Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! - The Firearms Forum

bluesea112 · 09-05-2011, 02:06 AM

I'm standing at my reloading table today loading up some dove shells for the afternoon hunt, when all of a sudden my girlfriend tells me that she wants a shotgun! It took me a minute to compute what she had said, because it was exactly opposite of everything my brain has been taught for the past 5 years. I flashed back to the day that I found out the rifleman was gay, and I'm sure my reaction was the same.

So anyway, this leaves me with some very important decisions to make. What brand? Semi or pump? Synthetic or wood?

I would really like to hear your opinions on the above questions.

What I do know is that she needs a 20 gauge. I am leaning towards a semi-auto because I want her to enjoy shooting it without it bruising her shoulder. If it breaks a nail or bruises her shoulder, then she will never shoot it again.

I am very familiar with the 1100 and 1187, but I just don't have $700.00 to spend on a shotgun. Are there any other manufacturers who make a reliable 20 gauge semi auto besides Remington that cost less?

I would like to keep the price between $200 - $400. I would love to find a nice used Remington in that price range, but I don't know if that is possible.

If I can match her to a shotgun and take her dove hunting with me just one time, then I think she would be hooked. It is a far stretch, but my goal is to someday have her ask me to take her duck hunting. (not me having to ask her)

Your thoughts?

goofy · 09-05-2011, 06:32 AM

Hi blueseal112. As for new, mossberg i think is the cheeper semi autos(in cost).As for used you can get one for the price you want(I do not have any used semi autos in stock or i would hook you up)They sell quick!. You can try *** ******* they have a few for sale.But befor you start see if you can use a friends 20 let her shoot it and watch her face if she smiles after shooting you have a shooting partner and if she looks like god just struck her down it could be her last shot.I went thru this with both my daughter and my wife my daughter can out shoot me any day, and my wife says her shoulder still hurts and is still mad i let her try it.So i gess what i am saying is let her try it out and find out she can handle it befor you buy one for her.If you want to buy a new one pm me i will tell you what they cost me so you will have a better idea when you go out looking what they really cost.Remember semi autos are the most expensive.then comes doubbles and pumps.Then you have single shots that are the cheepest...GOOFY

Alpo · 09-05-2011, 07:35 AM

Unless your girl is really small (my brother's wife, for example, is about 5 foot and about 80 pounds) I don't see why you'd need a 20. My daughter - 5 sixish, hundred and twentish - shoots a 12 with no problems.

12s do have more recoil than 20s, but they are also heavier, so they don't actually kick as much. Adding a pad helps, as does lead in the butt. Replacing the plastic magazine plug with a piece of bar stock (available at home depot) will also help. Assuming that she has the strength to carry the heavier gun.

Since you load, load up some Winchester Featherlite equivalents, and let her shoot your gun. You might be surprised. And if you're only going to have one gun, whatever a 20 will do, a 12 will do better.

Shep · 09-05-2011, 08:50 AM

I`d see if I could find a good used Remington 1100. 20ga 1100s are harder to find than 12ga, but they are out there.
The 1100 in 12ga really doesn`t have that much recoil. Especially if you use target loads. I`ve never even bothered to put a recoil pad on mine.
Good used 1100s can be had for reasonable prices.

carver · 09-05-2011, 08:59 AM

The older used Remington 1100's should go for around $300. My brother bought one this past spring for that price, and there were several to choose from at the Gun Show we were at. A 12ga shouldn't kick to hard with the light loads. Shooting a 20ga is a lot like shooting a .410, IMHO, in that the shot will go just as far, but the shot will be in a much tighter group down range, makeing it harder to hit targets at distance. It shoots more like a rifle to me. And be sure to tell her we said Hello!

BillM · 09-05-2011, 10:08 AM

My 2 ¢: 12 ga pump. Yes--a gas operated auto will recoil less, but there is
method to my madness.

