Womens Shotgun

HeadWrecked93

Ok so a few weeks ago I started a thread on what type of wellies to buy for shooting and got some great advice and now things have progressed rapidly and I'm looking at buying a shotgun ideally light with low recoil and cheap <500 if possible

I couldn't find any threads on here but surly I'm not the first women to buy a shotgun for shooting so any advise from other women shooters or from the men who bought guns for their OH.

I've done a bit of online research and 20g guns seem to be recommended alot esp remington 1187 and 870.

Luckysasha

If your worried about the recoil beretta have a "kick off" system available on their 12g A400 range of guns. I have been doing a bit of research myself lately on shotguns with low recoil as I have a shoulder injury which I thought up till now would prevent my from shooting clays. I have yet to try one out but the point I'm making is there are options out there if you do a bit of research.

pm.

Luckysasha wrote: »

If your worried about the recoil beretta have a "kick off" system available on their 12g A400 range of guns. I have been doing a bit of research myself lately on shotguns with low recoil as I have a shoulder injury which I thought up till now would prevent my from shooting clays. I have yet to try one out but the point I'm making is there are options out there if you do a bit of research.

I have the A400 semi 12g and the kick off is brilliant would highly recommend it. You will probably struggle to find one below 500 tho?

Bogwoppit

A 20 bore would also be a lot lighter to carry than a 12.

What type of shooting do you intend to do?

HeadWrecked93

Will be shooting ducks, pheasants and other birds.

Luckysasha

pm. wrote: »

I have the A400 semi 12g and the kick off is brilliant would highly recommend it. You will probably struggle to find one below 500 tho?

Which A400 is it? The only one I can find for sale in Ireland is the Xtreme in a cammo version.

HeadWrecked93

What's the best website for looking up guns available in Ireland new and secondhand

Luckysasha

There are very few dealers that have decent websites for this purpose. If you google gun dealers Ireland you will get about 4 or 5 websites you can look through. Sportsden in Navan have a decent one. Best bet is you tube and do a bit of research first then visit your local RFD preferably with a clay shooting range attached so you can actually try before you buy as such.

HeadWrecked93

Where will I find a list of Irish RFD??

Luckysasha

Google can be your friend. I remember a while back Cass posted a list of RFDs on here I'm sure if you do a search you will come across his post. Where are you located are you prepared to travel if needs be

Cass

First of all, welcome to the addiction. It always starts with something simple , like a pair of wellies.

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Where will I find a list of Irish RFD??

Look under my post to my signature line. You'll find many links to RFDs, online shops, ranges, etc, etc. Simply click on each one and find the nearest one tto you or the thread for the online shops.

Eddie B

Id just bite the bullet, and go for a 12g. Don't worry to much about kick etc, just look for a gun that fits you well. There's lots of nice light gun's out there these days, compared to what was available when I was a young lad. That's a long time ago. lol

ronn

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Where will I find a list of Irish RFD??

What part of the country are you in,

grassroot1

Best thing to do if you are planning to take up the sport is to take shooting lessons from a shooting coach.
With regard to guns buy the best you can afford and get fitted for it.
Good luck, one less of them one more of us!!!

HeadWrecked93

ronn wrote:

What part of the country are you in,

Offaly

ronn

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Offaly

I can't help ya, but I'm sure someone will be on to point you to a decent local RFD,

Eddie B

Athlone would be your best bet. You've got Wild Hunter, and Mc Brides. Also, Mulvihill's in Ballymahon has some very reasonabley priced, new and secondhand gun's.

SureHowBad

You could also call into Nial Kirwan in Dalystown,

http://www.lakelandshootingcentre.ie/

a gentleman to deal with and would have plenty of choice.

Cass

Drop into the MNSCI range any Saturday or Sunday. There is a clay range, tuition and an on site RFD. So you can try out some shooting and perhaps find something that suits.

Eddie B

Cass wrote: »

Drop into the MNSCI range any Saturday or Sunday. There is a clay range, tuition and an on site RFD. So you can try out some shooting and perhaps find something that suits.

Cass, do they actually sell gun' there? I knew he sold ammo, but heard nothing about gun's. I actually live about three miles down the road from it, but have to admit, I've never set good in the place.

Cass

Yup.

They store firearms for members, and sell them for members too. However they have a range of firearms for sale from rifles to shotguns. Now to what extent that is i don't know. The armory is pretty full and i've never asked for someone to point out what is for sale and what is in storage, but they do sell guns.

I've seen FTR rifle, hunting rifles, rimfire, etc new and second hand for sale before.

Luckysasha

I still find it hard to believe that a lot of RFDs don't have a decent website. Even trying to get prices on ammo etc reminds me of the old day's leafing through the phone book and sitting there with a pen and paper. Am I missing something, is there a reason lads won't use the web to advertise what they have for sale. The only explanation I can think of is security reasons but there has to be more to it than that.

