Dog Wonder
Member
My wife & I are strongly considering buying a Remington 11-87 Police 12- gauge for protecting our home. My wife stands 5 feet tall and I was concerned if women of her size can be trained to handle this shotgun?
Can a Woman Handle a Remington 11-87 Police 12- Gauge?
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bredda
Member
I keep one against the wall on my side of the bed. Loaded up, it is one heavy shotgun (11 pounds) and I'm 6' at 200#. I'd say take a look at the 870P for both weight and, considering if your wife isn't familiar with autos, ease of use.
john1911
Member
Correct LOP and reduced recoil loads will help.
You're going to have to have her try it, see if she can handle it.
You're going to have to have her try it, see if she can handle it.
ReloaderFred
Member
The Remington Model 870 Youth shotgun in 20 gauge would probably be the best choice for her. It's not so short that a large person can't shoot it, but just right for someone of small stature.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
A semi auto in 12 doesn't recoil much more than a pump in 20. The bleeding gasses and recoil springs do much to spread the recoil out over a greater length of time.
Incidentally, seeing as how the shotgun is gas operated, and doesn't rely on the recoil of the firearm, a Knoxx recoil-reduction stock may be a possibility. Mine works awesome on my Mossberg.
Incidentally, seeing as how the shotgun is gas operated, and doesn't rely on the recoil of the firearm, a Knoxx recoil-reduction stock may be a possibility. Mine works awesome on my Mossberg.
ServiceSoon
Member
I wouldn't recommend it without first having your wife fire one and developing her own opinion.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Look, a 12 year old with proper instruction can shoot a 12 guage pump shotgun and shoot full power loads. I have seen a 240 lb man whince and then whine at length from attempting to shoot light loads out of a skeet gun because he did just about everything wrong.
So can a woman, someone's wife, handle an 1187? Unless she has some sort of physical handicap, there is no reason why she should not be able to handle it just fine if she does it right and it doesn't take rocket science to learn to shoot it correctly.
My wife's preferred HD shotgun is a Rem 870 with full power buckshot and full power slugs.
So can a woman, someone's wife, handle an 1187? Unless she has some sort of physical handicap, there is no reason why she should not be able to handle it just fine if she does it right and it doesn't take rocket science to learn to shoot it correctly.
My wife's preferred HD shotgun is a Rem 870 with full power buckshot and full power slugs.
JImbothefiveth
Member
Might also want to consider one in 20 gauge. She should be able to handle one, but it might not be comfortable. Since she's only 5 feet tall, the stock will probably be too big for her. I think the stock on the 870 is set up for people somewhere between 6'1 and 6'5.
Gunfighter123
Member
As others have said --- YES , if she has some training with lower recoil loads and she MUST have a true desire to.
I have shot IPSC,3 Gun Action , Cowboy Action etc. and I have seen very small women and even smaller children run a 12 ga.
I think the main thing is a proper FIT with a GOOD recoil pad and LOW RECOIL shells {low brass target} for the first few range trips.
Go to a place like YOUTUBE and search for something like "women shotgun shooting" and let her see that many other women can handle the 12ga.
Edit --- you can also put some lead shot/weight in the buttstock to lessen recoil.
I have shot IPSC,3 Gun Action , Cowboy Action etc. and I have seen very small women and even smaller children run a 12 ga.
I think the main thing is a proper FIT with a GOOD recoil pad and LOW RECOIL shells {low brass target} for the first few range trips.
Go to a place like YOUTUBE and search for something like "women shotgun shooting" and let her see that many other women can handle the 12ga.
Edit --- you can also put some lead shot/weight in the buttstock to lessen recoil.
The short answer is: yes.
I'm going to disagree with those that think a 20ga youth shotgun is a good choice. I listened to that advice without considering that youth guns are lighter and felt recoil is not reduced much. My shoulder suffered for it. So I went back from the 20 youth to my 12.
I do recommend a semi-auto. A heavy one in 20 will be very mild. I went back to a 12 for HD but bought an 1100 20 gauge for trap. I can shoot it all day. I think a 20 ga semi-auto with an 18" barrel is a good choice for HD from the standpoint of recoil. (I'd stick with a pump for reliability, though.)
I think recoil and weight are going to be less of an issue for HD because we're not talking about standing there and aiming a long gun for a long period of time. We're talking about adrenaline pumping excitement that will probably distract from both the recoil and the weight.
I'm going to disagree with those that think a 20ga youth shotgun is a good choice. I listened to that advice without considering that youth guns are lighter and felt recoil is not reduced much. My shoulder suffered for it. So I went back from the 20 youth to my 12.