Sounds like you already are set up to reload 12 ga. With a manually operated gun,
you can load that sucker W-A-Y down. The Brits did it by going to shorter shells,
you can do it with the right wad combo. Get as light a gun as you can find. They
are easy to make heavier---difficult to lighten up.

bluesea112 · 09-05-2011, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the reply guys. Y'all have made a very good point about sticking to a twelve gauge. I didn't even think about reducing the loads to manage the recoil. I am using "Universal", so I could reduce the powder gn from 25 gn to 21 gn and still get 1200 fps. I'm glad I ran this by you guys, because you got back on the right path.
I am going to stick with what I am familiar with and look for a nice used 1100 or 1187.

Carver, Mindy said to tell you "hello" too.

Shep, that is a nice looking 1100. Would you like to help support introducing a new female to the sport of shooting, and gain a female gun rights advocate by selling your shotgun to me?

JLA · 09-05-2011, 04:55 PM

Hey charles. Next time I come down ill bring becks 870 ladies model 20 ga. and leave it with you. you can take her out back and let her run it for a bit. Beck loves it, Id bet mindy would too.

ka64 · 09-05-2011, 04:57 PM

You ought to Marry that Girl..................

JLA · 09-05-2011, 05:00 PM

They are as good as married KA, mindy and charles are 2 peas in a pod.. beatn the hell outta one another one day and lovin the hell outta each other the next. Those 2 are great!

ka64 · 09-05-2011, 05:03 PM

[QUOTE=JLA;789180]They are as good as married KA, mindy and charles are 2 peas in a pod.. beatn the hell outta one another one day and lovin the hell outta each other the next.

Remindes me of the WIFE..........

Country101 · 09-05-2011, 07:51 PM

Heck, while you got approval, buy two! Claim that you are getting them so that if she dont like one, she'll have another option!

Shep · 09-06-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesea112

Shep, that is a nice looking 1100. Would you like to help support introducing a new female to the sport of shooting, and gain a female gun rights advocate by selling your shotgun to me?

I`ve had that Remington since 1978. Afraid the only way anyone will ever get that one is at my estate sale. Hopefully not any time soon.

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 09-07-2011, 11:20 AM

If you are looking into used, look into a Winchester 1200 or 1300. I can change the barrel from the stock 28" to a 26" or 18" barrel. It's a pump and comes in 12ga and 20ga, mine is a 20ga.

whirley · 09-07-2011, 12:01 PM

Unless she is tiny, get her a 12 gauge and use trap or field loads for her. There isn't any APPPARENT difference in recoil with the 20 gauge. Don't handicap her with fewer pellets per shell. A good semi-auto will spread the recoil over a longer time period. Over the years I've competed with many women shooting trap. Remember, shootinng is one sport that requires skill and concentration, not muscle and many women are great competitors.

mr.t7024 · 09-10-2011, 04:54 PM

I am partial to o/u. Mossberg imports them along with Savage.I also own a Stoeger o/u in .410. A 20 guage o/u is nice and the kick is marginal. By the way,you can't beat them for safety. Do take a look and bring the GF along to make sure what ever you buy fits her!

You will like the prices.

brad87 · 09-11-2011, 06:16 AM

Especially if you're already setup to reload, you can't go wrong with an 1100, in either 12 or 20 (I still love my 1100 20 gauge, only gun I'll use for pheasant). The biggest thing is getting the right size fit, my wife has a hard time handling my BPS, but the 1100 has a bit smaller frame, and fits her alright, if slightly long (although she doesn't like the weight that much...can't win em all i guess)

J.D. Bass · 09-11-2011, 10:17 AM

I got a 20 gauge for my wife a few years ago. She's a shorty so I finally found a used youth pump action. Its a Winchester Ranger 120. It is short and fits her well. She likes to squirrel hunt with me sometimes so it has worked out really well.

evan03 · 09-11-2011, 08:00 PM

a beneli yourth model. im searchn for a pic now. she wants nothig but the best
http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/b...ltra_light.php
maybe that one
im searching for something with a 12.5" lenght of pull

http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/b...ontefeltro.php

jstgsn · 09-11-2011, 08:42 PM

WHOA!!!!

WHAT???

