JamesMoody3 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 My missus has well and truly got the bug after her first lesson with bakerboy at the A1 on Sunday, and she's been on the clays with me 5 or 6 times previously. She shoots really well with my browning, and Terry will vouch for that statement, but after 50 clays her arms start to shake where she finds it too heavy bless her. It's her birthday end of the month and she wants me to buy her a shotgun. Nothing brand new mind, and I want to know which guns you guys recommend that are fairly lightweight. I don't want to buy her a 20 bore, she manages the recoil with 28g cartridges through my 12 fine, literally it's just the weight of the gun that puts her off it. Is there any makes or models which are known to be lighter? Without having my pants pulled down over the price. Would rather not go down the semi auto route either tbh. Cheers all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehb102 Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 My missus has well and truly got the bug after her first lesson with bakerboy at the A1 on Sunday, and she's been on the clays with me 5 or 6 times previously. She shoots really well with my browning, and Terry will vouch for that statement, but after 50 clays her arms start to shake where she finds it too heavy bless her. It's her birthday end of the month and she wants me to buy her a shotgun. Nothing brand new mind, and I want to know which guns you guys recommend that are fairly lightweight. I don't want to buy her a 20 bore, she manages the recoil with 28g cartridges through my 12 fine, literally it's just the weight of the gun that puts her off it. Is there any makes or models which are known to be lighter? Without having my pants pulled down over the price. Would rather not go down the semi auto route either tbh. Don't rush to get a 20G or a 28G. If she gets a 12G Browning and gets it fitted so it doesn't feel heavy, and then goes out and uses it, it won't be long before she can shoot as many clays as she wants. Also, if you shoot cheap 12G cartridges for a couple of years you can buy a 20G with the money you've saved. I went out on Sunday with yet another lady who had started with a 20G and has upgraded to a 12G because she wants to do well at clays. Browning 525/725, Beretta SIlver Pigeon and the Syren are much loved in the Shotgun & Chelsea Bun Club. I have seen a couple of ultralights but I didn't like them myself. I did like the Browning synthetic gun, but everyone warned me off. There are some very delicate looking ladies shooting 12G guns, so do get her to stick with it. Arm ache at the beginning is normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesMoody3 Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Neither of us want her to start shooting a 20, she is fine shooting my 12 bore it's just the weight of the actual gun. Buying a 20 is the last resort, really don't want to go down that route. Just after a few guns to keep an eye out for, that are lighter than my browning 525. Obviously she will try the guns for weight and fit before she makes me hand over my wallet, just I don't know what to look for really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 She will probably find after a short while her muscles build up and she gets used to the weight. I was adviced to practice swinging the gun at home about 10 or 20 times a night. You soon get used to it. I have a Winchester select light which is not too heavy and low recoil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 If you drop the weight of the gun, you will need to reduce the cartridge load to keep the perceived recoil the same. I would stick with your 12b at present, until muscles build up and then make a choice. If you truly want to go down light weight route, and secondhand or similar priced, something like a turkish yildiz or khan/revo run about 6.5lbs to 7lbs with alloy receivers, Franchi Falconet 451 multichoke is also quite good value. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesMoody3 Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks for your advice guys, I'll tell her to man up lol. I've got a feeling after a few more lessons she'll be shooting better than me anyway lol. Lookout Shotgun and Chelsea Bun Club! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danger-Mouse Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 When I first started using my MK38 I had a similar problem as it`s considerably heavier than my first gun was. After several months shooting it the problem just went away. My advice, buy something that fits, carry the gun in a slip between stands and eventually she`ll get used to the weight. It`s like any form of exercise, it takes time for the muscles used to build up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinchesterDave Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Winchester select Light ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humperdingle Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Some regular dry practice at home will strengthen the muscles she uses to hold the gun up. If I play a session of snooker after a long break (pardon the pun), my legs and shoulders ache purely because I'm not used to contorting the old body in that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedster Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Got my lass a Yilditz 20b, blimey she's like calamity Jane with it! The thing is so light, alloy receiver with steel on the bits that wear, nice wood on it too. I can't fault it if it makes her happy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Price range would be useful. Yildiz is good and light as a cheaper gun Beretta ultra light of course. But as Terry no doubt explained gun fit is very important for ladies and a lighter gun with the same weight cartridge will recoil more so gun fit becomes more important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 The weight of your gun may be why she does not mind the recoil!! Roughly how heavy is the lass? U. