I need a 20ga. for my wife

[harbinger_j]

Since my wife shot a 20ga. auto Beretta at the trap & skeet range she refuses to try my 12ga. even with reduced recoil rounds... (she is very determined)

So I need a 20ga. for my wife.

Before she was adamant on getting an autoloader (Beretta) but now that I have my SXS she is open to getting double barrel (Either O/U or SXS).
I want to keep the costs down (about $300, but am willing to go up to $600 OTD).

What are my best options?

 

[sm]

You are not going to stay within your budget most likely.
I would suggest you just accept the fact she will have a NEW Beretta 20 gauge just like the one she shot well with.



Oh you can try a used 1100 , or even a Beretta 20 gauge.
You can even ask at the Trap/Skeet club, check the tote boards, ask around.
Trust me, you are going to see grins, hear snickers and "Yeah, I tried that with my wife/daughter/daughter-in-law, and it don't work. I bit the bullet and got her what she wanted".


Warning: Whatever you do, do NOT let her handle, much less shoot a 28 gauge shotgun.

You have been warned.

 

[harbinger_j]

I can get her to stick with a used gun I have a little leverage on her for that.

I am thinking I should call the range and just try to buy the exact gun she shot if they would sell it to me?

I know I might be dreaming but is there anything out there $300-$500 she would like?

 

[sm]

Seriously,
If that gun fit her, and she shot well with it, I would call the range and see what kind of deal could be struck.
Keep in mind, that gun is used, and may not have the maintenance a private individual would give one.

Self Esteem is running real high with your wife right now. This is real important.
Gun fit, correct basics and self esteem go a long way in keeping her interested.
The other thing is, sounds stupid, but you are married and understand this.
You listened to her.
Not "heard" her.
"Listened" to what she likes and this means a lot to her.

For your budget, no, I cannot think of any other guns other than used Rem 1100s, Beretta 303/390/391, Win 1400.

You are not going to find a O/U for this price range.
Being honest, the 20 gauge semi is a great gun - it truly is one of the best kept secrets.

I would double check gun fit, try to get that gun, or one like it.
Make sure she shoots another gun (one like it) , as even among same guns, there are little differences, heck it might be the grain of the wood, who knows.


I understand the Money and Budget, I really do.

One cannot put a monetary value on all this gun means to her now, and in the future.

As she progresses, this gun will assist another new shooter, it may be a family member, son or daughter, maybe a SIL, DIL, coworker for either of you, or somebody new at the range and "would like to try and shoot MY gun for fit?"

You will be standing 3 feet off the ground, with a puffed chest and grinning like an idiot.
Which is fine, you are supposed to.

 

[ilmonster]

Agree with SM. If she shoots well with a 20 ga. 391, why fix something that ain't broke. Begin looking for a "previously enjoyed" one, god knows Beretta has made enough of them. No need to mess up a good thing looking for an O/U that you don't know she will shoot well with.
A used 391 is hard to wear out, so most any with normal maint. should work. Good luck!

 

[sm]

There may or not may not be any truth to the rumor, I am NOT allowed to be around some folks when firearms, such as Shotguns are discussed.

There may or not may not be any truth to the rumor, I am NOT allowed to "accompany" some family members to gun stores. Especially Wives, Daughters and Kids.


"Hi honey/daddy, Steve and I are at the gun store, and I found a ____" gun, exactly like I wanted.
Steve said thanks for letting me use your credit/put on your house account".

Ever seen a Cell Phone Blow up? I have, it happens most often with the words 28 gauge shotgun being in the sentences a family is sharing in converstation.

Keep telling folks that 28 gauge is a lot more potent than it is supposed to be.


I mention the 28 gauge, because I know and others know harbinger_j is going to mess up big time.
His wife is going to read this thread, he is going to let her handle one, something I assure you.

I'd bookmark this thread for future reference.

 

[ArmedBear]

A SxS to keep the price down?

The 3901 isn't too expensive, BTW. A used 1100 LT-20 can be had for $400 or less in decent condition if you look. Even the 12 Gauge version doesn't kick much at all. She might like that if she tries one.

My 12 Gauge 1100 kicks a LOT less than my 20 Gauge O/U. Whether or not she's open to a break-action, she won't like it. 20's tend to be lighter than 12's (that's the point, really), so they can slam your shoulder just as hard or even harder if the buttstock is skinnier.

 

[kentucky_smith]

LT20s are too unweildy and kludgy.

Take a look at a Franchi 48al. Light, lithe and a great shooter.

Yes, it is a long recoil gun, but shooting 1oz 20 gauge loads, it doesn't kick anymore than the LT20 I had, or my 390 shooting 1 1/4 oz 12 gauge loads.

And SM, they make 'em in 28 gauge.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=9935_13769_6190_6195

http://www.franchiusa.com/firearms/48al.tpl

 

[mnrivrat]

Just a quick comment from me here - The felt recoil is less with the auto's. What she liked about the 20ga. may go away if you try getting her a sideby or over/under, or even a pump gun.

I've ran across some pretty good buys on the Win 1400 in 20ga. but if she likes the Beretta I will do a + 1 with the other fellows here on that. She could also at least try the Remington 1100 or 11/87 in 20ga. as they may fit her as well.

Buy the right one and you won't need to spend the money again and will have a happy shooter.

 

[USMC - Retired]

"I need a 20ga. for my wife"

I might consider a trade... What's she look like?

 

[ArmedBear]

LT20s are too unweildy and kludgy.

At the trap range?

Take a look at a Franchi 48al. Light, lithe and a great shooter.

