shot gun for small lady
 

Hi all. I am a very small lady about 5' tall and 100 lbs dripping wet. I want to learn how to clay target shoot with my teenage son and some day shoot some geese (wishful thinking?). I have never had a shot gun before and we have looked at pawn shops (for lower prices) and gun stores. Everything I pick up is too leavy or they tell me will kick me over. The only suggestion has been a gas powered Baretta which we can't begin to afford. We want to spend 2-300$ or less. Any suggestions? thank P. South

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

My sister is 5'1" and about 115#, and she shoots skeet with a 20 Guage, semi auto. I think its a Mossberg. Brand shouldn't matter that much, if your looking for price and guage as your main criteria. Do you want a pump, semi auto, over and under, double barrel? I don't shoot clay targets like my sister, so I don't know which type of action is preferrable. The NEF Pardner pump is very affordable, and 20 guage is probably fine. Other than that, you probably just have to shop around.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

I'm not sure the NEF Pardner would work for clays since it's a single shot.

I did some looking. I believe a youth model gun would fit you about right. Most MFG's offer a youth model. Although most that I found were expensive (around $600), I did find an autoloader youth model sold by traditions that isn't too far over your price limit.
It's the ALS 2100 Youth. The retail price is $479, which is over your price range, but you may be able to find a shop that can get one for a little cheaper.

You may also be able to ask a shop if they have any used youth model guns. This might be exactly what you need.

Good luck,

Slice

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

I would suggest a Mossberg Youth Model pump in 20 gauge. Inexpensive and they fit small people really well. I used to sell guns, and small stature women and kids really liked it over the Remington version due to the location of the fore grip. If you think it kicks, and it might since it's fairly light, you can take it to a competent gunsmith and have the rifle ported to reduce the felt recoil.

I would shy away from Traditions auto-loaders. Where I worked, we received three of them, and all three had to go back to the factory before they ever got put on the shelf.

One suggestion you might try, hang out at the club you plan to shoot clays at (take the boy and let him shoot). Talk to the shooters. Some would probably even let you shoot their guns to see what you can handle. Regardless, most would probably help you locate just the firearm for you.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

I would suggest a 870 express 20 ga youth model; Walmart carries youth models and they are about as cheap as it gets.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

They recently came out with the Pardner pump. I haven't heard or read any reviews of it though.

It kind of looks like a Model 12 Winchester, but I guess it only comes in 12 guage.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

If only you lived around here...We are trying to get rid of a shotgun that we have. Its a mossberg 20 gauge youth model. We would like to sell if for 150. Its the perfect gun to shoot I think for a lady or kids just starting out. It might not be a great gun for geese but it would do perfect for skeet and ducks and pheasants. Look around pawn shops as this gun is usually sold for around $200-300

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

I work at a comercial range and have seen more people start out shooting in a busy weekend than most will see in years.
IMHO a autoloading shotgun in a 20 ga. (some cases 28ga. is even better). Bite the bullet and spend a few extra dollars on a youth model auto than single shot or pumps. You can alway find a decent one used for a few dollars more than what you want to pay at the moment.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

My dad gave me a Remington 870 youth model 20 guage when I was 15 and it fit me great. I now have a 12 guage Winchester that I use for ducks, geese and the like, but for dove, other smaller birds and skeet, I still prefer my 870 youth model. I'm about 5'9" 170lbs now but I was much smaller then. The 870 is nothing fancy, but it is a great little gun for a good price that I think you would be able to enjoy. The 870 youth model 20 guage comes with a short barrel, short stock and a really thick recoil pad that takes out a good amount of the kick. It would be my personal recommendation for the price range you're looking at.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

i beleive it has already been suggested but i would go with the mossberg youth 20 guage pump

this was my first shotgun and served me well from the time i was 9 to 16

at 16 i finally gained some weight so i was able to move up to the 12 guage without being beat up to much

hope this helps

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

Hi Pilgrim South,

As was earlier mentioned a youth model Remington 870 Express chambered for 20 gauge (Wal Mart has them inexpensively) or a youth model Mossberg 20 gauge pump would probably be the least expensive way to start. (If you think you may be serious about sticking with clays, start with some type of repeater, not a single-shot.) But recoil will be a little more stout than with a semi-auto.

For a little more money a 20 gauge semi will help with recoil reduction. I have no experience with the Charles Daly line as sold by Wal Mart, but you might be able to get a youth model Charles Daly 20 gauge auto for close to the price range you're looking at. A Remington youth model 1100 semi-auto in 20 gauge will certainly cost more...but would last you for a lifetime of shooting!

A decent double will cost more yet!

Good luck with your search.

Dave

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

I wouldn't think you'd need more than a 20 Ga. for use on small ladies................Oh wait, nevermind.

Just kidding! Good luck with whatever you get.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

A couple years ago I was at a gun auction and saw a browning Auto 5 in 20 ga. Someone had trimmed the stock a bit and put on a thick recoil pad. I picked it up fairly cheap and had the steel reblued and I did the stock. It is a very sweet gun that my daughter and son use for birds.

Robin

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

how about a h&r 10 gague with a 36 inch barrell? :D

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

what kind of clays will you be shooting? competition? if just for fun and for hunting, try out a winchest 1300 youth ranger in 20 gauge. i think you will find the stock and forarm are perfect for your size. the stroke to cycle a shell is pretty short to so you will most likely find it comfortable. if competion and hunting, go with a semiauto. beretta makes a nice semiauto in youth. but for the money the winchester can't be beat for fit on a small shooter.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

As has been said. Buy a youth Mossberg 20. For beginers and everyone else, the safety and slide release are by far the safest and is very easy to operate. If you are going to be shooting forever. Save up and get a semi auto in a youth style, less recoil.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

Out of the two: Mossberg and Winchester, my vote would be for the Winchester. Mossbergs just seem to rattle apart too easily. The Winchester's bolt locks into the barrel so they can use an aluminum reciever making the gun a little lighter and probably easier to point and swing.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

Hi Pilgrim, welcome to the site. As has been mentioned on here other places, a Remington 870 Express pump action youth model would probably fit well, cost about $220-$250, and can be found at a lot of stores. Just shop around till you find the best price.
However, for a few more dollars I would recommend you shop around at gun stores and gun shows and look for a used Remington 1100. They will sell for $300-$450 depending on condition. For many years this was THE gun to shoot at skeet/trap when you were talking about autoloaders. They are very reliable, kick lightly, and if they do break almost any gunsmith can fix them up very quickly. Good luck with whatever you decide.

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

a real light gun is the franchi....i think they might not be the cheapest thing out there though....but they are affordable used.

second recomendation is 870 express 20ga youth. real reliable gun, doesnt kik too much, and cheap.;)

RE: shot gun for small lady
 

Based upon your budget; experience, and what you wish to do I would recommend a Mossberg® Mdl 500 Bantam. It has a shorter stock; and, the forearm is positioned closer to the receiver. They are available in both 12 & 20GA. The only thing you need the 12GA for is to shoot geese; and then only because of the steel shot requirement.

http://www.mossberg.com/bantam_diagram.htm

I'm 6'2" & 210lbs and I use a 20GA. My wife is about your size & build and she uses the 20GA. The 12GA kicks way too much for her.

You can also buy a Ladies/Youth Model from NEF in a 12, 20, 28, or 410GA for about $100. Great little gun but it's a single shot.

http://www.hr1871.com/firearms/index.php?cat=3&subcat=1