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolk dumpling Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Gun fit crucial - went through this with daughter. Instructor at High Lodge (John Bidwell's ground) excellent in recognising issues. She ended up shooting very well with my old Bettinsoli plus taped on comb raiser. Gunsmith sorted out some 24g 12g loads of lower velocity too. Find the right expertise and anything possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesMoody3 Posted October 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Thanks for all the responses, quite overwhelming. Like most people have said, I think we will keep her on my browning for now, and not rush into buying one for herself just yet. The more she uses mine the lighter it will be as most of you have said on here. But if I were to stumble across a 12 bore that is light and fits perfect and she happens to love I won't hesitate on buying it for her. Welsh warrior, thanks, a few people have mentioned yildiz to me I'll have a look at them. I'm not worried about buying a lighter cartridge if that's what she needs, it's just not nice seeing her shake with the weight of it on her last stand and I'm worried she'll get it into her head that my shotgun is too heavy for her and she won't hit anything when her arms start to ache. Once again thank you all, bloody helpful morning it's been! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Welsh warrior, thanks, a few people have mentioned yildiz to me I'll have a look at them. +1 - they're mostly aluminium in the middle and the barrels are, how shall I say, "not Baikal-heavy". Quite the opposite in fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Consider the barrel length and gun balance as much as the total weight. The longer the barrel the further forward the weight will be and the more she will struggle into a session. A 26" barrel will keep some of the weight further back in balance and help a lot. Also as noted, just getting out and shooting semi regularly will build the muscles that she'll need. Women don't tend to naturally have the upper body muscles specific to shooting. Just a once a week session should help a lot. rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyatt Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 I agree with the weight comments, it is about muscle memory and being use to working with it. I'm not the biggest bloke in the world and struggle to hold a rifle on target without waving round like a french surrender monkey. I'm trying to train this out of me as I've tried weights and I'm too lazy.. (lets not lie about this..!). Fit as others have mentioned is most important, weight may become an issue after this maybe not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malantone Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 (edited) Beretta ultra light first time I got hold of one I nearly threw it over my shoulder it was so light. have a look here https://www.guntrader.uk/Guns-For-Sale/results Edited October 14, 2015 by malantone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning 425 clay hunter Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Have you looked at berettas, I hear there for girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westley Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Try to stick with a 12 bore 28" barrels and weighing under 7 1/4 lbs. I have a Beretta 391 'Field' model which I use for Instruction and corporate events, including many groups of young ladies, it weighs under 7 lbs. 24 gram loads in the auto or even 21 gram in a lightweight O/U. 12 bore ammo is more readily available and tends to be cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Winchester Select light Beretta Ultra light To be honest most companies do a light version Benelli have brought out a strange looking beast but it is very light, 28" Barrels, multichoke, you won't get a used one at the moment they are too new, Personally I'm not struck on the looks but each to their own, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesMoody3 Posted October 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Thanks for the replies everyone, all quite overwhelming the amount of advice you've all offered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortune Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 My missus has well and truly got the bug after her first lesson with bakerboy at the A1 on Sunday, and she's been on the clays with me 5 or 6 times previously. She shoots really well with my browning, and Terry will vouch for that statement, but after 50 clays her arms start to shake where she finds it too heavy bless her. literally it's just the weight of the gun that puts her off it. Is there any makes or models which are known to be lighter? Why has she got to shoot more than 50? If she can do that amount carry on with the 50 for the time being until she gets the muscle groups built up. I've got 4 daughters that have all shot and two of them prefer to use a side by side. It isn't a situation whereby clays have to be shot with an O/U. There are some seriously cheap Side by side out there because they aren’t in fashion now but there’s loads of blokes on here that love to shoot a SbS. I’ve got all sorts >Single barrel, pump, SbS, O/U It all depends on what level you expect to shoot at and whether it is thought of as serious or shooting for fun. If you shoot with others try their guns and see what suits. She needs to do the choosing just as you would do if you were buying a gun for yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 The young lady in question shoots well, the gun fits her with a slight modification. Mounting the gun at home is good advice but the person should stop before the arms start to ache, gently, gently is the way forward. At the next lesson a lighter gun will be used, equally a lighter cartridge will also be used. The young ladies arms were aching before she got to 50 so breaks were taken to ease the problem. It is difficult to decide what level you want to shoot at after 1 lesson, this will come with experience. Between us, James and I will keep you in the picture as to how progress is made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted October 15, 2015 Report Share Posted October 15, 2015 The weight of your gun may be why she does not mind the recoil!! Roughly how heavy is the lass? U. I can see that you are a man who lives dangerously, ex SAS perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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