Help! I'm afraid to shoot a long gun.

[Girlwithagun]

This probably sounds odd but I am afraid to shoot a long gun. I really want to "wow" my husband so any help would be appreciated. He wants me to shoot one of his shotguns (12 gauge) but I just couldn't bring myself to try.
I have no problem shooting pistols. My favorite is my husband's 1911. You would think if I can shoot a .45 and enjoy it I could muster up the courage to try a shotgun.
I am afraid of how it will feel on my shoulder. Maybe its just the not knowing that scares me. Any tips that might help me decide to try?

 

[mete]

Start small, start with a 22 and work up. Recoil is also dependant on how the stock fits. But if you can handle a 45 then it sounds like your problem is mostly in the mind.

 

[Ky Larry]

What type of shotgun are we talking about? If it's a gas operated auto loader (ie Remington 1100), recoil is almost non existant.
I suggest you go to your local gun shop and buy a box of very light target loads such as Winchester AA's.Tuck the gun tight against your shoulder when you fire. If you can handle a 1911, you shouldn't have any problem with a shot gun. Good luck and shoot well.

P.S. Welcome to THR. It's always nice to see new members.

 

[RAY WOODROW 3RD]

Bird shot, NOT buck shot when shooting a shotgun for the first time.

 

[HankB]

There's no reason a woman can't shoot a 12 gauge - I've shot trap alongside more than one petite woman shooting a single-barrel trap gun who had no problem with it.

I'd suggest starting with a "light" trap or skeet load - there are some carrying 1 oz. of shot out there - and work your way up. And if the shotgun is a gasgun like a Remington 1100, the peak impulse will be further moderated by the gas action.

Hopefully, your husband isn't the kind to slip in a magnum turkey load . . .

 

[SDC]

It sounds like you've already convinced yourself that it's going to hurt when you fire it, so you're going to have a world-class flinch to begin with. If you really want to learn to be proficient with a long-arm, start with a .22 rifle, or an AR-15 (both very little recoil). Shotguns recoil a little more, but it's mainly a matter of technique; pull the stock into your shoulder TIGHT, lean into it a little, line up on your target and squeeze the trigger. If you have the stock out of your shoulder pocket, or not pulled in tightly, it CAN hurt, but that's just nature's way of telling you you're doing it wrong. I shoot skeet with a woman who's all of 4 1/2' tall, and she can break birds with the best of them.

 

[dischord]

Yep. Everyone's right about light loads and working up.

Remember, you also can buy clothing specially padded on the shoulder for shooting, or you can improvise something yourself. Heck, it's winter -- if you're shooting outside, you might be wearing enough to pad it anyway.

In any event, the most important thing is form. Pulling the stock back firmly against your shoulder to minimize the kick does more than padding.

 

[straightwall]

12 ga. shooting made fun

Wear padded clothing and hold the shotgun tightly against shoulder with hand that is gripping the buttstock. The forward hand is on the shotgun forearm only to guide the swing of the shotgun, not to pull the gun towards the body. Browning sells vests and shirts that have a pre-sewn pocket that fits their proprietary recoil reducing pad (on right side). This pad may also be purchased separately and sewn into any garment by the shooter. This pad is GREAT at reducing recoil.

Tom Knapp, the Benelli-sponsored exhibition shooter, shoots tens of thousands of 12 ga. rounds a year. Knapp swears by the Limb-Saver Recoil Pad that he sells on his website.

https://tp-commerce.techpro.com/tomknapp/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=12&cat=LimbSaver+Recoil+Pads

Light loads and using a semi-auto shotgun are good ideas too.

 

[sm]

Girlwithagun:
I agree with mete.
That fear of the unknown is nothing to be ashamed about, everyone has and will experience it with something. You are not in denial because you admit and seek help.

Since we are speaking about shotguns, I usually take a person totally a newbie and "concerned" and start with a BB gun with sights removed. I agree GUN FIT is crucial. LIGHT LOADS are crucial. Proper fundamentals are crucial.

I have seen too many folks turned off of shotguns , because the aformentioned not heeded. I also have seen many kids, women, and even guys, either have a ball and and are hooked for life or come back and try "one more time", and become addicted to the shotgun.

