I have a Beretta Whitewing 20 that is my favorite. Wife wants an O/U. She doesnt like mine, probly cuz its mine. She shoots a Benelli M2 20, not very good mind you, but its hers. She is convinced she wants an O/U for whatever reason. Where in the world can one go and test drive one? we are in NW Houston. She "thinks" she wants a Benelli 828U, yes I know they only come in 12, she aint scared. Reviews I have read are not favorable. The other 2 Big B's are better according to reviews. Bad thing is she has Champagne taste and i'll be damned if I can tell her no, with all the toys I have. She is a good shot with a rifle and scope, but horrible wing shooter, but loves to do it. I think she might be better with right set up. She is right handed but left eye dominant, so I figure she needs a gun set up to fit her. She understands this also. Looking to be pointed in the right direction. Happy wife.......ya'll know the rest, LOL.

Thanks

How tall is she? Do you know her LOP?

5'9 ish. no idea on her LOP. I know that criteria is important. Kinda hoping to find somewhere to take her where they knew what they were talking about to fit her. Pretty sure she would be willing cuz she knows its imp. for the gun to fit

I think it’s cool she’s into it and loves it. I also agree the fit is real important with shotguns... and golf clubs too Lol. I’d think you could find someone in your area that can help and bet someone will chime in.

Collectors Firearms inside town has the best collection of stuff that you can simply browse. It's been a while since I've been there.

My wife is also 5' 9" which is why I asked. I bought two "women's" shotguns for her, both of which had LOP that were too short, so you might want to avoid "women's" models. Not to derail the thread but I've got a Franchi Affinity Catalyst and a Blaser F16 Intuition that I'd sell reasonably, both of which have been barely shot for the very reason described. I think the women's models are designed for gals between about 5' 2" and 5' 6".

The Cabelas that I've been in carry the Berettas, Benelli, and Rizzini most of the time, but I'd price shop them before buying.

I agree its easy enough to price shop. Finding a good price and a pretty gun to boot really is not the issue. If you buy it and it dont fit, it either becomes a safe queen or a loss when you get rid of it. She's gonna get what she wants to get, without regard to cost, within reason. She's practical enough not to throw away money, but she will spend money if she can justify it. So, I am gonna make her shoot something before she buys, if I can. She's in agreement it needs to fit. I dont think just throwing it up to her shoulder in a showroom is gonna tell enough, but then if I knew enough, I could have already pulled this wild hair of hers

It's a tough situation. 90% of the O/U at most clubs are either Browning or Beretta. If the club is serious then you can toss in Kreighoff and Perazzi, but it's still a pretty limited selection. I will say this about swinging a shotgun in a store: you may not be able to tell that a shotgun really fits, but you can certainly tell when a shotgun fits really badly. When I've swung the Benelli 828s in Cabelas, they felt good, but also very light; great for field shooting, not so great at the range.

The light part is what i am worried about for her getting the **** kicked out of her

I have read either really good or really bad things about 828U. Most end up saying you get more for the money with the other 2 B's

Syren

Beretta Silver Pigeon II.

I would locate a club that has an extensive collection and a great fitter. May even have to make a weekend of it out of town somewhere. I don’t do much shotgunning so I don’t know where to send you but maybe Buzz or somebody else can weigh in.

Yeah i agree, but thats a bit pricey for the amount of use its gonna get. Trying to stay around 2K or less, yes I know it may be hard to do. Same with SPII. I'm hoping the desire will fade and logic will take over, but this is lingering on.......so i dont think it is

Again, if your wife is 5' 9" be careful of "women's shotguns". The LOP will most likely be too short. For $2k you can buy a very nice Browning or Beretta. The Rizzini BR110 can also be had for that.

Given you're in Cypress, I'll second the Collector's Firearms visit recommendation. LOTS to look at, fit, etc. there.

Briley's in Houston.

Papalote

What she really needs to do is shoot left handed if she's not.

its great that SHE wants to be out there with you, sounds like she is okay with your toys, give it a go.

She aint real athletic, bless her heart. I dont think she could. She shoots her 25-06 RH so I really dont see her trying to switch

I have the same problem with eye dominance and eventually have gotten to where I am fairly proficient shooting from either shoulder with rifle or shotgun. Scopes go a long ways of helping with the rifle but closing the dominate eye just before the shot helps me when shooting a shotgun right handed, left I keep both eyes open. It took while but i have shot straights in strp and skeet from either shoulder so I know it can be done.

Some say shoot with an eye patch but that throws off distance jusgement which is important in shotgunning.

It can be done with lots of practice if she is willing to try. A good pellet gun can go a long way in getting over the uncomfortable feeling, though for us true righties shooting left handed will always feel awkward.

As fr as O/U goes I like the Beretta guns better, been shooting one since 86

There's a reason she can't hit anything. Rifle and shotgun are two different things. Sure it'll be uncomfortable and aggravating to begin with, but she'll be learning from scratch, so it's a new platform to build on.
If you listen to podcasts, I can send you one to listen to help understand shotgun fit. He's an Olympic shotgun coach, it's def worth an hour of time to listen to imo

My son is right-handed, left eye dominant. He shot left-handed with a Browning Cynergy and did great (on his HS clay target team for 4 years). Get her some shooting glasses (persimmon lenses are a good choice to make the clays standout) and place a small 1/4" square piece of scotch tape in-line with her right pupil. Don't use a patch or full block, etc., using the small block keeps her peripheral vision. Both eyes open and teaching to "point" the shotgun vs aiming a rifle are important.

I bought the Cynergy here on the THF classifieds and had a Gracoil installed, all for less than $2k. You'll spend some coin on chokes if you do Sporting Clays

Good luck!

Might give American Shooting Center a try. Briley's is also a good spot to find something that will fit her.

22, I am a natural righthander that is left eye dominate. I live an hour and a half north of you. Your wife needs to shoot off her left shoulder to utilize her dominate eye with both eyes open. With both eyes open you see three dimensionally. That gives you the depth perception to judge speed and distance and makes things much easier. She will progress much more quickly. I shoot over unders that are fitted for me and shoot from the left side. That will be far easier for her to pick up than fighting her vision. Being a righty and shooting lefty will not be a problem for her. Not being able to see how the correct sight picture relates to the barrels is most likely the reason she is struggling. I have both a 20 and 12 gauge citori and a 687 SP ll. I shoot some skeet to keep my wing shooting sharp and it is far easier for me off the left shoulder. I shoot in the 20’s with my fair share of 25’s. If your wife wants to try shooting from the left side, pm me and y’all can meet me one day when I’m down there shooting. She is welcome to try any of them. Personally I think after shooting them, the 20 citori’s handling characteristics will be what she prefers but who knows. I usually either shoot at Carter’s or Hot Wells. I can also share my personal experiences with shotgun fitters in the area. I have used Larry Feeland, Brileys, and Dustin Mount in the Houston area. I have also used Coles in Maine.

PM me if you want to let her try a lefty OU. At that point though it is truly her shotgun if you go that route. A left hand cast shotgun will be as worthless to you as a right hand cast shotgun is too me.
There is also a nice lady that shoots an 828 benelli at carters most Saturday mornings. She shoots it quite well at that and does not seem at all bothered by its recoil.