Greg.L Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thinking of buying my other half a gun for her birthday. She joined me when i did my lessons and really enjoyed it and is keen to take it up. Ive since gone on to get my SGC and gun but she hasn't yet so will be buying her a gun on my certificate until she gets hers sorted. Question is what is a good option for a cheap-ish first gun for a lady? She was using a single barrel 410 on the lessons which she got on great with but she wants a o\u so she can shoot two targets now. She tried a 12g with 28g carts and it was a little to much for her. Im going to try her with my 12g sporter with 21g carts this weekend and see how she fairs but i think the gun maybe a bit on the heavy side for her to use long term. So if she finds mine ok but a bit heavy would a 12g field/game gun be ok for a lady with 21g carts or do i look at a 410 o/u or 20g o/u? Id rather her have a 12g as there is more to choose from and we can pick something up a bit cheaper for her but only if its right for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 depends a lot on her build and strength. I started my 16 year old daughter with a short barrelled 12 and 21g cartridges, but she found the gun in itself too heavy after a while. swapped to a 20 bore shooting 21g cartridges and she's much happier. keep your eye out for a secondhand 20 they don't have to be too expensive, I picked a 20 bore rizzini up for zoe that was £300 and in nice condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominicrobed Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Bought mine a maxus semi auto and she loves it. Hardly any kick and just the one barrel so a little lighter in the bsrrel end. My 12 o/u with the two barrels she found to hard to keep them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Best off taking her and letting her hold a few, my mrs humors me one in a blue moon and comes shooting with me. She's never got on with any of the 12b's I've owned but liked my last 20b o/u it's was lighter and a little shorter so suited her. As for cartridges I don't understand the price issues some seem to have I can get 250 for cheaper than 12's depending on where I go and what weight shot, generally the lighter the load the cheaper they are unless you go for fancy brands. Just ask for the cheapest 21g loads in 20b. As for gun I'd be looking at a yildiz 20b o/u or a revo or similar for a cheaper option. What about a 20b semi? Even less recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted February 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks guys, seems like 20b maybe the way to go then. I will definitely take her along when choosing and make sure it fits her etc. I should have said also its for clay shooting if that makes any difference to options and it was the cost of the gun that im trying to keep low rather than being worried about the cost of cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark74 Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 I would probably recommend a 20g, less recoil and the gun will be lighter. She will certainly stand more chance than with the .410. A semi auto 12g with short barrels may also suit as they have less recoil than normal 12g O/U but you would need to go with heavier loads to be sure fired cartridges clear the breach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TbirdX Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 My Mrs started off with a Hatsan 20g Youth Semi and 21g/24g carts. After a year on that she progressed to a Maxus 12g and 24g carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Depends on her size. Gas op 20ga is about the lightest, softest recoiling gun that remains no great handicap on clays. Note there are no top ladys using 20ga competitively instead a 12 ga gun is used exclusive because it has a real edge competitively. A light double 20 in a break action gun will kick more than a 12 in a heavier gun, clay guns are heavier than a game gun for this reason. Although fit is always an issue with Ladys most can actually manage a fairly heavy gun if they are just using it on clays. It might be different if she had to carry one rough shooting all day though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted February 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 So if i was to find her say a light 26-28" 12g and combined it with 21g cartridges would it be similar to her shooting my sporter with say 24g or 28g carts in terms of kick but the gun will be easier for her to handle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) First of all I wouldn't buy a gun for her yet, a course of lessons somewhere with a suitable gun. (Not a .single 410!) And a cheque for the application is a good start. If you do but a gun budget £200 to get it fitted to her. May need adjustable comb, shortened LOP, recoil pad (Isis), forend slimmed etc... Is it for the odd round of clays? Some driven shooting? Rough walk up shooting? Weight counter acts recoil so weight is good, balance is key many ladies need a shorter higher higher stock cutting to get the length right reduces weight and can ruin the balance. A well balanced good fitting gun with lighter carts is the way to go. A FC 26" skeet or game gun can be ideal if it fits. The bore is largely irrelevant if she is very petite 28 bore may be ideal. Edited February 21, 2014 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 the other thing to bear in mind is the amount of time she's been going shooting. couple of ladies I know have started on 20g but progressed to 12g after a bit of time as they've increased their strength/got a bit more experience. with my daughter it wasn't the recoil, it was the gun/barrel weight she struggled with. and that was shooting clays, not lugging it around all day rough shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 First of all I wouldn't buy a gun for her yet, a course of lessons somewhere with a suitable gun. (Not a .single 410!) And a cheque for the application is a good start. If you do but a gun budget £200 to get it fitted to her. May need adjustable comb, shortened LOP, recoil pad (Isis), forend slimmed etc... Is it for the odd round of clays? Some driven shooting? Rough walk up shooting? Weight counter acts recoil so weight is good, balance is key many ladies need a shorter higher higher stock cutting to get the length right reduces weight and can ruin the balance. A well balanced good fitting gun with lighter carts is the way to go. A FC 26" skeet or game gun can be ideal if it fits. The bore is largely irrelevant if she is very petite 28 bore may be ideal. That's good advice lessons with a reputable coach will help no end he/she can then advice on a gun Ladies normally need a shorter lop and higher comb than men. A 20 or 12 is a good option not a 410 IMHO. Gunfit is key to her enjoyment also leave the 28g cartridges at home for her for a while 21g maybe 24 are best. If you near me I'm happy to offer an advice or help. www.dmshooting.