GUN STUFF

[Bick]

That's what we bought, it was actually my wife's idea.  We've got the pistol and shoulder stock, currently shoulder stock.  It'll take some training for my wife, she watched me fire some light bird load and immediately declined based on the observed recoil.  Bad part is, I've got some serious buckshot loads that would give considerably more recoil.  She's not seen those yet...

JM

18" barrel?  Hopefully in better condition than what mine came in.

Collapsible stock?

[Monsterlover]

I have never fired a shotgun. I'm fine with the recoil and would have no problem picking one up at the range/field and having at it.

If I were intending to use one for defense I would want some instruction from someone who knows what's what.

Some things are best learned by doing. I'm not sure surviving an encounter with an intruder should be one of them.

Then there's the whole level of finding someone you trust to teach you the ropes.

[WarrenJ]

http://www.claytargetsonline.com/club.php/1612

Is this place close to you? I'd take the wife, stop in and just watch for a bit.  Its not tacticool but you can learn a pile about the basics of running a shotgun.  Then you can look at some tactical stuff after you have the basics.  We all want to run before we can walk, but learning the very basic fundamentals well, puts you head and shoulders above most others - that applies to far more than shooting.  

Remember, the more doodads and gadgets you hang on your shotgun, the more you detract from its usability under stress.  One of the main assets of a shotgun is its fit and handiness - make sure any modifications you make do not detract from those assets.  Keep it simple and smooth.  Thats why I recommend a youth size shotgun if women are going to use it.  Some women don't need it, if they are a bit taller than average and have long arms, a regular size shogun will fit them fine.  Most women find that the stocks are far too long for them and the fore end too far forward, especially with a pump.  It puts them all out of position and makes the felt recoil even worse.  I cringe every time I see a guy handing a gal an overlong shotgun and watch the gal cantilever her shoulders back and hips forward, head way back or off the stock because the gun will never fit them.  When they pull the trigger, they get pounded by the recoil because their body is not in a position to handle it, the gun comes up and the stock pounds them in the cheek and their thumb comes back and hits them in the nose.  That is a great way to make sure they never will shoot again.  

My wife's favorite shotgun is a Benelli M1 Super 90 20 ga.  It has a synthetic stock and a 26" vent rib barrel.  It is light, super handy, the recoil isn't bad and it fits her well.  The gun comes with a bunch of shims to adjust the stock length and angle to get it to fit correctly.  Dont rule out a double barrel.  They are way less complex to run and are very intimidating from the front end.  Most of the serious trap, skeet and sporting clay shooters use doubles  because they can be made to fit so well among other reasons.  blah blah blah.....

the moral of the story is if you want your wife to be able to shoot a shotgun, put some serious thought into how you are going to introduce her to it in a manner that will leave her with a positive impression of her first experience.  

[Monsterlover]

Good points and yep, that place is close.

How about a reasonably priced o/u?

[WarrenJ]

No first hand experience with them but CZ handles a line of them that look pretty nice.  I've handled them but not shot them.  They don't look bad for the dollar.  They are made by Huglu in Turkey.

My wife is thinking about parting with her Remington Peerless in 12 ga.  It has short skeet barrels with choke tubs and is cut down for a woman. 

I am real partial to the Berettas.  I have a 686 Silver Pigeon in 28 ga  that I just love. 

I'd head down to that skeet club and see what they are running.  If you talk nice, I would not doubt you two could get some instruction and the opportunity to shoot some different stuff. 

[the_Journeyman]

18" barrel?  Hopefully in better condition than what mine came in.

Collapsible stock?

Not collapsing, but switches with a single bolt.  Condition was fine, it seems to shoot fairly straight.  We've not done any formal training with it because all we have is a very crowded public range and pistol ranges locally.  There is only one private club locally and it's really expensive, so we're not members.

JM

[duc_fan]

<snip>
My wife's favorite shotgun is a Benelli M1 Super 90 20 ga.  
</snip>

Wish I had the scratch for one of those.

Does the semi-auto mechanism reduce felt recoil at all?  I'm think like how an AR has a lot less felt recoil than a .223 bolt-action.

I would *love* to find a woman-focused home and self-defense course.  Your normal courses are generally run by the hardass types... not that there's anything wrong with that, and I like that sort of training for myself.  It's just that sort of environment is not where my wife learns best.  She needs to be built up to a point where she can handle the seriousness and pressure.

[WarrenJ]

I think we did some horsetrading for that benelli so we weren't into it that bad. 

Benelli always claims that their system reduces recoil, but I think they are a little poundy.  Shooting sporting 20 ga loads out of it for skeet and sporting clays isn't bad but 3" loads pop a bit.  My wife always shot Rem 1100's for the combat stuff.  They are pretty soft shooting.  I really like the simplicity and robust construction of the Super 90's.  When we were shooting 2nd Chance and 3 gun stuff, I always kept 3 1100's set up for her because they broke so often.  I'd be behind the line at 2nd Chance with the back up guns, cases of oo Buck, carb cleaner, CLP and lots of spare parts.  I usually ran Win 1300 pumps. 

[duccarlos]

Looking for a moderately priced DA/SA. Opinions?

[ducpainter]

Looking for a moderately priced DA/SA. Opinions?

Pistol?

CZ 75 of any flavor

[The Architect]

I think we did some horsetrading for that benelli so we weren't into it that bad. 

Benelli always claims that their system reduces recoil, but I think they are a little poundy.  Shooting sporting 20 ga loads out of it for skeet and sporting clays isn't bad but 3" loads pop a bit.  My wife always shot Rem 1100's for the combat stuff.  They are pretty soft shooting.  I really like the simplicity and robust construction of the Super 90's.  When we were shooting 2nd Chance and 3 gun stuff, I always kept 3 1100's set up for her because they broke so often.  I'd be behind the line at 2nd Chance with the back up guns, cases of oo Buck, carb cleaner, CLP and lots of spare parts.  I usually ran Win 1300 pumps. 

The local fish and game has a monthly event with the Second Amendment Sisters.   It should be what she is looking for.  And absolutely no men!

http://www.2asisters.org/
   

[duccarlos]

Pistol?

CZ 75 of any flavor

I'll probably go to the range and try as many as I can. From my reading the biggest concern with DA/SA's is the trigger pull.

Anyone tried the P-01?

[ducpainter]

I'll probably go to the range and try as many as I can. From my reading the biggest concern with DA/SA's is the trigger pull.

Anyone tried the P-01?

ducvet has one.

There are drop in parts that will make a CZ's stock trigger rival a custom 1911.

Don't know if you can get them in Chile.

[duccarlos]

ducvet has one.

There are drop in parts that will make a CZ's stock trigger rival a custom 1911.

Don't know if you can get them in Chile.

No longer in Chile  

Just about any gunsmith can do a proper trigger job though.

[ducpainter]

No longer in Chile  

Just about any gunsmith can do a proper trigger job though.

That isn't exactly true unless they understand CZ's.

You can do it yourself with these parts...

so simple even a painter can do it.