NO!!!!!

the rifleman was gay?!?! but he had a son??? Oh, you mean off the set...
But he was as handsome as Rock Hudson......

ohhhh......

Back to the gun. I just bought a Mossberg youth model 20 ga pump, for $239 and it is predrilled for a scope, comes with three chokes, works great and I like it for home defense as it is so nice to swing in the hallway. Plus you get a coupon for a discount on a full size stock. Then after you get married and have kids, and she gets a full time job,you can pass the gun down and buy her a nice Benelli. Don't buy her a Franchi 20ga. They are light, but they kick like a mule and you can't shoot light loads.

Chuck was gay???
Are you sure!

langenc · 09-11-2011, 08:53 PM

Whatever she ends up with make sure the stock is not to long. If she cant shoulder it properly it will kick the hexx out of her and she will be frustrated. May have to get a youth model-870 20 ga used to make em.

That would be an excellent gun for a small person-perhaps she dont need that but make sure any gun fits with the clothing she will be wearing while shooting it.

A rifle will come along soon if the shotgun goes good.

Good luck.

evan03 · 09-11-2011, 09:10 PM

married and kids and full time job??? what world are you living in.

you better treat this like a second engagement ring and spend more then you can make in a few months

tomingreeneco · 09-12-2011, 11:11 PM

A got my wife a Stoeger 20 gauge Coach Gun. She loves it!

doubleslover · 09-13-2011, 04:16 PM

If you don't reload, start her off with Winchester's AA low recoil, low noise loads. They were designed to get people interested in shooting who are of slender build. Won't kick near as much as regular shells.

09-05-2011, 02:06 AM	#1
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! I'm standing at my reloading table today loading up some dove shells for the afternoon hunt, when all of a sudden my girlfriend tells me that she wants a shotgun! It took me a minute to compute what she had said, because it was exactly opposite of everything my brain has been taught for the past 5 years. I flashed back to the day that I found out the rifleman was gay, and I'm sure my reaction was the same. So anyway, this leaves me with some very important decisions to make. What brand? Semi or pump? Synthetic or wood? I would really like to hear your opinions on the above questions. What I do know is that she needs a 20 gauge. I am leaning towards a semi-auto because I want her to enjoy shooting it without it bruising her shoulder. If it breaks a nail or bruises her shoulder, then she will never shoot it again. I am very familiar with the 1100 and 1187, but I just don't have $700.00 to spend on a shotgun. Are there any other manufacturers who make a reliable 20 gauge semi auto besides Remington that cost less? I would like to keep the price between $200 - $400. I would love to find a nice used Remington in that price range, but I don't know if that is possible. If I can match her to a shotgun and take her dove hunting with me just one time, then I think she would be hooked. It is a far stretch, but my goal is to someday have her ask me to take her duck hunting. (not me having to ask her) Your thoughts? --> Last edited by bluesea112; 09-05-2011 at 02:07 AM..

09-05-2011, 06:32 AM	#2
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,021	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Hi blueseal112. As for new, mossberg i think is the cheeper semi autos(in cost).As for used you can get one for the price you want(I do not have any used semi autos in stock or i would hook you up)They sell quick!. You can try * ***** they have a few for sale.But befor you start see if you can use a friends 20 let her shoot it and watch her face if she smiles after shooting you have a shooting partner and if she looks like god just struck her down it could be her last shot.I went thru this with both my daughter and my wife my daughter can out shoot me any day, and my wife says her shoulder still hurts and is still mad i let her try it.So i gess what i am saying is let her try it out and find out she can handle it befor you buy one for her.If you want to buy a new one pm me i will tell you what they cost me so you will have a better idea when you go out looking what they really cost.Remember semi autos are the most expensive.then comes doubbles and pumps.Then you have single shots that are the cheepest...GOOFY Last edited by Shooter45; 09-05-2011 at 06:36 AM.. Reason: By Passing Auto Censor NOT Allowed