I do recommend a semi-auto. A heavy one in 20 will be very mild. I went back to a 12 for HD but bought an 1100 20 gauge for trap. I can shoot it all day. I think a 20 ga semi-auto with an 18" barrel is a good choice for HD from the standpoint of recoil. (I'd stick with a pump for reliability, though.)
I think recoil and weight are going to be less of an issue for HD because we're not talking about standing there and aiming a long gun for a long period of time. We're talking about adrenaline pumping excitement that will probably distract from both the recoil and the weight.
Sir Aardvark
Member
Consider a Knoxx Recoil Reducing stock for a shotgun for your wife - they really do reduce the recoil.
I do not think they make one for the 11-87, though.
I do not think they make one for the 11-87, though.
ugaarguy
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If you do anything, ignore the above advice. There are no reduced recoil 20 gauge loads, and 20 gauge shotguns are lighter than their 12 gauge brethren. A 12 gauge pump with reduced recoil loads has less felt recoil than a 20 gauge pump. I didn't believe it when Lee Lapin and Dave McCracken said it, so I tried it, and it's true.
A 12 gauge semi-auto will be softer shooting than a 12 gauge pump as well. The Limbsaver / Remington R3 recoil pad will also help. Look for a used wood stock that can be cut and fitted to your wife. Last, test the gun and make sure it'll cycle reduced recoil loads (some semi-autos won't).
gotgcoalman
Member
Try before u buy.
My 8 year old son regularly shoots 50 sporting clays
using either an over and under or semi auto.
He only uses the pumps on single "birds" as his arms
aren't long enough yet to operate them propperly.
Close range for HD no problem using lighter loads.
8 year old handles 40 gr n# 3shot
for high live birds.
and 50 gr bb for fox.
ok it's funny if he fires 3 shots quickly co's he nearly
ends up on his a**e if he's not prepared for it (leaning into the
shot etc)
Recoil with a semi shouldn't be a geat problem with corect loads
and a bit of pratcice.
My 8 year old son regularly shoots 50 sporting clays
using either an over and under or semi auto.
He only uses the pumps on single "birds" as his arms
aren't long enough yet to operate them propperly.
Close range for HD no problem using lighter loads.
8 year old handles 40 gr n# 3shot
for high live birds.
and 50 gr bb for fox.
ok it's funny if he fires 3 shots quickly co's he nearly
ends up on his a**e if he's not prepared for it (leaning into the
shot etc)
Recoil with a semi shouldn't be a geat problem with corect loads
and a bit of pratcice.
ReloaderFred
Member
The Youth Model 870 was perfect for my niece, who was 14, and only weighed about 95 pounds, dripping wet. She couldn't handle the 12 gauge, but the Youth Model fit her perfectly and she could shoot it all day. A lot has to do with fit and hold. If it fits the shooter, and they hold it right, they can shoot it well.
On the other hand, one of our SASS shooters, a 12 year old girl, is shooting a 12 gauge 1897 shotgun, and is the Oregon State Champion and International Champion in her age group.
It all depends on the person.
Hope this helps.
Fred
On the other hand, one of our SASS shooters, a 12 year old girl, is shooting a 12 gauge 1897 shotgun, and is the Oregon State Champion and International Champion in her age group.
It all depends on the person.
Hope this helps.
Fred
At least one woman can handle shotguns like that... though, she wasn't shouldering it, as it's PGO.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngfMmMzGsQ
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngfMmMzGsQ
BADUNAME37
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Get a 20 gauge.
Then, if she wants, she can use 3" Magnums while you just use 2 3/4" low brass.
Then, if she wants, she can use 3" Magnums while you just use 2 3/4" low brass.
BADUNAME37
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Well,
It's the OP's wife that will be using it (or not using it) when her life and those she loves are in danger.
Is the gun any good if it just sits in the corner?
I'd rather shoot a bad guy with a 20 gauge than have a 12 sitting in the corner that I am afraid to shoot.
Let your wife shoot one BEFORE you buy it.
It's the OP's wife that will be using it (or not using it) when her life and those she loves are in danger.
Is the gun any good if it just sits in the corner?
I'd rather shoot a bad guy with a 20 gauge than have a 12 sitting in the corner that I am afraid to shoot.
Let your wife shoot one BEFORE you buy it.
556A2
Member
Yes
Anybody can handle a 12 gauge as long as they use the correct form, have a stock that fits them, and practices with it. Downgrading to a 20 gauge will not help unless you follow the basics as well.
Anybody can handle a 12 gauge as long as they use the correct form, have a stock that fits them, and practices with it. Downgrading to a 20 gauge will not help unless you follow the basics as well.
BADUNAME37
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Agreed.
Consider this, a semi-automatic may not function if a powerful enough load is not used (think real low brass skeet/trap/target loads).
Consider this, a semi-automatic may not function if a powerful enough load is not used (think real low brass skeet/trap/target loads).
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