Could you mix up 12 and 20 gauge?

[Blondie]

I want to buy a 12 gauge and a 20 gauge, and thought I'd pick one brand/model and buy 2 to have a matching set. Then I thought, would it be too easy to mix up the guns? I am obsessive about being safe, but I often let friends use my shotguns when shooting trap/skeet. I was thinking about two Browning Silver Hunter shotguns.

Would it be too easy to mix up the two shotguns? If so, I'll just have to pick two different models.

Thanks,

Blonde

 

[SilverShooter]

yellow

12 GA shot shells come in all sorts of colors, shades of colors, and even some translucent. Every color but yellow.

20 GA shot shells come in only one color -- yellow.

The color coding helps to prevent mix ups of loading 20 GA shells into a 12 GA shot gun.

Most serious shooters in my neck of the woods buy a 12 GA and a combo set (20/28 or 20/28/410) of the same brand and model -- thinking that they get to know one gun. Yet, for some reason, they only shoot one shot gun 90% of the time -- the 12 GA. For my friends without shotguns, I keep a Beretta AL 391 UII semi auto for them to use. Low recoil and simple to use so they have fun.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yes, it's quite easy to mix up two GUNS that are the same model - they look the same on the outside. Get two of the same kind in the same caliber, OR get two in different calibers, but very different guns, since you're concerned about it.

 

[PRE 64 JOE]

So i'm out camping with some friends in the desert and this moron brought a browning pump out to try from a pawnshop, he said he was told it was a 20 gauge, so my other friends are taking turns using a hand thrower for claysand it's his turn to shoot, he had 3 rounds in the shotgun and I tossed a clay for him and all I heard was a big puff with smoke coming out of the action, I told him not to shoot anymore so he turned around forgetting that he had a loaded shotgun, so I took the shotgun and unloaded 2 20 gauge shells before I checked it and it was a 12 gauge, of course the pawn shop told him it was a 20 gauge, I don't see him anymore but i'm still alive.

 

[TehK1w1]

Yes they can be confused, the most common thing I know of is when a person accidentally loads a 20 gauge shell into a 12 gauge, the shell slides forward into the barrel and the rim catches on the forward edge of the chamberl. It sits there and allows a 12 gauge shell to be chambered after it...when the gun is fired, the shot&wad immediately hits the 20 gauge shell-bad news all around.

 

[EHCRain10]

anything is possible but if you are careful you are fine.
I personally own a 12ga and 20ga mossberg 500 that are very similar and the same in 870 wingmasters.
I have never loaded the shells with them because I am careful. I have grabbed the wrong box of shells but just had to go get the correct one when i realized my mistake.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Why not get the guns with different finishes.

Maybe get a Silver Hunter 20ga and a Silver Stalker 12ga?

Better yet, get a 12 and 28 ga and avoid the issue altogether.

 

[inSight-NEO]

First off I have to ask, why do you feel the need for two different gauges? What I mean is, if you are going to purchase a 12 gauge (and feel comfortable firing it) why bother with a 20 gauge? Id suggest just getting a 12 gauge or possibly two; one for HD (20" barrel or less) and one for "sporting" use (24"+). Or possibly consider a 12 gauge shotgun with interchangeable barrels. Of course, these are merely suggestions from a 12 gauge fanatic, so take it for what its worth.

Now, in keeping two different gauge shotguns around, particularly if they are of the same make and essentially identical in appearance, you are just asking for trouble IMHO. If you must have both, I would recommend you make sure they are clearly distinguishable from one another. Its kinda like having, say, a .38 and a .357 Magnum (both identical in finish, barrel length, etc.). Sure, upon close observation the differences can be seen. But, when other things are on the mind, these differences may not be readily noticed. You can guess what may happen when improper ammunition becomes added to the mix.

 

[Virginian]

I've had 12 and 20 and 28 gauge 1100s, all the same style, for 30 years and I have never mixed up a gun or a shell. I pay attention to things. I've seen a couple of gun blow ups and experienced one myself and don't want another.
The one was a slightly funny sounding report in a Mossberg bolt action. The next round took the last few inches of the barrel and the C-Lect choke into orbit.

 

[Fred Fuller]

12/20 blow-ups happen- but don't forget that 20/28 blow-ups can happen also. My gunsmith reported dealing with two in the past year or so. Both very expensive guns, too.

Nothing wrong with shooting different gauges, but BE CAREFUL about cleaning out shell bags, vests, etc after use and segregating shells by gauge, especially with less experienced shooters using the guns. And PAY ATENTION to every aspect of shooting- details like the color, size and 'feel' of the shell do matter.

lpl

 

[PJR]

Having come far too close to a 12/20 burst I always pay close attention to what shells I'm using and if the gun goes "click" I assume nothing and check the bore.

Skeet shooters use the same gun with subgauge tubes all the time and it's not a problem providing one pays attention.

 

[Big Bill]

Could you mix up 12 and 20 gauge?

No! Not I.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Wife has a 20 gauge, her ammuntion is yellowish.

Mine is clear (Brenneke short magnums) or any other color any other 12 gauge ammuntion. No yellows in my gun period. 12/20 bursts are just too deadly. (Expensive too) The only color I aint see is Blue, and those belong to the LEO's I think.

Her ready load is either uploaded into the tube or very well within reach of it.

My load outs on the 12 gauge are similar but NO yellow 20 gauge anywhere near it.

Both ammo performs very similar to each other; could not be more than happy with them. Our reasoning is maybe the 12 gauge is unavailible but 20 gauge is not. But since we completed a build up of ammo in both gauges with a small stockpile, this is less important now. She has one box, I have another.

 

[sohcgt2]

I was reading this and thought to myself how could anyone mix up 12 and 20 gauge shells and guns, I own both. Then I picked up a 20 gauge #4 shot shell off the shelf and a 12 gauge cylinder choke to compare size. I expected to 20 gauge shell to fall right through, but no, the lip on the brass hung on the choke tube. In the dark I guess it would be pretty easy to mix up which shells go in which guns. I have decided to move my box of 20 gauge shells to the far right of my ammo storage and 12 gauge shells to the far left with pistol and rifle ammo in the middle. Thanks for posting the question Blondie, you may have saved me from a very stupid and dangerous mistake.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

There is another reason we mixed ammo shotguns gauges.

Wife's gun voice is lighter, sharper in bark.

Mine is deeper in as in woof. if that makes sense.

Any other guns in the fight belongs to the enemy. We can track each other if both (Gawd help us...) of us are firing.