Tim the student
Member
They can kick a lot, but they don't have to. There are a lot of variables that come into play, like how the gun fits you, how much it weighs, and what type of rounds you are firing.
I'm not trying to sway you one way or another - get what you like. Not much worse than having a gun you don't really like, or like to shoot.
I'm just saying that 12's aren't necessarily horrible to shoot. I've shot really light weight 20's that I wouldn't want to shoot all day. (With everything else being equal, the lighter gun will have more felt recoil. For example, a 5 pound 12 guage that fits you a certain way will be have more kick to it than a 9 pound gun with the same fit with the same shells.)
Is there any way you have a range that might rent guns for you to try (they probably will not have any expresses, but they may have a wingmaster), or have a buddy or family member who has an 870 you could shoot? I about guarantee if you ask, and post your location that someone here would meet up with and let you shoot theirs. (I'm in Waterloo, IA for that matter, if you are interested.)
I'm not trying to sway you one way or another - get what you like. Not much worse than having a gun you don't really like, or like to shoot.
I'm just saying that 12's aren't necessarily horrible to shoot. I've shot really light weight 20's that I wouldn't want to shoot all day. (With everything else being equal, the lighter gun will have more felt recoil. For example, a 5 pound 12 guage that fits you a certain way will be have more kick to it than a 9 pound gun with the same fit with the same shells.)
Is there any way you have a range that might rent guns for you to try (they probably will not have any expresses, but they may have a wingmaster), or have a buddy or family member who has an 870 you could shoot? I about guarantee if you ask, and post your location that someone here would meet up with and let you shoot theirs. (I'm in Waterloo, IA for that matter, if you are interested.)