Shotgun advice

[Snack]

My sister in law and her momma use 410 mossberg 500’s with 18 inch barrel and pistol grips. Actually one’s got a barrel that’s a rail and was once longer and cut down to around 19.5 inches. They paid around $275-350 each, one was used and one was new. Very manageable for her mom, whose 75 years old, and she’s a wicked shot with it eliminating all the squirrels in her neighborhood

 

[AKradr]

Is she absolutely positively dead set on a shotgun? Perhaps a pistol caliber carbine or rifle caliber pistol would be a better choice? Not trying to criticize her or your choice, just suggesting there are other options out there, that’s all.

 

[Plinker66]

after much research and second guessing I recently bought my daughter one of these little 20 gauge Mossbergs for graduation, in waterfowl. They are 5+1 and light as a feather... “500 youth super bantam.” with the stock spacer in it is large enough for most females.

For a first shotgun, I recommend a pump over a semi.

Teach with the lightest birdshot loads you can find. #3 Buckshot is the 20 gauge defense load but it kicks too much out of a lightweight 20 gauge for training.

 

[lostchild]

Mossberg 500 or Maverick 88. 12 gauge 18.5 inch barrel, Opsol mini-clip, and a tube full if 1 3/4 inch shells. I prefer the buckshot.

 

[teearr]

"I'm thinking a 20-gauge gas operated semi auto shotgun,
probably with a compact or "youth model" stock with about a 12.5 inch length of pull,"

^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^
Or even a 28 gauge. Either, set up with an 18.5 inch barrel and extended magazine. My choice would be an older Remington 1100 in good working condition - pretty doesn't matter. Probably not in her budget range particularly the 28 gauge, but all she would have to do would be point it and pull the trigger.

 

[GAgunLAWbooklet]

My pump action 20-gauge kicks uncomfortably hard for some women and even teenage boys that you would think are big and tough enough to handle the recoil.
This has been true even with a low-brass load of small bird shot-- not even a proper defensive round.

That's why I suggested a semi auto, and specifically gas operated
because they are supposed to have a softer recoil impulse .


If this lady wants to come up to Cumming or Alpharetta and meet me at a local range, I'll let her shoot my Mossberg 500 Bantam in 20 gauge and we can see how she deals with it.

 

[hamburglar3]

a Mossberg 500 in 410

 

[WildMan]

My pump action 20-gauge kicks uncomfortably hard for some women and even teenage boys that you would think are big and tough enough to handle the recoil.
This has been true even with a low-brass load of small bird shot-- not even a proper defensive round.

That's why I suggested a semi auto, and specifically gas operated
because they are supposed to have a softer recoil impulse .


If this lady wants to come up to Cumming or Alpharetta and meet me at a local range, I'll let her shoot my Mossberg 500 Bantam in 20 gauge and we can see how she deals with it.

Yes, I too saw the picture and am wide open if she would like to meet with me. For any reason.

 

[The Old Jaybird]

hell fire....she don't need to shoot....I will stand in front of her and take all incoming rounds!!!! Hubba Hubba

 

[NewLeaf]

All good questions.
She is in decent shape, not a fitness nut, but rides horses, so decently athletic.
She owns two handguns, and has shot, but by no means an expert.
Budget? $500ish.

Stoeger M3000 freedom. 7+1 semi auto. Eats anything I put thru, literally Benelli clone for $500 new. Best shotgun I ever owned.