Turkey gun for my wife

[Olympus]

Hey guys, I'm hoping to get a jump on the spring turkey season and I want to get my wife her own turkey gun. We've been borrowing a neighbor's old Remington 20ga youth and it fits her perfectly. She hasn't had an opportunity to take a shot at a turkey yet, but I don't like borrowing from other people and I'd like to get her her own gun this year. I think I'm already decided on a Mossberg, just not sure what model. Right now I'm looking at these models:

500 Super Bantom 22" barrel with a stock spacer to get a shorter length of pull. Model number 54157.

510 Youth 18.5" barrel with a stock spacer to get a shorter length of pull. Model number 50497

Or if I thought she could handle the recoil of 12 gauge and the longer length of pull, I could bump her up to the 12ga 500 Grand Slam (that I shoot myself and LOVE), but I'm thinking the length of pull is going to be too long for her. She is 5' 3" tall and I'm betting she can handle the recoil ok, but the length of pull is going to be too long for her to be comfortable.

 

[Armored farmer]

Usually I steer people away from youth guns for kids. It has been my personal experience that kids grow quickly out of a youth gun in about three seasons.
I'm thinking that your mrs is likely done growing ,lol.

Get her a gun that fits her really well. That alleviates several problems from the beginning.

My hunting buddy swears by his 3inch 20ga. He uses it successfully to take turkeys, ducks, doves....
I would stick with a 20 until it was proven to be unsatisfactory.
....imho

 

[cdb1]

First of all I’d get her a gas operated semi to help with recoil. There are a number of compact semi’s made in 20 gauge and a few 12’s. Wood stocked shotguns can of course be cut down but plastic stocked shotguns can be cut down too.

I’ve been using a dedicated 20 gauge turkey gun for a few years now, a Weatherby SA-459. With TSS shot it will reach way out there if needed.

My grown daughter has one of the early Weatherby SA-08 20 gauge youth/compact models that is wood stocked. She uses it for everything but duck and geese and for that she has a Youth/Compact Winchester SX3 12 gauge. That model SX-3 is not made anymore but you can get a Compact SX-4 and a Compact Browning Silver in 20 and 12 gauge. The Silver, SX-3 and SX-4 are the same shotgun internally, the differences between the three are cosmetic.

Since you like Mossberg you could get a youth SA-20 or a 930 and have the stock cut down. I’ve never owned one but would also take a TriStar.

 

[Old Shooter]

Just buy your neighbors gun.

 

[Olympus]

Just buy your neighbors gun.

Tried that already. It’s not for sale. It was his son’s gun and the son isn’t interested in hunting anymore, but the neighbor doesn’t want to sell it either.

 

[Olympus]

First of all I’d get her a gas operated semi to help with recoil. There are a number of compact semi’s made in 20 gauge and a few 12’s. Wood stocked shotguns can of course be cut down but plastic stocked shotguns can be cut down too.

I’ve been using a dedicated 20 gauge turkey gun for a few years now, a Weatherby SA-459. With TSS shot it will reach way out there if needed.

My grown daughter has one of the early Weatherby SA-08 20 gauge youth/compact models that is wood stocked. She uses it for everything but duck and geese and for that she has a Youth/Compact Winchester SX3 12 gauge. That model SX-3 is not made anymore but you can get a Compact SX-4 and a Compact Browning Silver in 20 and 12 gauge. The Silver, SX-3 and SX-4 are the same shotgun internally, the differences between the three are cosmetic.

Since you like Mossberg you could get a youth SA-20 or a 930 and have the stock cut down. I’ve never owned one but would also take a TriStar.

Thanks for the suggestions, but I’m committed to pump action Mossberg.

 

[12Bravo20]

Either one of the Mossberg's you listed will work. I would let her handle each one to see which one she prefers. After looking on Mossberg website, I see that the 500 has longer length of pull than the 510. The 500 is 12"-13" while the 510 is 10.5"-11.5". I would definitely see which one fits her best.

I have a 500 in 12 and 410. They are good to go. I have had the 410 since about 1985 and have shot thousands of shells through it with no problems.

 

[jmr40]

I picked up one of the 870 youth guns in 20 ga a few years ago. My thoughts were that the short barrel and light weight would make a good turkey gun for me and make a good gun for the grandkids to shoot when they get older. I know that a lot of people turkey hunt with 20's, but my experience shooting it for patterns has NOT been encouraging. Even with 3" shells and an aftermarket turkey choke tube.

I carried it one year and went back to my 12 ga. I still have it for the grand kids to shoot.

Since a 20 will be at least 1 full pound lighter than a 12 it will recoil MORE unless you are shooting very light loads. But if you drop down to a 20 ga you really need to shoot the heavier 20 loads. Recoil will end up being about the same as a 12 shooting mid level 2 3/4" loads. And in my experience you'll have a much more effective gun with the 12. The real advantage of the 20 is a lighter gun to carry.

 

[George P]

I think I'm already decided on a Mossberg,

YOU decided? WHOSE gun is it going to be? Maybe you should let the wife decide. If that Remington fits her so well, buy one just like it.