True enough, especially trudging around for upland birds.

But on the trap range?

 

[kentucky_smith]

Setup for light loads and it'll work great.

 

[ArmedBear]

Not talking about recoil.

It swings like a toothpick.

The thought of having a relatively inexperienced shooter trying to hit hard lefts or rights with a 5.5 lb. gun makes me cringe. She'll quit in a week.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Beretta 3901 20 gauge weighs just a hair over 6#s.

 

[ArmedBear]

7 lb in synthetic, just over 6 1/2 lb in walnut.

A pound is a lot! But you know that.

I love my little 20 Gauge O/U, even shoot it at the trap range sometimes. But switching to my 34" BT-99 results in an instant increase of 5+ in my trap score.

Woudln't want to hunt doves with the BT, though.

 

[TrapperReady]

Take a look at a Franchi 48al. Light, lithe and a great shooter.

I've been spending a fair amount of time doing instruction, and see these guns on occasion. In my experience, they are decent guns, but seem to have more felt recoil than either the Beretta 391 20ga or the Remington 1100 20ga.

As someone whose wife has gone through a progression of shotguns*, here's my advice...

1) If you want her to remain enthusiastic, let her pick the gun. If she picks something that isn't ideal, she will eventually find that out on her own.

2) Recognize that advice from a spouse has very little impact. Advice from a neutral "expert" carries a lot of weight. What I mean is that you can tell your wife why a particular gun is or isn't right for her, but she'll be more likely to follow that advice if it comes from someone else.

3) Professional instruction is worth its weight in gold (or lead, given the recent price increases). Gun fit is critical, but gun fit is meaningless until someone has proper technique and form when mounting the gun. A couple of lessons with a qualified instructor (which does not mean some random guy at the gun club)** should get a new shooter started with proper form. Often, instructors will have access to a variety of guns that the shooter can try.

--------------
* She started with a very lightweight 20ga auto. Now, she's shooting a 9.3# custom-fitted O/U.

** I don't want to disparage all of the truly helpful people who can be found at gun clubs. Dave McCracken is a prime example of someone who is both helpful AND knowledgable. However, it seems like people come out of the woodwork to offer "advice" to women shooters. While most of this advice is well-intentioned, it is often either overwhelming or just plain incorrect. Instructors who are certified by the NRA, NSCA, NSSF or similar organizations will provide quality instruction in most cases. Any local club should have a list of instructors in the area.

 

[harbinger_j]

Going shopping tonight.

It looks like a have a tough assignment.
So far I haven't spent more than $600 on a gun yet.
I also have to keep my wife happy too.

Thanks for all the advice.
Felt recoil is her #1 issue, but she also wants a lighter gun.
Is a 28 gauge gun that much more expensive?
No I won't trade my wife for a gun.
BTW I just bought a SXS stevens 311A for $295 OTD.
Although the gun would be mostly for clay birds we might soon do some hunting together.

 

[DWARREN123]

Get her what she wants and get a new one! Over the long run it will be worth it more than you will believe.

 

[TrapperReady]

So far I haven't spent more than $600 on a gun yet.

I fondly remember buying my first shotgun (I already had an inherited Model 12 pump). I was appalled that it cost upwards of $700. The last shotgun I bought cost more than the first three cars I ever owned (combined)... and one of those was new.

When viewed as a neurostimulant, I think that shotgunning is like loud crack.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Went out back yesterday evening and shot some self-thrown clays with the 686s and one of the Franchi's.

Negligible difference. I guess my 20 gauge 686 is in the toothpick category too.

 

[ArmedBear]

Self-thrown clays?

Hell, I can hit hand-thrown or spring-trap clay pigeons pretty consistently with my old Ithaca SuperSingle 20 Gauge. That thing's a toothpick, too, surely no heavier than the Franchi, and a tad shorter.

On a good day, I've done marginally well hitting hand-thrown clays with a Mini-14.

That's not American Trap, which is a whole different animal.

I'm not saying that nobody can ever shoot 25 at the trap range with a lightweight 20. People do it occasionally with a .410. It's just a LOT harder than with an appropriate shotgun, and more frustration than I'd want to give a beginner.

 

[Noxx]

I might consider a trade... What's she look like?

You sir, owe me a keyboard. Mine seems to have coffee all over it.

 

[harbinger_j]

1st Night UNsuccessful...

I went to two shops last night...
No used semi autos in a 20ga.
I think she will need a youth sized gun all the full size guns are just too long for her.

1st shop I swung by on my way home from work showed me the 3901 citizen for for $600, but I know she really wants a wood stock.
2nd shop I brought her to after dinner didn't want to show me anything besides the beretta she wanted brand new... I am sorry to all you guys out there I couldn't pay $1,100 for it I need something for less.

It looks like the 3901 doesn't come in a youth model...
Making my only new option the 391 Urika for $1000+
There aren't many used shotguns except 12 gauges around me... I think we are going shopping again tonight.

 

[ArmedBear]

The 3901 was made in a trap/clay model for smaller-statured shooters until very recently. It's not on Beretta's website now, though.

It would have been perfect. Maybe someone still has one for sale?

Let her try a 12 Gauge gas-operated semiauto, though. With target loads, it will have very little recoil. My 1100 has a hard buttplate, and I can shoot it all I want in a t-shirt, no problem.

 

[MAKster]

Beretta 391 is the way to go

Recently there were brand new Beretta 391s on gunbroker.com for only $699. I think some of the large dealers were clearing out the Urikas to make room for the Urika 2.