May I suggest you visit the Shotgun Forum as well. We have covered this in many threads. I suggest looking under Dave McCrackens's name and especially the 101 threads. We're a pretty good bunch in Shotguns, respectful to a lady...heck we even pick up after ourselves...coffee ain't bad, and we even have a ladies room...yes the seat is down.

At the top of the forum there is a Float with many useful links as well. Heck we even have fresh donuts this morning...better hurry HSMITH spots those and 'poof'.

 

[Preacherman]

Another good option (and not just for a beginner - I use them with heavy loads) is the PAST recoil shield - see here for details. These help absorb the recoil, and make life much easier on your shoulder, particularly for extended shooting sessions. PAST also makes a shooting vest with the recoil shield built in - also at Cabela's, and of course at other online and retail suppliers.

 

[Brian Williams]

Tell your husband that you have been shooting his guns enough and you want your own.....

then go and get a nice 12 or 20 gauge and have the shop fit it to your Length of pull, cant and put a nice recoil pad on it.

and get your self a 1911 while you are at it.

Tips for shooting shot gun.
If your nose ain't over your toes, you ain't leaning in to it enough.
Make sure the butt is in the pocket of your shoulder before you pull the trigger.

 

[Mark Tyson]

Actually, I think it's easier to shoot a long gun - the longer barrel and heavier weight means less flash, noise and recoil.

Start out on a .22 rifle. It's like shooting a cap gun. The .223's (like the AR15) have no recoil to speak of either, but produce more flash and noise.

 

[foghornl]

Pop over to the Shotguns forum here on THR. Among some of THR members, particularly Dave McCracken, and Preacherman, (and too many others to mention) you will find more years of practical shotgunninmg experience than you can count.

And carefully read though the various "Shotgunning 101" threads within that fourm.

For ammo, start with the lightest "target" loads you can find and work up.

 

[anapex]

As a quick note in defense of myself, a 20 gauge was offered for her to shoot. She has shot a .22 rifle before, although the most recent time was with CCI CBs.

 

[MikeK]

Several great opportunities will be available in 2004. Monumental Rifle and Pistol Club (a member club of Associated Gun Clubs) SW of Baltimore and the NRA are hosting several Women on Target events.

Check out www.monumental.org for a schedule. If it's not on the Web site yet - post back here or E-mail me and I'll get you a schedule.

More information about the program is available on the NRA Web site.

I have volunteered at a few of them and all of the women (from 15 - 75+) seemed to have a great time judging by the smiles.

 

[280PLUS]

relax,,,if the gun is tucked into your shoulder its no more than someone pushing on your shoulder in a playful manner

and don't fight the recoil,,,just go with it,,,

you'll be like, "gee,,,that werent so bad..."

granted,,,those magnum deer slugs will rattle your cage a little...

 

[telewinz]

Try shooting the 12 gauge, go to the nearest gunstore and tell the vendor you want the lightest load for a 12 gauge (trap load). My 12 year old son was just fine shooting my light reloads in my 12 gauge, just about like shooting a 16 gauge. If your husband has more than one 12 gauge shotgun ask to shoot the auto load or at least the one the weights the most. In both cases felt recoil will be less.

Plan B

Buy your own 20, 410, or 28 gauge (heavy auto loader or pump) with slip-on recoil pad and use light trap loads with that.

Plan C

Fire your first few shots from the hip, then when you are comfortable with that move to the shoulder. Don't let anyone "force" you to fire a 12 or 10 gauge unless its a life or death situation. I'm a wimp, I don't enjoy shooting 12 gauge at all, I'm a 410 fan at heart (3 hits with a 410 is better than 1 miss with a 12 gauge) besides its a "cute" baby 12 gauge. (Whoa,Did I say that?) I think I'll go outside now and practice shooting rhinos with my 4 gauge punt gun

 

[JackM]

Start shotgun shooting with flying clay pigeons, not stationary targets. If you are expecting to get kicked into the middle of next week, you'll tense up and won't roll with the punch. Moving targets force you to stay loose. As others have said, use light loads and be sure the gun is properly shouldered. This has worked for over a hundred of our firearm safety students, and most of them were under 14.