Light guns shooting heavy loads are a great way to turn off a person to shooting. And there is a LOT more to shotgun fit than simply LOP, ESPECIALLY for female shooters who tend to have longer necks and shorter arms. The heaviest gun she can handle that fits, coupled with the lightest load that does the job (and no, a 3.5" shell is not needed to kill a turkey), mixed into a gas action gun will give her the least recoil, most enjoyment, and ensure she wants to do it again next time.

 

[Olympus]

YOU decided? WHOSE gun is it going to be? Maybe you should let the wife decide. If that Remington fits her so well, buy one just like it

The wife could care less what brand it is. I, on the other hand, do. The tang safety and pump trigger on the Mossberg is far more ergonomic than the Remington 870.

 

[George P]

The wife could care less what brand it is. I, on the other hand, do. The tang safety and pump trigger on the Mossberg is far more ergonomic than the Remington 870.

To YOU, what does SHE think? Remember, this is HER gun, not yours.
Try reading The CorneredCat.com about menfolks picking out their better half's guns. It need to fit her, she needs to feel comfortable shooting it with the loads intended to be used. She needs to determine which trigger and safety layout works best for her.

 

[Steve Traxler]

My father took many turkeys with his 20 gauge before he passed in 2005. All were taken with an old Rem 870 with 2 3/4” shells mod choke. I would definitely have her try a 12 gauge before moving her up. If the recoil is too much, a 20 gauge is a good option. As far as the gun any of the major manufacturers produce good quality pumps. I don’t think you could go wrong with a Mossberg, Rem. etc.

 

[DocRock]

Weatherby SA-08 20 ga, Sumtoy TSS choke, TSS shot.

Gas operated helps managing recoil, the TSS shot makes the 20ga (lighter to carry) very viable for Turkey, and Sumtoy's TSS patterned choke makes 50 yard kill shots much more likely.

A Remington 1100 youth 20 ga youth/ compact will.be a bit heavier - better for recoil, harder to carry.

 

[cdb1]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I’m committed to pump action Mossberg.

YOU decided? WHOSE gun is it going to be? Maybe you should let the wife decide. If that Remington fits her so well, buy one just like it.

Light guns shooting heavy loads are a great way to turn off a person to shooting. And there is a LOT more to shotgun fit than simply LOP, ESPECIALLY for female shooters who tend to have longer necks and shorter arms. The heaviest gun she can handle that fits, coupled with the lightest load that does the job (and no, a 3.5" shell is not needed to kill a turkey), mixed into a gas action gun will give her the least recoil, most enjoyment, and ensure she wants to do it again next time.

To YOU, what does SHE think? Remember, this is HER gun, not yours.
Try reading The CorneredCat.com about menfolks picking out their better half's guns. It need to fit her, she needs to feel comfortable shooting it with the loads intended to be used. She needs to determine which trigger and safety layout works best for her.

When I sold firearms for two years, when the husband came with the wife to pick out a firearm it quite often didn’t work out well. A couple of times the husband asks for my advice, my answer was go home, leave your wife here and she’ll call you to come pick her up when she’s made a decision. The point was driven home to me long before that when my daughter turned 21 and we went to buy her first handgun. I was having her hold some sub-compact .380’s when she finally turned to me and said dad you’re either forgetting something or you’ve never noticed that my hands are like granny’s. I’d never noticed but like my mother she has HUGE hands. You don’t notice it unless it’s pointed out but but she’s got some big mitts. I backed off and let her tell the salesman what she wanted to look at. She eventually pointed to a gun she wanted to try and once she handled it said “this is it” it feels like one of your guns I like to shoot. It was a Stoeger Cougar, I have a Beretta Cougar. They are the same gun.

Many women let their spouse decide on a firearm for them, not because they don’t care but because their spouse cares much more and it’s easier to go with the flow. To each his own. Your choices OP are not very good ones IMO but they are your choices. If I were in your shoes I’d have your wife try some shotguns and make her own choice even if she says she doesn’t care.

P.S. My daughter and mother have huge feet too - size 12AAAA for my mother and 12EE for my daughter.

 

[Cvans]

I wanted a shorter barreled 20 gauge so chose the Mossberg youth pump. Then purchased the full length butt stock. I'm 6'2" and 230 lbs. The gun fits me well and will work just as well in the brush. As long as there are adult stocks available I can't see outgrowing the gun as an issue. Keep in mind that I have never hunted Turkey's but I have to wonder, are 3" magnums really necessary to get the job done. If so a semi-auto would help with the recoil.

 

[Olympus]

I appreciate all the on-topic suggestions. I think it’s quite presumptuous for people to be telling me what I should and shouldn’t do regarding picking a gun for my wife though. I certainly didn’t ask for those kind of suggestions. I guess that’s the internet though.

 

[Cvans]

I certainly didn’t ask for those kind of suggestions. I guess that’s the internet though.

It just seems to work that way. If a person asks for suggestions for a reasonably priced SxS replies will start coming in about how you shouldn't buy anything less than a $4000.00 Italian gun. You just have to sort through the replies and use what's useful.
Hope you come up with something that fits your needs.

