mother's special.

[hatchetbearer]

so, im presented with another problem, being the resident gun nut in the family.

My mother's neighborhood has been on the decline since she bought the place. and she has it in her head that she wanted a gun, and seems set on a shotgun, for knockdown power, and to minimize overpenetration issues. She's a short woman, very heavy set, with short arms, and recoil shy, but willing to learn.

I was thinking finding a good used 20ga 870 or 500 youth model with a full choke 18" barrel with a gold bead and loading it with low recoil shotshells.

all of her children are grown and moved out, and she is home alone 99% of the time so keeping a shotgun accessible and secure isnt an issue.

is this combination a decent one, or should i talk her into something else? and If so, what? I've suggested a pistol for CC, but she isnt interested, more of a "house gun" person

thanks again highroaders.

 

[chevyforlife21]

a cheap double barrel or overunder with 18 inch barrel mite be better. will she remember how to use the pump gun when the time comes?

 

[oneounceload]

Haven't seen too many 18" barrels with a full choke - plenty with a Cylinder one- which will work just fine.

I would take her to a range or club where she can try both a 12 and a 20. A heavier 12, with a youth stock, and light loads can recoil less than a lighter 20. Let HER decide which she likes more

 

[Milkmaster]

Being heavy set and short arms...A double barrel sxs with an 18" barrel might fit her better than a pump. The gun is several inches shorter than a pump.

Any choice will NOT be good unless you spend time with her teaching, and she spends time shooting it until she knows the shotgun and how to operate it well.

Good Luck

 

[Gunfighter123]

I would take her to a range or club where she can try both a 12 and a 20. A heavier 12, with a youth stock, and light loads can recoil less than a lighter 20. Let HER decide which she likes more

I agree that a well fitted 12ga. can have less recoil then a 20ga.

 

[stonecoldy]

I like the thought of a reasonably priced side by side in 12 gauge (ex. Stoeger Coach Gun?) with Managed Recoil Buckshot (ex. Remington).
More choices in 12 gauge for ammo options for SD. I have not tried this combination myself but have been considering it for the near future.

I recently purchased the Remington 870 Express Youth Model in 20 gauge, shorter stock, 21" VR for use by my skinny 18 year old son, it is handy but recoil can be sharp, dependent on the loads we ran through it (slugs, #3 buck, etc.). IMHO, it is light to carry but may be a little disconcerting with heavy loads, if that is a concern for your Mom.

 

[hatchetbearer]

I was using the suggestion of a 20 from my uncle, i have limited experience with them myself, I'm a recoil junkie, and more of a handgunner.

i hadnt put too much thought in a SxS, they are hard to come by here for whatever reason, and id be tempted to take it home myself. I thought a double barrel weighed less and then would have recoiled harder than a pump.

I had every intention of trying several and going with the one that worked for her, but i still need somewhere to start, why i screen here for the general consensus.

 

[chevyforlife21]

side by sides and pumps are about equal in weight the double seems lighter cuse they are balanced better. the double is easiest to use if shes not gun savy just slide the safety off and you got 2 shots ready. she might forget to pump the gun if its a pump or even forget how to reload it.

 

[stonecoldy]

As Chevyforlife discussed, less moving of parts on the double barrel.
And most critical, dependent upon her gun handling experience, what your Mom is most comfortable with.
That is more important than caliber. Confidence is key.

 

[dagger dog]

I own and shoot a Remington 870 Express Youth in 20 ga. I'm 5'9" 180 lbs with 33 inch arm, the little shotgun is very fast and light, although it is quite the thumper with heavy 2 3/4" loadings, and plain HOT in 3" stuff. I would say even #4 buck, which in my opinion is minium for defense, would be a little hot in your moms situation of 20 ga and lightweight shotguns.

My father (an ex jockey 5'3" 125 #) used a Win. auto 12 gauge with the stock cut down.
He said it was very comfortable as far as recoil, and was not punishing.

The main thing with shotgun recoil is FIT, you may take mom to a gun club and have one of the local "pro's" check her out on fit, before you buy!

milkmaster may have the right ticket, a Stoeger SxS Coach gun!

 

[docdizzle]

I was browsing around online last night and came across the SxS Stoeger. They even offer it in a specific HD configuration (with rails for lights/etc). I think I've gotta second the side by side. Though Mossberg makes the 500 HD in .410, but that may not be enough (though at close range, ANY amount of shot hitting somebody center of mass will do quite a bit, and the paramedics would be hard-pressed to patch them up). I read somewhere a while back that some people actually recommend a game load over slugs or buckshot due to the sheer volume of pellets.

 

[Starter52]

If you must have a shotgun, then +1 for a double barrel, even if you have to cut back the barrel to 18.5" and superglue a steel BB for a front sight.

Don't get a 12 gauge. There is no need for the blast & recoil of a 12 gauge for home defense. A 20 gauge is good, but a .410 is ideal. Yeah, a .410 bore. The same round that the Judge revolver shoots.

Double barrel Stoeger .410 SxS shotgun with 18" barrel. That's my suggestion.

 

[Jubjub]

A 12 gauge would have by far the most ammo options. From full power buckshot to reduced recoil buckshot to really reduced recoil buckshot like those Aguila minishells or that 6 pellet 00 whose maker escapes me at the moment.