[Okiecruffler]

The Wife has decided she needs a pump SG for home defense, and She wants me to go out and buy one post-haste. Problem is, She also thinks it needs to have a PG, and I'm not talking about the good ones, I'm talking about the hollywierd terminator type. You know, the ones that you can shoot one handed and they absorb all recoil. Anyhow, here's my idea...

Every pawn shop within a 12 mile radius has a slew of J.C. Higgens/Western Feild/Sears pumps. Some of them look pretty mechanically sound, even if not the prettiest girl at the dance. Several of these can be had for $80+tax. I'm seriously considering one of these for several reasons.

1) Most of these are heavy, even after I trim the barrel back to bear min, they should have enough heft to help recoil.

2) They are cheap, this money is coming out of my Contender barrel fund which is shallow enough as it is.

3) Perhaps most importantly, No One in their right mind would make a PG for one of these. And if I can't get one, I can't very well put one on it, now can I?

Anyhow, just an idea.

[stevelyn]

Pistol grips on a shotgun = bad idea. The recoil is horrible and precludes sight use and any meaningful practice and patterning. Chop the barrel, keep the full size stock and maybecut it back a tad if you want a shorter LOP, and spend the money on a Sure-Fire or similar light set up for the forearm.

[sm]

I would borrow a PG shotgun and let the Mrs. shoot it. Use target loads as to not be mean and she can't blame you later. I assure you that hollyweird pg idea will be scratched.

Especially if you happen to borrow a full stocked 12 or 20 at the same time.

She may not say it to you but that look means "my hubby is so smart for not listening to me". :p

Then pick the best wood for her and fit as need.

[Preacherman]

I second Steve's idea. Letting her actually shoot a PG shotgun will rapidly and permanently cure her of any wrong ideas about them! Personally, I'd get a duck gun chambered in 3½" Magnum, pop a PG on it, and let her fire a round one-handed using the biggest, baddest, meanest, recoil-stompin' 3½" duck load you can find. Instant cure - and the carpal tunnel syndrome will go away after a few months! :D

[sm]

[ For the Record I want it duly noted that I suggested target loads and being courteous and respectful]

IF that don't work, listen to guy with the tight collar :D

[cslinger]

Pistol grip only shotguns are the nastiest things I have ever shot. Uncomfortable, inaccurate and downright painful.

Full stock and pistol grip is fine but PG only I don't think so.

Chris

[Coronach]

What she might like is a shotgun with a Compstock. They may make a full-stocked PG version. From what I've heard, they realy soak up the recoil.

But, uh...I'll 3rd or 4th the idea that PG-only is baaaaad.

Mike

[OEF_VET]

PG only = very, very bad idea grasshopper.
PG / folding stock shotgun = not much better idea.

If you do get a shotgun w/ a PG, don't shoot it at face level with just the PG. Take it from me, once it comes back and jars your teeth, you'll do two things: 1) regret doing it, and 2) look around sheepishly, hoping no one else saw it. You'll never do it twice.

I have a Mossberg 500 w/ side-folding stock and PG, and I use it as my primary HD long gun. I like the idea of the compact platform for an environment as tight as my apartment. However, since it'll be at point blank range, I don't see hip shooting as a major problem. If I do need to shoot a target at a greater distance, the stock can be unfolded.

Frank

[Feanaro]

Just let her shoot one. With Magnum buckshot. Then get a full stocked shotgun or a PG/stock combo and use target loads. But don't tell her I suggested the idea. :rolleyes:

[Okiecruffler]

Okay, it's apparent that you guys suggesting that after shooting one She'll agree that it's a bad idea haven't met the little lady. If there's a animal out there more stubborn, I have yet to find it. I also don't agree that the recoil from a PG shotgun is that horrid. I've shot many of them, in fact had a mossy for quite awhile, and the recoil never bothered me. Just couldn't hit anything with it. However, I did suggest we could cut down her BPS and put a PG on it. I won't tell you what she said about that, because ladies shouldn't talk like that. Anyhow, I'm off today to blow $80 or less if I can on an old warhorse. If that ain't good enough for her, she can use some of her shoe money to get what she wants.

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Cruffy, didn't High Standard make that model for Sears/Higgins/Western Field? I know HS has been out of the game a long time now, but there might be an old stock floating around in somebody's pull-off inventory. You might have an extra to whittle down to a short pull model while you refinish the original one to put back for the next owner.

Regards,
Rabbit.

[Chris Pinkleton]

My first time firing a shotgun was with a stockless, PGed, minimum-legal-barrel length Mossberg, loaded with a 3&1/2" 00 Buckshot cartrige.

Ouch.

This experience, while painful, did cure me of fearing any sort of normal handgun recoil. Perhaps you could "cure" your wife in a similar manner -- if she can do without the use of a hand for a couple days.....

[Soap]

I would shorten the LOP and make sure she keeps her thumb towards the strong side. Then use the mildest loads you can to train her. :cool:

[Dave McCracken]

Yes, an old worked over pump can be a fine HD shotgun if....

It passes the Ayoob 200 round reliability test.

It fits the shooter.

And you start with the lightest loads around. Try the 7/8 oz Fiocchi or its equivalent. Or ask a reloader to make up a couple boxes of superlights. 7/8 oz at 1150 FPS is a creampuff load capable of crushing a clay OR a perp.

And, spouses should almost never be the one to teach spouses shotguns. A lesson or two from a qualified instructor is well worth the pittance it costs.

HTH...

[Okiecruffler]

Sylvilagus Aquaticus- That's what I've been led to believe, but those danged Sears guns take a masters degree to keep up with. I was actualy looking at a High Standard today, but the guy apparently has mistaken it for one of their target model .22 pistols NIB. Either that or he put one too many zeroes on the price.

I may scrap the whole idea and just buy a used 870. I found a few today for around $150, and I've always wanted one. Maybe I could make it into one of these ultra attack things that you guys keep posting pictures of.

"And, spouses should almost never be the one to teach spouses shotguns. A lesson or two from a qualified instructor is well worth the pittance it costs."

Dave, wish you would have given me that advice a few years ago, I thought she was going to shoot me before it was all over with. To make matters worse, she's a lefty, and for some reason that just changes everything.

[Dave McCracken]

A pity, John, I've been saying it for years....

As for those used 870s for $150....

If you decide not to get one, how about posting the shop's location so others can get in there quick? Thanks...

Last line was a veiled hint. Go buy a few....