Suggestions for a light-weight shotgun?

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traveler106

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My girlfriend likes going to the range with me, but she doesn't like shooting trap--which is my favorite range activity--because both of my shotguns (Remington 870 and Mossberg 500) are too heavy for her (she's very petit). She doesn't have a problem with the recoil, she just can't hold the shotgun in a ready position and she can't swing it up fast enough.

Can anyone suggest a lighter shotgun in the inexpensive range that she might have an easier time with? I'm pretty sure she could handle a .410, but those seem to be uncommon (the only one I saw for sale in this area had too short a barrel for trap, anyway). Are 20 gauges significantly lighter than 12 gauges? I've seen a few of those on the shelves.
 
What's your price range?
Benelli makes an Ultra Light for a bit over $1,500, but I'm going to assume this is a bit out of your "inexpensive" price range ;)

Your best bet is probably going to be with a semi auto as pumps are usually heavier.

Franchi makes a decently balanced line called the Affinity that isn't incredibly hard on the wallet. One should run you about $400.

Give us a price range and we can probably help out more.

BTW, how tall is she? We need to figure out length as well.
Once you have a few suggestions have her accompany you to your LGS and see how a few fit.
 
Eek, just re-looked up the price on the Affinity and it's actually MSRP for $850. My bad. Gunwatcher has a few going for just under $600.
They do have a 20 gauge that is 26 inch (O.A.L. 47.25 inches) and 5.6 pounds.

There's a compact model for $50 more that is 5.5 pounds, 24 inches (about 44 O.A.L.).
 
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Lighter weight is going to equal more recoil. Also, a longer stock gives the guns weight more leverage. Just for grins, have her practice throwing up the gun and calling for the target quickly. Trying to hold up a gun leads to many women and kids starting to lean back to compensate. When my girls were learning I did this with my LT 20 1100 with a youth stock and it worked well.
 
We have a few Remington 870 20 gauge at the range and they're a bit shorter than the regular 12. Has she been able to shoulder one of these?
 
Take her to your local sports store, Bass Pro, Gander Mt, etc. Have her get her hands on a few. Nothing like holding, pointing a few.
 
Benelli or Franchi 20ga. There's a company called TriStar that's makeing a semi 20ga and it will shoot if you keep the action spring and tube clean, they have a 5yr warranty. I think they sell for $500 new.
 
If budget wasn't an issue, I'd suggest a Benelli - at 5.5lbs for a 20ga they're pretty 'female friendly'. On a budget, you'll likely find that an 870 20ga isn't bad, at just over six pounds.

I'm actually very partial to the Franchi 48AL in 20ga - they're just over 5lbs - but they're neither as inexpensive as the 870 nor as durable as the Benelli. My last 48AL broke the receiver at the action spring tube, and since it's part of the receiver instead of a soldered in piece like the Auto5, it's can't be fixed. The whole receiver was a loss.
 
You might also consider a 28, especially in lieu of a 410. Guns can range from very light to being on a 20 gauge frame, recoil will act accordingly.
 
She's about 5 feet tall and she has a small frame.

Virginian: Hehe, yeah, she'll start to do that leaning-back thing, too, but I correct her when she does so she won't knock herself over.

A 28 gauge might be the way to go. I noticed that Remington makes a 28-gauge 870. Does anyone have one of those?
 
I do - a Wingmaster with the mahogany lightweight furniture. It's light, but it is based on the 20ga frame so it's not actually *that* much lighter than a basic 870 20ga.

In general, Wingmasters will be about a quarter pound lighter than their Express counterparts, due to difference in finish machining and such on the common parts (receiver, et al.) and the fact that many of the older Wingmasters came with plain/no-rib barrels.
 
+1 on the LT-20, I have a Franchi 720 that is pretty sweet. My dtr in law loves my 20 gauge over under. A youth 20 gauge or Over under with a shortened stock.
 
Since you say she is only 5 feet tall, I would suggest the Mossberg 500 Bantam model in 20 gauge. The stock has a shorter length of pull.
 
That Mossberg Bantam 20 gauge looks like a pretty good match. I'll have to find a local shop that carries them so she can hold one and see how it suits her. Thanks!
 
traveler106 said:
That Mossberg Bantam 20 gauge looks like a pretty good match. I'll have to find a local shop that carries them so she can hold one and see how it suits her. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Good choice!!!! My girlfriend is also 5 foot and petite. Length of pull was key, not necessarily the weight. But lighter means more kick, and for a 105 pounder, even a little recoil hurts!!!
 
The issue with your girl friend is probably more fit than weight but if you want a light weight shotgun look for an Ithica Featherweight. Have the stock shortened to fit her and a limb saver put on it to help with the recoil. You can find these in both 20 and 12. The 12ga is pretty brutal without a good recoil pad, even with relatively light trap loads.
 
Weatherby has a very nice 20 and 28 gauge out right now, they weigh in at 6 or less then that. Both Autoloaders, SA-08. Not fantastically expensive but they are not cheap either. (500-700).

I have one in 28 gauge on my shortlist for my daughter to start with once I clear a spot in my safe next month.
 
Keep an eye out for a used 1100 LT-20. I picked one up a couple years ago for $150.
Click to expand...

I paid three times that, then some for our Remington 1100 LT-20 Special (English stock) semi-auto 20 guage shotgun.
I bought it for my wife to use when she wants to learn. Meanwhile, it is a diminutive piece; somewhat of a youth model length-of-pull. It's a great shotgun! and I'm glad to own it.

My wife is 5'1" and this shotgun seems to fit her well. Just waiting for her "mind to come right", see. Hahaha... not and will not force the issue.

:)
 
I just took a first time female shooter to the range this AM - she's 5'4" and maybe 130lbs. She vastly preferred the 870 Wingmaster 28ga to the Benelli M2 Field 20ga, both from a recoil standpoint and from an ability to hold it up.

Both shotguns weigh about the same but the Wingmaster has far less weight out front. The rearward balance of the 28ga Wingmaster may not be my favorite choice for snap shooting in the field, but for getting her used to shooting clays on a casual range, it was the perfect choice.

Just an FYI.
 
Maybe give the Mossberg SA-20 Youth a look.
The semi action will soak up some of the recoil. Which will definitely help with a lighter gun.
24" barrel will reduce weight at the very front of the gun where it is most noticable. The shorter stock should help too.

Mossberg's site lists the SA-20 Youth at 5.5lbs vs the 500 Field's 7.5 lbs.
And an MSRP of $543 with obviously a lower street price means it's just barely more expensive than your typical pump.

People say shorter barrels aren't good for clays. And they certainly have more experience at it than me. But I personally bust em better with the 18" cylinder barrel on my SXP vs the 26" Full or modified. It's all about the shooter. If she picks the right chokes and practices. The 24" will hardly be an issue I bet.
 
Actually the Remington 870 and 1100 "Lightweights" in 20 gauge are built on what was originally the 28/410 size receiver. When they were investigating the introduction of a new 20 gauge size they decided to try it since the receiver is all steel. Total success with the 870, but they had to go back a few years later and change the 1100LW to the LT design because of a few issues.
A used Wingmaster or 1100 in 20 or 28, with a youth stock should do you well. 1100 is a little heavier, but it will shoot as soft load for load as any gun going. That steel action sleeve really eats recoil. You may find you like shooting a 20 as well. I rarely shoot a 12 gauge anymore for anything but waterfowl hunting. 20 does fine on targets and other game.
 
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