Hey y'all,

I am searching for a new shotgun that must fit some specific needs. I need a shotgun that is suitable for skeet shooting and dove hunting, with the lowest recoil/weight possible. I had a dirt bike accident that damaged my shoulder and collarbone on my dominant side (left), so now I have a metal plate that the butt of the gun recoils into and it is tearing me up, even with a good recoil pad and a shooting pad under my shirt.

I was thinking just drop from 12 GA to 20, but I am reading that some 20 kick just as hard. I am assuming what load goes into it is going to make a big difference as well. I also understand that reducing weight correlates to higher recoil, so I would choose a somewhat heavier gun to reduce it. The lighter, the better though as a relatively small framed female.

Semi auto would be highly preferable but not necessary.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated!

Some 20 kick just as bad as the 12 does. Can always go 28 gauge but not anywhere near as cheap or easy to find. I'd go to a range that has some to rent and try a few. What I feel works best may not be what is best for you. I like the beretta personally but I've shot plenty of 1100s that were not to bad either. Good recoil pad will help some too but sounds like you already had that covered.

You may try this too. If you have not all reddy...... Worked in Argentina for me! Rental plan is a good idea.



http://www.cabelas.com/product/EVOSHIELD...mp;gclsrc=aw.ds

I know someone that had dominant (right) shoulder issues. What they ended up doing was to learn to shoot a shotgun left handed. It wasn't easy to relearn, but they eventually did.

A Benelli super sport 20 or 12

It has ported barrel and a recoil system built into the stock that reduces felt recoil and muzzle rise

I can shoot shotguns left or right handed so I usually just switch. But that's not an easy swap for most people.

Hey Gimmie... Sorry to hear about the injury.

In this case it's impossible to have light recoil and light weight. Weight of the gun is what helps absorb and reduce the recoil.

Depending on your budget I'd suggest a Remmington 1100 or 11-87 in 20ga. (Around $500 used)
Remington Versa Max is supposed to be a bit milder, but would run $800 or so for a used if you could find one.

You might try a lighter load in the 12Ga. Federal makes a 12 ga target load with 7/8 oz shot. What are you currently shooting? No doubt a semi auto will have less felt recoil than a semi auto using a comparable load. Gimme some feedback GimmeABuck.

Sorry, should have posted the shotguns I have!

Mossberg 500 18 inch barrel- I got this gun before my accident and it kicks like a dang mule. Tried it for skeet and immediately regretted decision. Will be kept as a home defense/occasional pig gun.

Benelli M1 super 90 LH 24 inch barrel. Definitely not as bad as the Mossberg, but not ideal.

Shooting Winchester 1 oz, 7 1/2 shot through both.

Normanpig, I have something similar but it admittedly doesn't look as nice. I might pick that one up, looks like a better design! Thanks.

Going to make a list of all these suggestions and see which ones I can rent (not too far from San An, I am sure I can find a range there that has a wide selection.)

I am thinking about trying right handed, but I am so left dominant I cannot even close my left eye without closing my right. I suppose I could try keeping both eyes open, but I've always shut my right eye. If I can't find a suitable shotgun, I'm probably gonna just have to practice a LOT that way.

Thank yall so much!

Shoot with both eyes OPEN! Both Winchester and Federal make a reduced recoil shell. Less shot = less pressure = less recoil. I've got some I'd let you have if you were closer. Good luck!

Girl, I went from a .12 to a .20 and finally wised up and bought an O/U in .28. Love it. Recoil is about as brutal as a mouse fart, and I've been able to consistently hit more clays.

28 Gauge Franchi would be a good one. Really any gas operated 28 ga would be my suggestion

Try out the Beretta A400. It's specifically designed with trap and skeet in mind and engineered for low recoil. Get it with their kick off recoil system and the felt recoil is almost nothing. Alpine shooting range has one you can rent in 20ga. My wife is recoil sensitive and she loves it. She can shoot it all day. But it's pricey at about $1700.

I would do this and go to a 20. My quail hunting buddy in high school broke his right arm and started shooting left handed. He can now shoot just as good with either hand. He shoots shotgun left handed and rifle with the right but can switch either way. In high school it was fun giving him a hard time for missing when he was learning to shoot wrong handed because he had a Birddog that was better than either one of mine.

Look for a Beretta semi-auto with the Kick-off system. Lightweight gun and very light recoil.

Benelli Super Black Eagle II is the softest shooting 12 gauge I've ever shot. My other shotgun is a Browning A5. It kicks like a mule.

Thank you guys and gals, very much appreciate the feedback. Hadn't even considered a .28 but will be looking for one to rent as well as an assortment of 12s and 20s. Berettas seem to be a common suggestion so I will be putting that at the top of the list.

Jetdad, I appreciate the thought! I have tried shooting with both eyes open but closing the right seems to be almost a reflex. Probably because my vision in my right is poorer so it became a habit throughout the years. Actually got a new pair of glasses just a few weeks ago, will be interesting to see if accuracy with both eyes open can go up now.

Winchester SX3 is the lightest recoil gun I've owned. I've have Beretta and Benelli but the SX3 was the lightest, it just didn't fit me well. Benelli is never the answer due to the inertia action, gas will recoil softer.

I would try to learn shooting right handed. If you have a metal plate even lighter recoiling shotguns could cause more damage over time than you think. As far as your eyes, it's best to wing shoot with both eyes open anyway.

Beretta a400 with kickoff

Ported barrels do not reduce recoil. Actually ported barrels are useless.

Beretta A400 xtreme absolutely no recoil

The Winchester SX3 and the Browning Maxxus are probably the softest shooting auto loaders on the market.

I might have the perfect solution for you.... And I might just let you shoot it and see just how much you love it.. Clues:

It's Pretty

It's Light

It's a Shooter Clays N Doves don't have a chance...

It has chokes so you have options...

It doesn't Kick, it Kisses

It's Italian....

It's has really pretty hand rubbed Oil Finish

And it's $1,000 shipped to you and you can return it within a week or two as long as it's not damaged for a full refund.

I'll even throw in a box of shells.

It's just like this one...

https://www.gunsamerica.com/938274284/FR...N-HARD-CASE.htm

Here She Is.....

Only mine is a 28 Ga.





This gun is not for sale to anyone else until She officially says No.

She's a Franchi 28 Ga. Imported by Benelli

Denny

A400 with a kickoff system. Look for the 20g Xcel with the Kickoff. Its a little heavier than the standard A400 and has some target gun features.

A400 Xcel