I usally would say for a woman to go to the youth model 20 ga.870,or the 1100.Depending how big she is.Or the regular 20ga.870 express.The 20 will do all needed to do ,a 3" 20ga shell is the same as a 12 ga 2 3/4 for getting most of what you need to get done. vangunsmith. less recoil