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominicrobed Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 My wife started lessons with a 20g and I started with a 12g. No my wife shoots 12g and I shoot 20g and 12g for wildfowling. Best bet is let her have a few lessons with different size and types of shotgun / and cartridge size then she can make up her own mind what she likes and dose not like. Then when she has found a gauge and type of shotgun she likes try a few different brands , barrel length etc then by the time her sgc arrives she can save up and buy the shotgun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 spudgun.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 Thanks guys, seems like 20b maybe the way to go then. I will definitely take her along when choosing and make sure it fits her etc. I should have said also its for clay shooting if that makes any difference to options and it was the cost of the gun that im trying to keep low rather than being worried about the cost of cartridges. Sorry, I was just getting it in before the die hard 12b fans started moaning about the cost of 20b cartridges! I would think a 20b semi is the way forward, but better off letting her tell you what feels best after trying a few. If she's owt like my wife she'll be very good at voicing her opinion, good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) I would think a 20b semi is the way forward, but better off letting her tell you what feels best after trying a few. If she's owt like my wife she'll be very good at voicing her opinion, good luck! I would disagree, but then I don't know your wife GregL, just make certain you aren't using her an excuse to buy another gun, it is very very unlikely the same gun will be ideal for you both. Edited February 21, 2014 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grrclark Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 As many have said, it really all depends on the build of your other half. My wife shoots with a 12b Silver Pigeon, 28" game gun using 24g carts. She is the same height as me, but a much lighter build. She tried out quite a few guns used and new, sporter and game to see what felt right. The one she opted for was not the lightest, but the balance of the gun made it feel lighter in her hands. She started off with 21g carts, but now is happy to use 24g (Gamebore Evo 7.5) same as me without any issue at all. The first few times there was a bit of forearm muscle ache after a little while, but as the muscles get used to mounting the gun she quickly got over that. The only thing she really struggles with now is driven birds coming overhead, she is a demon at trap though. I did suggest she try a semi-auto, but she was really put off by them, the spent shells ejecting she found quite intimidating. The OU is a quieter and simpler gun, apart from the bang obviously, and that gave her much more confidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted February 21, 2014 Report Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) Have a look at a used Beratta 391 Urika FIELD model. I have one of these in 12 bore, 28" barrel. I use it for a lot of instruction work and it is very rare that I have to go to the 20 bore, because of weight or recoil issues. Recently had a group of 6 Ladies from a Hen party, all different height and build, all coped with the 391 and 24 gram cartridge (Express) without a problem. If you need to have stock raised or cast altered, a lot can be achieved with spacers. If it needs shortening, get it done and then, chuck a slip on recoil pad on it and you then have a good pigeon gun for your own use. More practical all round. Also have a look at the Winchester X3. I have never encountered a newcomer being in any way perturbed by using an auto, but I suppose there is always a first. Edited February 21, 2014 by Westley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 So if i was to find her say a light 26-28" 12g and combined it with 21g cartridges would it be similar to her shooting my sporter with say 24g or 28g carts in terms of kick but the gun will be easier for her to handle? generally 21 grm is an over light load for a 12 ga and 28 grm a heavy one for a 20ga (guns perform at their best with loads pertaining to their bore) Let me put it like this if I fired 34 grm loads from my light 12 ga it would hurt a heck of a deal more than over 60 grms from my 10 ga. Reason is the 10 ga has more than double the weight in the gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sishyplops Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Where in norfolk are you ? If your local to me your welcome to try mine, I have a maxus 12g and a short barrel (26") winchester o/u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 same criteria as a bloke really,but of course build/strength/bumps are issues.......i would go 28/20g but she needs to fire/lesson/advice etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codeye Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Look on other sales my son is selling a 20bore lincoln premier gold its a cracking gun for the money and very light hes also open to offers if its any good for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spot.ontheroad Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Took my 15yr old daughter for her first shoot at clays this week and she used my Browning Cynergy 20bore with 24g gamebores (28" barrels) and she did very well. It's not a heavy gun but recoil is negligible. Don't what your budget is but a 20g cynergy is a lovely gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.L Posted February 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Thanks for all your replies and help guys. There's certainly a lot of food for thought there and some really good advice too thanks! We went and had a go at some clays today and she used my 12g with 21g carts and got on fine, said the kick was fine and she wasn't worried by the weight of it either... In fact she kept saying to me "I really like your gun!" So I think she has her eye on it now! I think I'll take her along a few more times and make sure she's happy with a 12g and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominicrobed Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 Nice one fella !! Let her try the gun with some 24 gram carts after she has been a few times , my wife is fine with 28 grams ( she loves black golds) but dose not get them very often ha ha ha P.s Looks like you might need a new thread !!! WHAT NEW GUN SHOULD I GET AS MY WIFE NOW HAS MY ONE ! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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