09-05-2011, 07:35 AM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,661	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Unless your girl is really small (my brother's wife, for example, is about 5 foot and about 80 pounds) I don't see why you'd need a 20. My daughter - 5 sixish, hundred and twentish - shoots a 12 with no problems. 12s do have more recoil than 20s, but they are also heavier, so they don't actually kick as much. Adding a pad helps, as does lead in the butt. Replacing the plastic magazine plug with a piece of bar stock (available at home depot) will also help. Assuming that she has the strength to carry the heavier gun. Since you load, load up some Winchester Featherlite equivalents, and let her shoot your gun. You might be surprised. And if you're only going to have one gun, whatever a 20 will do, a 12 will do better. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

09-05-2011, 08:50 AM	#4
Shep V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 216	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! I`d see if I could find a good used Remington 1100. 20ga 1100s are harder to find than 12ga, but they are out there. The 1100 in 12ga really doesn`t have that much recoil. Especially if you use target loads. I`ve never even bothered to put a recoil pad on mine. Good used 1100s can be had for reasonable prices. __________________ Wisdom does not come with age. It`s just that as you get older you become physically less capable of acting stupid.

09-05-2011, 08:59 AM	#5
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,254	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! The older used Remington 1100's should go for around $300. My brother bought one this past spring for that price, and there were several to choose from at the Gun Show we were at. A 12ga shouldn't kick to hard with the light loads. Shooting a 20ga is a lot like shooting a .410, IMHO, in that the shot will go just as far, but the shot will be in a much tighter group down range, makeing it harder to hit targets at distance. It shoots more like a rifle to me. And be sure to tell her we said Hello! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

09-05-2011, 10:08 AM	#6
BillM V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Amity Orygun Posts: 380	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! My 2 ¢: 12 ga pump. Yes--a gas operated auto will recoil less, but there is method to my madness. Sounds like you already are set up to reload 12 ga. With a manually operated gun, you can load that sucker W-A-Y down. The Brits did it by going to shorter shells, you can do it with the right wad combo. Get as light a gun as you can find. They are easy to make heavier---difficult to lighten up.

09-05-2011, 10:32 AM	#7
bluesea112 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: West, TX Contributor Posts: 1,257	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Thanks for the reply guys. Y'all have made a very good point about sticking to a twelve gauge. I didn't even think about reducing the loads to manage the recoil. I am using "Universal", so I could reduce the powder gn from 25 gn to 21 gn and still get 1200 fps. I'm glad I ran this by you guys, because you got back on the right path. I am going to stick with what I am familiar with and look for a nice used 1100 or 1187. Carver, Mindy said to tell you "hello" too. Shep, that is a nice looking 1100. Would you like to help support introducing a new female to the sport of shooting, and gain a female gun rights advocate by selling your shotgun to me? Last edited by bluesea112; 09-05-2011 at 10:35 AM..

09-05-2011, 04:55 PM	#8
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Hey charles. Next time I come down ill bring becks 870 ladies model 20 ga. and leave it with you. you can take her out back and let her run it for a bit. Beck loves it, Id bet mindy would too. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-05-2011, 04:57 PM	#9
ka64 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Contributor Posts: 1,412	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! You ought to Marry that Girl..................

09-05-2011, 05:00 PM	#10
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,315	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! They are as good as married KA, mindy and charles are 2 peas in a pod.. beatn the hell outta one another one day and lovin the hell outta each other the next. Those 2 are great! __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

09-05-2011, 05:03 PM	#11
ka64 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Contributor Posts: 1,412	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! [QUOTE=JLA;789180]They are as good as married KA, mindy and charles are 2 peas in a pod.. beatn the hell outta one another one day and lovin the hell outta each other the next. Remindes me of the WIFE..........

09-05-2011, 07:51 PM	#12
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,028	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Heck, while you got approval, buy two! Claim that you are getting them so that if she dont like one, she'll have another option! __________________ Gainfully employed= shooting somebody elses bullets and getting paid for it Country101

09-07-2011, 11:20 AM	#14
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,832	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! If you are looking into used, look into a Winchester 1200 or 1300. I can change the barrel from the stock 28" to a 26" or 18" barrel. It's a pump and comes in 12ga and 20ga, mine is a 20ga. __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service Last edited by Mosin_Nagant_Fan; 09-12-2011 at 07:58 PM..