Have fun
Jack

 

[artherd]

At the age of 12, all of 5-feet-somethign tall, and ~90lbs, I was more than able to fire a few rounds of light load 12 guage.

The 12 guage gets a bad rap as a heavy recoiling gun, it really is load dependant.

Shooting a 12 guage is easier than a 9mm, let alone a .45! You'll do JUST fine methinks

The key is to not tense 'too' much, have someone work with you on your hold of the gun. Held properly, just about anyone can comfortably shoot stiff 12 guage loads.

Just like driving a car, it should not be done lightly, or withought any instruction, but with just a little teaching, you will be able to do it every day withought trouble!

Enjoy!

 

[ksnecktieman]

I have introduced a fair number of people to guns and shooting. Your fear of the gun is the biggest problem. Do not buy a gun until you shoot some, and know what you want. If you can find an auto loader, like a remington 1100 it is a fine first shooter, as the working of the action softens apparent recoil.
The shotgun shell you use is where recoil comes from, and you should be using a light load to learn with. The cheap one ounce loads in 12 guage (7/8 ounce in 20 guage) from walmart for 14.99 per hundred rounds are great to learn with.
Take your hand, and make a fist, and hit your other palm with it from a distance of about four inches, then hold your fist against your other palm and try to hit it again, and you will understand why you have to hold the gun tight to your shoulder. I suggest you shoot at nothing. Just shoulder the gun, lean into it, point it nearly level, and shoot. Pay attention to the recoil, and calm your fears, without concern about hitting anything. Allow the gun to push you back, and turn your body some, it is absorbing recoil, and there is no reason you have to hold perfectly still as you do with a pistol.

good luck, we have faith in you, and you will do fine.

 

[hksw]

IMO, tell your husband about your concerns about the recoil of the 12 ga and that you would like to start with something less abusive, i.e., .22 lr. Persuade him to pick one out for you as you are not familiar with long guns. It's as good an excuse (actually the best) as any to get another firearm.

 

[djl4570]

I see a number of women on the trap, skeet and sporting clays fields shooting 12GA. Start with a box of Winchester AA light target loads. The recoil from these loads is minor in a full sized gun. Using a good stance and proper technique of holding the buttstock firmly against your shoulder, good cheekweld and leaning your weight into the gun helps reduce the perceived recoil. A recoil pad for your shoulder can help when you first start but I think they can encourage sloppy technique. A riot gun will be a bit lighter because of the shorter barrel.

In the rifle world it's best to start with a .22LR. If you don't have that then a .223 is probably the next most common light recoiling rifle cartridge. Stay away from the Winchester M94 30-30 and similar rifles for now. These have a pretty sharp recoil and an unforgiving steel buttplate. If you let the gun ride up on your collarbone it will hurt. It's best to start shooting off a bench with a good cross stacked pile of four to six sandbags. This allows you to concentrate on sight sight alignment and trigger control. Holding the rifle firmly against your shoulder and maintaining a good cheek weld is still important. You want to be one with the gun so you and the gun recoil as one.

 

[P12]

I’m going to go out on limb here.

This is why I don’t ever try to teach my wife anything. The “impress†issue rears it’s ugly head and makes things go south. She tenses up and can’t do anything right. When the impress issue enters into the equation you will not enjoy it.

Don’t shoot any gun just to impress your hubby. If you enter a shooting hobby for the wrong reasons, you will make it harder on yourself by many fold.

My wife can’t learn or work through anything that she is not interested in.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[RandyB]

Just my 2 cents worth, but try out on something like a .22. When you do shoot a 12 ga. (my cousin at age 5 did this, recoil knocked him around a bit, but he thought it was "cool") Anyway. Don't be afraid of the gun, pull it into your shoulder that way the gun 'pushes' instead of 'hitting' you. Think of it like this. If I put my fist touching your shoulder and hit you, it is really going to be like me pushing against you. If get a space (say a few inches) that is free space that I get to accelerate and the punch will 'hit' and you will feel it more. Let your whole body absorb the shock and a 12 ga. will not be too much for you. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

 

[rock jock]

Yep, start with a .22. All guns are fun, but .22's are pure joy to shoot.