 

[bannockburn]

Olympus

Between the two you listed I think I would opt for the slightly longer length of pull with the Model 500 Youth Super Bantam Turkey. I also like the fiber optic sights it comes with. Might I also suggest getting her a PAST Recoil Shoulder Pad Shield. They're ambidextrous, comfortable to wear, and do a great job of mitigating felt recoil.

 

[cdb1]

I appreciate all the on-topic suggestions. I think it’s quite presumptuous for people to be telling me what I should and shouldn’t do regarding picking a gun for my wife though. I certainly didn’t ask for those kind of suggestions. I guess that’s the internet though.

Yes it is and the Internet is place where people express their opinions, especially on a website such as this one.

 

[George P]

It just seems to work that way. If a person asks for suggestions for a reasonably priced SxS replies will start coming in about how you shouldn't buy anything less than a $4000.00 Italian gun. You just have to sort through the replies and use what's useful.
Hope you come up with something that fits your needs.

I don't recall suggesting anything of the sort; only that the OP should let his wife pick out her gun. She might prefer the added recoil reduction of a gas semi......but, it seems, she won't get the chance to decide for herself.

 

[Olympus]

I don't recall suggesting anything of the sort; only that the OP should let his wife pick out her gun. She might prefer the added recoil reduction of a gas semi......but, it seems, she won't get the chance to decide for herself.

She's decided for herself on a handful of other guns that I tried discouraging, but they were what she "thought" she wanted. Only to find out that practical application was a whole lot different than just holding them in her hands. They then proceeded to sit in the safe, unused for a number of years until I finally decided to sell them. Just did that very thing this evening actually. Found one of her various CCWs that she just said felt amazing to her and was exactly what she wanted, a Ruger LC9s Pro. That made it out to one range session where she quickly realized that skinny, narrow backstrap that felt nice in her hand actually snapped and beat up the webbing of her hand to the point she didn't want to shoot it. It's been sitting in the safe for the last 5 years now. So no, she won't be getting the chance to decide for herself on this one because I know there's a huge difference in what she think she will like and what she will actually like in practice. I wasn't going to go down this road because, frankly, it's not relevant and nobody's business but it seems that I need to justify my action to some here.

 

[Olympus]

Olympus

Between the two you listed I think I would opt for the slightly longer length of pull with the Model 500 Youth Super Bantam Turkey. I also like the fiber optic sights it comes with. Might I also suggest getting her a PAST Recoil Shoulder Pad Shield. They're ambidextrous, comfortable to wear, and do a great job of mitigating felt recoil.

Yes sir, I believe you are right. After looking at the specs closer of the little 510 Mini, it's going to be way to small for her. I'm thinking that 500 Youth Super Bantam Turkey would be probably the best fit for her. It does have the spacer in the stock that can be removed or inserted to get a better length of pull fit for her. Also, the pump grip is located closer to the receiver to help keep her support arm from being too far extended. And I think another good point is that it's a standard 500 action so barrels and stocks can be swapped and a better selection of aftermarket parts available as compared to the 510 Mini. I already have a little Burris Fastfire 3 that isn't being used on anything, so maybe getting a rail to put on the 500 and mounting the Burris might be nice for her.

 

[jmorris]

What does she like? My Mother liked the .222.

I don’t like buying firearms for my wife, I will expose her to as many choices as I can but I make her pick. Keeps me from being wrong.

It would be nice if she reciprocated the notion and stopped buying be clothes, I never utilize.

How about, for the sake of argument, we reverse the roles and tell your wife you are going to pick the perfect single purse for her by asking a group of guys what she should have.

If she thinks that’s a great idea, go get fertility drugs and propagate, for the sake of all males in the future.

 

[cdb1]

She's decided for herself on a handful of other guns that I tried discouraging, but they were what she "thought" she wanted. Only to find out that practical application was a whole lot different than just holding them in her hands. They then proceeded to sit in the safe, unused for a number of years until I finally decided to sell them. Just did that very thing this evening actually. Found one of her various CCWs that she just said felt amazing to her and was exactly what she wanted, a Ruger LC9s Pro. That made it out to one range session where she quickly realized that skinny, narrow backstrap that felt nice in her hand actually snapped and beat up the webbing of her hand to the point she didn't want to shoot it. It's been sitting in the safe for the last 5 years now. So no, she won't be getting the chance to decide for herself on this one because I know there's a huge difference in what she think she will like and what she will actually like in practice. I wasn't going to go down this road because, frankly, it's not relevant and nobody's business but it seems that I need to justify my action to some here.

Point taken. There are exceptions to every rule. So the only thing we can fight about now is pump vs gas semi.

 

[tmd16556]

So I don’t think recoil should be as big a concern in a turkey gun to justify the expense of a semi auto over a pump. You only fire one shot maybe two on a turkey hunt so it’s not like a dove gun you may fire 50-100 times in a day. Holding the shotgun on target is the bigger limitation. I’d start looking at a 12 ga pump and if it’s too heavy for her to hold for long look at 3 in capable 20 gauges. Then fit the load to her recoil tolerance testing patterns. 12 gauge gives more load options but a 3 in 20 can match a 12 but is harder to find.