conwict,
I suggest 20 ga or smaller single shot shotguns due to Rule of 96 (weight of gun to payload recoil curve).
The one I keep handy is a H&R, Youth, 20 gauge, with the fixed modified choke, with the factory recoil pad.
Total length is 36" and the barrel itself is 22".
Mine ejects the spent hull.
I currently have a slip on elastic shell holder on the buttstock, made by Koplin.
I grew up with these, and in Youth size, as everyone had one like this.
These fit smaller folks in the home and bigger folks could use it too.
I have used mine to shoot skeet, hunt game from doves, quail, small game, ducks, deer and pest control.
Along with assisting new folks on shotguns, and taking it along on travels, and even when I just needed to babysit a house for someone.
Random Notes:
- I want choke on a shotgun, so what I have is a bone stock youth shotgun, with choke, that is small, easy to tote, and easy to carry in a vehicle.
Which is better IMO/IME than cutting off a longer barrel, therefore losing choke and having a gun that looks, because it was "whacked" to make a "truck gun".
-Butt cuffs.
- Shooting off side with a butt cuff, will not allow one proper cheek wield, and it will cut you, and hurt you.
So, one must do some training and investigate what one really needs in regard to extra shells, like a butt cuff.
These slip on elastic shell holders, will move around with recoil and handling.
a. Use electrical tape to keep in place.
Electrical tape holds up real well, sticks well, easy to remove, and less likely to hurt a finish.
I just get the shell holder in place, and between the first two, and last two shell holders, place the tape and wrap. It does not take much tape.
I have inserted the tape through a shell holder, most times the reason is, these slip ons, being elastic, after some use, and being exposed to sun break down.
Just getting the last bit of use out of one until it needs thrown away.
b. Do not tape in place.
Mine currently is not, nor are the ones I introduce new shooters with , or assist them with.
i. I am old school, and all about correct basic fundamentals, such as gun fit.
I don't want a shell holder on a single shot, or any shell holder on any gun with a new person.
It changes balance of the gun, it distracts a shooter with something else on the gun.
ii. A person may be left handed, so me being right handed, or the guns I used being owned by right handed folks, means that gun is not going to work with a left handed person, or one doing weak hand lessons.
The folks will know I have their safety in mind, I and mine make sure of this.
We explain all of this to them.
Just hand them a cuff, off the gun, with shells and have them place onto their cheek.
It is that obvious gun fit is affected and recoil will hurt.
iii. Belt shell holder, such as used by Cowboy action shooters, are a great option.
If deer season for instance coincides with a small game or upland game season, slugs on the belt compliment the loads for game, no matter if using a shell vest, shell pouch, shells in a jacket pocket, or a butt cuff.
I often just slip slugs on a belt, have the butt cuff with pellet loads and walk property.
I can transition loads, very easy, and know, where the slugs are if need.
At home, I leave mine slip on only as I can "roll" it to the other side, yank it off and slip over strong or weak side arm, or slip it onto my belt...
I share shooting these, just like dangerous game hunters shoot a double rifle, meaning I have a shell in weak hand fingers, fire gun, eject, slip that shell into chamber and fire again.
Once I load that gun, if I do not have a need to shoot again , I snag another shell and have one in weak hand fingers.
This is how I shoot regular skeet, and hunt and get the second shot off fast, by keeping the second shell in weak hand fingers.
Serious situation, I do this too, If I have to shoot three, I have options as to where I get additional shells, belt, or from butt cuff.
Serious use, I only use slugs.
Another reason why mine is not fastened with tape.
If I do travel, and stay in a motel, I can change cuffs and use #3 buckshot in that hotel/motel room.
I mark my cuffs, slug or #3 buckshot, for me, if marked, it means buckshot, if not, slugs.
I have to break this down to simple, just me, and how raised.
I'll stop here to allow you mull this over, feel free to ask more questions.