09-07-2011, 12:01 PM	#15
whirley V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Contributor Posts: 457	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Unless she is tiny, get her a 12 gauge and use trap or field loads for her. There isn't any APPPARENT difference in recoil with the 20 gauge. Don't handicap her with fewer pellets per shell. A good semi-auto will spread the recoil over a longer time period. Over the years I've competed with many women shooting trap. Remember, shootinng is one sport that requires skill and concentration, not muscle and many women are great competitors.

09-10-2011, 04:54 PM	#16
mr.t7024 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near a brook & pond in Ma Posts: 734	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! I am partial to o/u. Mossberg imports them along with Savage.I also own a Stoeger o/u in .410. A 20 guage o/u is nice and the kick is marginal. By the way,you can't beat them for safety. Do take a look and bring the GF along to make sure what ever you buy fits her! You will like the prices.

09-11-2011, 06:16 AM	#17
brad87 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 85	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Especially if you're already setup to reload, you can't go wrong with an 1100, in either 12 or 20 (I still love my 1100 20 gauge, only gun I'll use for pheasant). The biggest thing is getting the right size fit, my wife has a hard time handling my BPS, but the 1100 has a bit smaller frame, and fits her alright, if slightly long (although she doesn't like the weight that much...can't win em all i guess)

09-11-2011, 10:17 AM	#18
J.D. Bass V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 218	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! I got a 20 gauge for my wife a few years ago. She's a shorty so I finally found a used youth pump action. Its a Winchester Ranger 120. It is short and fits her well. She likes to squirrel hunt with me sometimes so it has worked out really well. Attached Images

09-11-2011, 08:00 PM	#19
evan03 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Idaho, its better here Posts: 211	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! a beneli yourth model. im searchn for a pic now. she wants nothig but the best http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/b...ltra_light.php maybe that one im searching for something with a 12.5" lenght of pull http://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/b...ontefeltro.php Last edited by evan03; 09-11-2011 at 08:14 PM..

09-11-2011, 08:42 PM	#20
jstgsn Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Milford, Delaware Contributor Posts: 1,273	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! WHOA!!!! WHAT??? NO!!!!! the rifleman was gay?!?! but he had a son??? Oh, you mean off the set... But he was as handsome as Rock Hudson...... ohhhh...... Back to the gun. I just bought a Mossberg youth model 20 ga pump, for $239 and it is predrilled for a scope, comes with three chokes, works great and I like it for home defense as it is so nice to swing in the hallway. Plus you get a coupon for a discount on a full size stock. Then after you get married and have kids, and she gets a full time job,you can pass the gun down and buy her a nice Benelli. Don't buy her a Franchi 20ga. They are light, but they kick like a mule and you can't shoot light loads. Chuck was gay??? Are you sure! __________________ Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he will just kill you.

09-11-2011, 08:53 PM	#21
langenc V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 412	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! Whatever she ends up with make sure the stock is not to long. If she cant shoulder it properly it will kick the hexx out of her and she will be frustrated. May have to get a youth model-870 20 ga used to make em. That would be an excellent gun for a small person-perhaps she dont need that but make sure any gun fits with the clothing she will be wearing while shooting it. A rifle will come along soon if the shotgun goes good. Good luck.

09-11-2011, 09:10 PM	#22
evan03 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Idaho, its better here Posts: 211	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! married and kids and full time job??? what world are you living in. you better treat this like a second engagement ring and spend more then you can make in a few months

09-12-2011, 11:11 PM	#23
tomingreeneco Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Greene County PA Posts: 11	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! A got my wife a Stoeger 20 gauge Coach Gun. She loves it!

09-13-2011, 04:16 PM	#24
doubleslover V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 213	Re: Out of the Blue my girlfriend said she wants a shotgun! If you don't reload, start her off with Winchester's AA low recoil, low noise loads. They were designed to get people interested in shooting who are of slender build. Won't kick near as much as regular shells.