HeadWrecked93

Spent 6 hours out shooting about 4.5 with a 12 bore and rest with a 20 bore and I can definitely say I will be purchasing a 20 bore. Was much lighter to carry could get 3 shots in instead of 2 and virtually no recoil!
Winged a pheasant with the 20 bore too but silly dog caught him and let him go never to be seen again !!
20 bore was a bit more tricky to load but I'm sure it just takes getting used to.

FISMA.

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

I've done a bit of online research and 20g guns seem to be recommended alot esp remington 1187 and 870.

The 1100 and 1187 are both auto's, the 870 is a pump. The pump will be a bit of a drawback on the clay line shooting doubles.

I shoot my 20ga better than any 12ga in trap and skeet.

The 20ga is lighter and shorter. Thus, making it easier to swing. If you have to catch up and swing through, the 20 ga is much easier than the 12ga.

Was just about to ask...

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Will be shooting ducks, pheasants and other birds.

Hmmmm... Tough call now.

I've shot ducks tried to shoot ducks in and around the Shannon with a 12ga and wished I had magnums. They are the most skitterish ducks I have seen in the world. Don't know what ye be doing to them! Deer aren't that nervous in my neck of the woods!

I would not recommend the 20ga if ducks will be a major concern.

Pheasants wouldn't worry me too much as again, the lighter, shorter gun will be easier to snap-to target and swing through.

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Offaly

Try Mulvihill's on the road from Ballymahon to Lanesborough. Great selection to shoulder.

garrettod

Hi,

I've used a 20 bore in times past, never an issue with them when shooting phesant etc. Duck might be more of a challenge, but with the right ammunition, no major reason why it can't be done at reasonable height. As others here have already mentioned, the 20 bore tends to be lighter and shorter, so nice if your out carrying it for a few hours.

I would suggest you get on the phone to a half dozen of the gun clubs, as many have guns for sale - often owned by other club members and sometimes you can pick up a decent second hand gun at a reasonable price. While the club will be getting a few quid for selling a members gun, there's also often more room to negotiate, particuarly if the member wants to release funds quickly to help pay for something else they have fallen in love with. Finally, there's obviously also the benefit of being able to try before you buy with second hand guns at a gun club, not all shops have facilities as readily available.

As others here have said, it's a real shame with regards to the lack of decent websites showing all available stock. While I appreciate that there's work in keeping websites up to date with regards to second hand stock, it would certainly be a service many shooters would appreciate and I would have thought, help with more sales.

Nekarsulm

Clarkes in Navan have four 20 Bore shot guns listed on their website. From 250 Euro to 1800 Euro.
I was in the shop last Thursday, and I would estimate that there is probably as many more guns there as what is listed, so a phone call to Stephen might throw up more options.

Grizzly 45

The best website I find for checking out guns is the "www.ring and drive there to view it.com":P.Seriously,if you are looking for any type of gun here,it's best to go and look and try it out in person,for the time and money spent it's worth it.
As for a 20 GA taking ducks and geese even ..Why not?So long as you are a bit quicker on the trigger,and can estimate distances better for a good clean shot. A 20 magnum will do what a std 12gauge will with less hurt to your shoulder.
BTW RE Remington 1100 and 870 in 20 GA.Nothing wrong with them,they are solid pieces of work,but might be a tad hard to find as the majority are 12 GA here.20 ga here seems to be all twin tubes of various different types.
Lightest one I've ever handled here and was a real cutie was the French" Baby Breton", An Over under you pulled apart to load and eject,it came in a neat case with a spare 20 ga slug barrel and was designed specifically for people of a slight build.Haven't seen one in yonks tho. Hence ,I say drive around,you might find somthing that you weren't looking for but you "connect with" when you see and pick it up.You'll know and understand what I'm on about when it happens.

garrettod

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

The best website I find for checking out guns is the "www.ring and drive there to view it.com":P. .....

Only problem is there's a significant amount of time involved and often wasted using that approach (not to mention the cost of fuel and phonecalls)

By all means, go and handle a gun to see if it fits you and preferably shoot it, before you buy... but it's wrong to expect people to spend a fortune on phonecalls and travel costs unnecessarily and that can often happen (due to fellas down the end of a phone trying to get people into their shops under false pretences).

Nekarsulm

Was in MC Grahams in Monaghan town last week, and they have a very nice Beretta semi-auto on the shelf.
I think they had an O/U as well, but didn't pay it much attention.
A bit of a drive away from Offaly, I know.

Grizzly 45

garrettod wrote: »

Only problem is there's a significant amount of time involved and often wasted using that approach (not to mention the cost of fuel and phonecalls)

By all means, go and handle a gun to see if it fits you and preferably shoot it, before you buy... but it's wrong to expect people to spend a fortune on phonecalls and travel costs unnecessarily and that can often happen (due to fellas down the end of a phone trying to get people into their shops under false pretences).

And it can work the other way too..You can make an old clunker look great with the right lighting and angle .Thing is doing somthing crooked like that,will get you a reputation of the wrong kind very fast. I have had two experiances of that with cars,and I fuked both sellers out of it big time after a three hour drive both ways.If it is over an hours drive either way,I ring them and tell them I'm on the way and is this item still in the shop/yard and I expect to see it when I get there at X time of arrival. Each to their own,but me personally,I would never again part with good money on the word of the seller or a net picture for anything in Ireland ever again.

