mother needs help managing recoil

[Busyhands94]

hello everybody! Yesterday i took my mother to the gun club to go shoot shotguns, she got a bad bruise on her shoulder from the 12 gauge after firing 1 box full. is there any kind of pad that you can just strap onto the shoulder that can help with the recoil? the gun had a nice cushy recoil pad on it and i fired exactly 75 rounds through that exact shotgun and my shoulder does not hurt at all. we are about the same size and weight, so i don't think that she was holding it correctly.

 

[Black Butte]

There are shooting shirts available with recoil pads sewn in:

http://www.cabelas.com/mens-shooting-vests-shell-bags-evo-shield-recoil-shield-shirt-handed.shtml

This product may also be interesting:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/limbsaver_protective_pad.htm

Additionally, If the weather is not too warm, try wearing a bulky jacket.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Proper form and a proper gun mount are critical, and are learned skills. Does this club offer lessons for beginners? Does it have any instructors who are women by chance?

Proper gun fit is also critical. The same gun might not fit two people the same way even if the two people are similar height. Again, a club pro should have a handle on evaluating proper gun fit for a given shooter.

While it might be that a strap-on recoil pad might help, and they are pretty widely used in some circles ( http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/past/catalog.asp?family=past-recoil-pads ), please make sure the fundamentals are taken care of first...

lpl

 

[451 Detonics]

There are trap/skeet vests that have pockets for pads like the PAST recoil pads.

 

[Chance55]

Proper fit is critical. Or how about trying some lighter loads. I usualy buy FIOCCHI 7/8 oz #8 shot for my wife and 16 year old daughter. They are pretty user friendly and bust clays just as well as the heavier loads if the shooter does theyre part.

C55

 

[oneounceload]

Fit and light loads - just because you are "about the same size", does NOT mean you will be be able to shoot the same stock dimensions. It also sounds like she is letting the stock hit her shoulder and she does not have it properly mounted - difficult to do if it doesn't fit

 

[guzzi]

recoil

For a "Tactical Shotgun" class I used a PAST Recoil Protection pad (made in China). It's one of those strap-on type pads, and it worked. A bit more than 200 rounds through a Beretta 1201FP (very light weight) 12 ga shotgun, and I was still sore. However, for casual shotgun operation, this pad would definitely work well.

Shotguns are a blast.

 

[Busyhands94]

well i am starting to think i should take some time at the gun rack and help her choose a shotgun that fits her well, probably a 20 gauge with some light loads. i should also go out when there is nobody on the line and have them launch a few clays for her to blast, and just have her get accustomed first. if she still needs help i might need to save up and buy her some of the shotgun accessories and shotgun paraphernalia that will make shooting more of a pleasure.

 

[oneounceload]

Take her to the club and see what they have in the way of rentals or folks letting her borrowing and trying some out. They may also have lessons designed for women only - many trap/skeet/sporting places are doing that to getr female shooters - they'll have try guns and some basic pointers on how to handle the gun, what to look for, etc.

 

[Busyhands94]

another good idea! i will look into a shotgun course geared towards women! i think i might take her to a safe location, borrow a shotgun, and help her get accustomed to gun handling. i mean she does not know all that much about firearms (she asked to try a .22 at the trap range) so i think i will try and accustom her to guns.

 

[45crittergitter]

My solution would be a 20 gauge gas operated auto.

 

[johnthomas]

I have an 870 with a blackhawk coil reducing stock, they make them for different brands of shotguns. Mine is an adjustable stock, perfect for different shooters. Here is an example of the regular looking stock. I highly recommend these.
http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=jLirTe-BGaTRiAKw_dHbDg&ved=0CCsQ8wIwAw#

 

[Dr Dave]

I was getting huge bruises with my 20ga till a Marine at work told me I was placing it more in my bicep than in the crook of my shoulder. Haven't had a problem since. Hope that's it!

 

[chrome_austex]

If she can push towards the target with her left hand on the handguard, pull straight back on the grip with her right, and lightly touch her shoulder with the buttstock, thats going to give the best relief from recoil, and might help her with accuracy too.

 

[Tomcat47]

I would go 20 guage or even the magnificent 28 Ga. to solve this issue!