gauge will be much easier on her shoulder than a 12.

-A gas operated semi-auto is easier on the shoulder than an over/under.

-Take her somewhere like Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, where you can rent a shotgun for the day. I *believe* they rent nice, quality over/unders, but they may have others - and give it a try. Its a cheap way to find out if that is the shotgun for her (and you!).

Enjoy - Sporting Clays is a LOT of fun!


OH - and shotgun fit DOES MATTER. I had a beautiful Beretta that I picked-up second hand at a great price...but it didn't fit me. I just couldn't hit with it. It is now owned by a friend that it does fit and loves it. I found that I shoot an old Remington 1100 very well. Finding a good used shotgun is an excellent way to get a good gun at an affordable price.

About the 20 v 12 - not always. 20ga guns tend to be lighter weight, but some 20ga loads approach and exceed lower 12ga loads. A 20ga can recoil more than a 12ga. If you stick to clays/low birdshot - a 20ga is likely to recoil less. But if the gun weighs a lot less, the difference in recoil can be minor.

My aunt found that out after she sold me her 16ga singleshot to be able to fund a 20ga for clays. She found out that whatever 20ga she bought kicked more than the 16ga. She was still happy though because whatever type of clay shooting that she does needed the ability to fire subsequent rounds.

Since, I gave that 16ga to her grandson to keep it in the family. Originally was her brother's(my uncle), he gave it to my aunt. I gave it to my cousin's son for his birthday last fall.

[JoshIronshaft]

I agree, stick with 12ga. 20ga feels the same to me. Gas or inertia operated semiauto action is where you mitigate recoil. Also get a shotgun shooting vest with padded shoulder.