Nekarsulm

Went to look at a Baikal semi auto, and the guy then tells. me "it must be sold". So i am looking at a Remington etc, and every gun has a price tag on the trigger guard. Then he suddenly exclaims from behind me" oh look, here it is".
As he hands it to me, i see the thread off the price tag sticking out of his hand, and no tag on the gun. How much is it? i ask . His price had magically gone up to 600, when the website that morning had it at 499!
Left him. with it, as he thinks so much of it!

garrettod

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

....Each to their own,but me personally,I would never again part with good money on the word of the seller or a net picture for anything in Ireland ever again.

I'm sure you saw my comment about going and handling the gun, ideally shooting it etc. so I'll take it we're ultimately on the same page here Grizzly

However, there are obvious benefit to a well maintained up to date website:

saves cost and commute times by helping people avoid wild goose chases.

helps ensure that the list price is in the public domain so there's no "funny stuff" when you get there, such as the incident that Nekarsulm just described above.

offers a far bigger "shop window" for fellas selling guns to advertise

Nekarsulm

Garrettodd, Its still up on their website at 499!

garrettod

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Garrettodd, Its still up on their website at 499!

Maybe you should drop them a line and point that out, if it's a genuine error I'm sure they will quickly correct it

Grizzly 45

Only other peeve I would have with this is the fact many dealers here put up stock photos of the gun in new condition..At least have the decency to do a pic of the gun you are selling,warts an all.Otherwise you could be done for false advertising of goods.Its not that hard with camera phones and a white sheet these days.

garrettod

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

....Its not that hard with camera phones and a white sheet these days.

Absolutely, all the more reason why there's no real excuse for not having a quality website for all to view

I can't decide if it's just down to a combination of laziness and poor salesmanship, or this notion that people in our sport need to hide in the shadows and not enable any publicity about our sport, the guns we use etc. Either way, it's a bad thing imho.

HeadWrecked93

Going to view a 16 bore shotgun tomorrow. All I know at the moment it's a side by side single trigger and it's going for 350.

Going to see it with himself who knows abit about shooting but just wondering is there anything I should look out for or ask?

Seller said he will measure me to change stock, shoulder bad etc.

Himself going to insure it in his name and keep it in his safe and I'll be a named or trainee user while I work on getting my licence

skipking

ammo might be a bit of an issue for a 16 bore as i dont think many dealers stock 16g ammo.

HeadWrecked93

Bought a brand new huglu hawk 20bore today. Loved the feel of it. Just have to get license sorted now and I'll be able to collect her in the next couple of weeks hopefully before season finishes!

skipking

best of luck with your your new gun. let us know how you get on with it. safe shooting.

grassroot1

One more of us one less of them.:D

HeadWrecked93

Ok can some one give me a brief explanation on the different types of ammunition to me and what each are for??

Quick search of 20bore ammunition online has turned up the following;

20g 5,6,7,8
24g 7.5 trap
25g 5,6,7,8
28g 5,6,7, 7.5
31g 5,6
35g 5

Stonehall9

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Ok can some one give me a brief explanation on the different types of ammunition to me and what each are for??

Quick search of 20bore ammunition online has turned up the following;

20g 5,6,7,8
24g 7.5 trap
25g 5,6,7,8
28g 5,6,7, 7.5
31g 5,6
35g 5

Hi the lower the g number above are the lightest loads in those shot sizes, so normally the lightest loads would have least recoil or kick, 24g trap would be a preferred clay pigeon cartridge, 28g 6/7 would be for say pheasants or partridge, and 35g 5 would be high ducks , that's just a rough guide, in rough shooting terms anyway, would all depend on your quarry of course.😀

skipking

i normally us 28g for just about everything but i nearly always carry a couple of heavy ones in case i might need one.

Rosahane

I shot off two boxes of the 31g no 6 at clay pigeons using the Miroku 20 Bore I bought for my daughters.

I wouldn't do it again

HeadWrecked93

Rosahane wrote:

I wouldn't do it again

Recoil??

Rosahane

HeadWrecked93 wrote: »

Recoil??

Yes indeed, fairly hefty recoil in a light gun. They broke the clays well though, even when the clays were well out, but I had a few bruises. Although shooting 50 in about 20 minutes was a bit extreme.
It's very nice to shoot clays with the 24g 7.5.

Double Barrel

Rosahane wrote: »

It's very nice to shoot clays with the 24g 7.5.

24g loads are your friend.;):)

Caesar Guerini/Fabarm’s Syren came out with a line of guns with stocks actually designed to fit women’s bodies. Not inexpensive though.
https://syrenusa.com/shotguns-for-women/

Franchi has the Catalyst O/U and Affinity semi auto with similar stock profiles as the Syren.
http://www.franchiusa.com

Good luck with your search.
DB

arrowloopboy

Only one option .243 ,

Oooh sorry taught ya said rifle :eek::D:D.