I am also posting this in the Guns section.

Looking into getting my wife a 20 ga. She has been shooting one of my 12 gauges for the last few years at doves, but the recoil is a bit more than she would like. Opportunity on a brand new Winchester 1300 with 3 different chokes for $350...decent deal and gun, or look for something else?

I just bought one that was like new also(12 gauge). I paid $275 for the shotgun with 3 chokes, and a sling. One of the choke tubes was a turkey full tube. IMO I got a steal. So $350 is not real far off.

One thing you want to remember. 1300's are not known for being a shotgun that has light recoil. Even in a 20 gauge. You might want to look at a gas operated automatic if recoil is really an issue. A 1300 in 20 gauge is still going to kick a good bit. Not like a 12. But still some recoil. Tom.

"....look at a gas operated (semi) automatic if recoil is really an issue." 0001

+1

Can't say it better than that !!!

Recoil is no major issue. She has been using my 12 gauge O/U the last few years, and can handle it. Only thing is that she gets a headache after a box or so of shooting. A bit sore too, but that is to be expected. She has mentioned wanting a "cheap 20ga", and I imagine that if I sprung for a high dollar one, the hard feelings would outweigh the excitement.

I had also looked at one of those Russian made Remington o/u's. She does like o/u's, but when I almost got her a Mossberg Silver Reserve a couple months back she said that she didn't want to spend that much money ($500) on one. So we are looking at probably no more than $400. At least not much over it. Thanks for the input, folks.

Take a look at the Weatherby youth 20 Guage SA-08.. I bought a synthetic one for my wife and she likes it.. They also have a prettier model in walnut.

Bible Man,

Which one is it ???

".....but the recoil is a bit more than she would like."

OR

"Recoil is no major issue."


I guess you should just buy her a cheap 20 gauge o/u then !

Lol...it is both. While it is no MAJOR issue, the 12 is a BIT more than she would like. We ended up getting her a Mossberg 500 20 ga. After handling several, this is the one she liked the best when comparing fit, looks and price. She is happy with it and killed a few doves with it. Thanks for the replies, folks.

$350 is a pretty good deal. I'd go for it.

Throw a good recoil pad on that 500, and a box of shells will go by without a flinch.