peacebutready
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An aging relative bought a semi-auto shotgun in 20 gauge. Any estimates how much less recoil there is in the typical semi-auto action compared to pump actions? It's a Mossberg, FWIW.
20 gauge recoil. Pump vs. semi-auto
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Milkmaster
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Gas operated semi-auto shotguns will have less felt recoil than recoil operated semi-auto models. Do you know the model he acquired? I am not up on Mossberg shotguns.
For what it's worth I remembered seeing this online when my wife and I were deciding on whether to get her a 12 or 20 gauge.
https://chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm
It pretty much mirrors my experience, which is that they often feel about the same and that you're often times just losing a few pounds of recoil by going to the 20 gauge. Many times the 20 gauge shotgun is also slimmer and weighs less that the 12 ga. though. This often means that going down in gauge doesn't make much of a difference in what the recoil feels like to the shooter.
There are also reduced recoil 12 gauge loads.
https://chuckhawks.com/shotgun_recoil_table.htm
It pretty much mirrors my experience, which is that they often feel about the same and that you're often times just losing a few pounds of recoil by going to the 20 gauge. Many times the 20 gauge shotgun is also slimmer and weighs less that the 12 ga. though. This often means that going down in gauge doesn't make much of a difference in what the recoil feels like to the shooter.
There are also reduced recoil 12 gauge loads.
Comparing 12 vs 20 the actual recoil is usually about the same. IF the guns were the same weight the 20 would have noticeably less recoil, but in the real world most 20's are about a pound lighter and it ends up basically the same. Of course there are almost unlimited options for shotshell loads and the load you choose has a greater effect on recoil than the gun or gauge. One ounce of shot at 1200 fps is going to recoil the same in a 12, 16, or 20 gauge shotgun. The primary reason to choose a 20 over a 12 is because the gun is lighter and easier to carry, not for recoil reduction.
Of course that is actual measured recoil. What you feel is different. Any semi-auto slows down the recoil and spreads it out over a longer period of time making it FEEL more comfortable. A quality recoil pad does the same thing and the modern high tech pads work great. The actual recoil is the same. Gas operated guns spread it out longer, plus they tend to be heavier than recoil operated shotguns so they are the softest shooting. Pretty sure the Mossbergs are all gas guns.
Choosing the shells will make the biggest difference. BUT most gas operated semi's don't function well with lower powered shells. There are multiple ways to lessen recoil. The gas 20 gauge will probably be pretty comfortable. But he could have accomplished the same thing with a 12 by simply choosing ammo carefully.
Of course that is actual measured recoil. What you feel is different. Any semi-auto slows down the recoil and spreads it out over a longer period of time making it FEEL more comfortable. A quality recoil pad does the same thing and the modern high tech pads work great. The actual recoil is the same. Gas operated guns spread it out longer, plus they tend to be heavier than recoil operated shotguns so they are the softest shooting. Pretty sure the Mossbergs are all gas guns.
Choosing the shells will make the biggest difference. BUT most gas operated semi's don't function well with lower powered shells. There are multiple ways to lessen recoil. The gas 20 gauge will probably be pretty comfortable. But he could have accomplished the same thing with a 12 by simply choosing ammo carefully.
red rick
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Here is my experience with two shotguns , first a 20ga. gas gun weighing 6lbs. and shot 58 times using #6 1oz. Federal shells . Second shotgun , Remington Express Synthetic 12ga. . weight unknown ( I think 7 1/4 lbs. ) and shot 24 times using #6 1oz. Federal shells . I shot these this dove season about 3 weeks apart . Two days later my shoulder was sore and had a yellow bruise on it after using the 20ga. , the 12ga. pump didn't leave a bruise and my shoulder didn't feel sore after .
George P
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If the guns weigh the same and fit the same, the recoil will be same - both actual and perceived
cdb1
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In my experience felt recoil is less with a gas operated auto, everything else being the same.
rpenmanparker
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jmr40, I am no expert but was under the impression it was the inertia (recoil) SA shotguns which couldn't cycle with the lower powered shells, not the gas operated guns. I was looking at a Franchi which uses the inertia system and was disappointed to read (literature from the manufacturer) that it wouldn't cycle reliably with 1 oz shells. Since I wanted the gun for shooting clay targets with light loads, I had to rethink my choice. I ended up with an o/u gun, but not before learning that Remington models, which are gas operated, had not such limitation.
George P
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Felt, aka perceived, aka kick is just that - perceived. The perception comes from the gas gun elongating the recoil pulse out a few milliseconds longer. Good fit and a good recoil pad on the pump can negate that. It is the same thing with some ammo. Cheap crap, like Winchester's Universals or Super Speeds use a faster burning powder so the initial pulse feels greater and those seem to smack me harder than using Winchester AAs.
peacebutready
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No, but I don't think it is one of the more expensive models.
A pump will definitely be more taxing on an old shoulder. I have a Remington 1100 gas operated semi in 12 gauge and it's pretty mild shooting. I load my own target loads with 3/4 ounce shot for skeet and 16 yard trap and shooting 4 rounds (100 shots) is no more fatiguing than shooting 100 rounds in an AR rifle. If it's a gas operated semi, have him look for and try a box of reduced recoil 20 gauge ammunition and see how they feel and particularly if they operate the action reliably.
cdb1
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Mossberg semi auto 20 gauges are gas operated. Mossberg imports them from Turkey but they are excellent shotguns IMO.
cdb1
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Everything else being equal a gas auto will feel like it has less recoil than a pump.
cdb1
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I agree, what I’ve been saying all along is if everything is equal, which obviously includes fit, then a gas semi auto will have less felt recoil. And I’d rather shoot an 8.5 lb 12 gauge O/U than a 5 lb 20 gauge semi.
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George P
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Unless I am hunting chukar where I am dragging my sorry butt up and down rocky mountain slopes changing elevations of several 1000 feet, then give me that light 20 every time....
I have a Benelli Legacy 20ga and an older Remington Model 17 20ga. The Benelli is noticeably softer, but both are no big deal. BTW, I'm 72 and had shoulder surgery earlier this year and still find both easy to shoot, thankfully.
NWcityguy2
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The unspoken recoil advantage on the 20 gauge is that the budget field rounds are only launching 7/8th oz of shot, compared to budget 12 gauge loads in 1 oz and 1 1/8th oz. Most 12 gauges will run 1 oz loads and obviously all standard 20 gauge guns will run 7/8th oz load as that the standard loading. The exception is 12 gauge semis chambered in 3 1/2". They might not run target loads.
My current 20 gauge is a Mossberg SA-20 Bantam(Trukish import). It has weight added inside the buttstock, double recoil pads and 12+1 capacity. It is very light recoiling.
My current 20 gauge is a Mossberg SA-20 Bantam(Trukish import). It has weight added inside the buttstock, double recoil pads and 12+1 capacity. It is very light recoiling.
rpenmanparker
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Right. The issue is with inertia guns, not gas.
peacebutready
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Hmmm...I didn't know they import them from Turkey. Now I'm curious whether they import the Maverick line from the same place.
peacebutready
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Thanks for the responses, all.
cdb1
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Mavericks are assembled at the Mossberg facility in Eagle Pass Texas. Many parts for it are manufactured in Mexico which is no more than a mile or so away. I’ve been there.
NWcityguy2
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The big downside with the Mossberg SA-20s is that they are completely different guns than anything else they sell. And, they sell the guns, not the replacement parts. So, if you needed a new gas piston or extractor, you would need to find a gun shop overseas (most likely England) who sells parts for a Armsam 620, then eat the shipping costs.
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