I'm looking into shotguns for my sister for Christmas. She's about 5'2'', average build, 20 yrs old.

I'm hoping to find something that fits her well and was thinking about a Mossberg 500 youth model. Thoughts? Other recommendations?

My buddy warned me that youth shotguns are more difficult to shoot because of recoil. I'm skeptical. Thoughts? I have never used a "youth" gun, but love shooting my Winchester 94 which is quite short.

This will be her first shotgun. She wants to learn to shoot and go hunting with me which means dove and ducks.

Reasons I'm not taking her to the store: 1) I've found a good deal online. 2) I want to surprise her.

Questions:
- Best shotgun for shorter female?
- Should I go with a youth model? Is recoil a factor here?


Thanks!

Yes you should go with a shorter stock for somebody of that size (My wife is similar sized). It will be easier for them hold, and the weight will be closer to their body, which will make the gun easier for them to point.

That being said, I believe EyeGuy is running a special right now on Browning Bps youth model shotguns. That is a great gun and he is offering a great price. It is a significant step up in quality from a Mossberg, so I would go that direction.

A youth pump shotgun is going to have substantial recoil. The gas operated semi auto's don't kick hard. They are much more expensive though.

Here you go.

http://shooterspagetxforums.yuku.com/topic/15401/Beretta-AL-391-12-ga-Fit-for-a-lady#.Vkn54ctdHcs

I got a Winchester Ranger Youth 20 gauge when I was about 12 years old and never had a problem with recoil.

Youth model pumps kick like a mule. Especially to inexperienced women shooters who rarely hold the shotgun tight to their shoulder. When I was 12 years old I thought the bruise on my shoulder was cool. Most women I've found don't feel the same. Depending on your budget, look for something semi-auto.

We bought my wife a Bennelli montefeltro 20 ga semi. She is taller but my son can shoot it. He is 9 yrs old. He needs to grow a little. I found it at gander mountain for $999. Great gun and lots of fun to shoot. I was worried about weight and recoil but not worried now. She shot her first sporting clays event one week ago. She shot 43 out of 100. the gun feels great. Not sure of your budget but I would take a look.

CZ 720 ALS. It's a semi 20ga that can be configured to different sizes. It's my go to ladies and youth 20ga. Great little gun and doesn't cost an arm and a leg either.

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I'm looking into shotguns for my sister for Christmas. She's about 5'2'', average build, 20 yrs old.

I'm hoping to find something that fits her well and was thinking about a Mossberg 500 youth model. Thoughts? Other recommendations?

My buddy warned me that youth shotguns are more difficult to shoot because of recoil. I'm skeptical. Thoughts? I have never used a "youth" gun, but love shooting my Winchester 94 which is quite short.

This will be her first shotgun. She wants to learn to shoot and go hunting with me which means dove and ducks.

Reasons I'm not taking her to the store: 1) I've found a good deal online. 2) I want to surprise her.

Questions:
- Best shotgun for shorter female?
- Should I go with a youth model? Is recoil a factor here?


Thanks!

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Youth shotguns don't really have much more recoil unless you're just talking about the weight difference between the two. I would not do a pump, however. Get a gas operated semi and she'll love it.

1100LT 20

Budget Pick: Weatherby SA-08 20ga youth
Nicer Pick: Browning Silver Hunter Micro Midas 20ga

Dbafido's recommendations are solid. If you really want it to fit make sure you buy a gas gun that can be shimmed as most ladies have longer necks and need more drop at heel than the standard stick offers. Also have a good gunsmith cut the pitch to fit her. Doesn't cost much at all.

Look at a Beretta A400 Excel sport in 20ga.
I haven't shot the exact model that Eyeguy mentioned but I have shot the 12ga CZ712 and they are solid guns.

Also, youth models don't kick more because they are short they kick more because they weight less.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/compact/shotguns/model-11-87/model-11-87-sportsman-compact-synthetic.aspx

Have two of these at the ranch for the women and kids to shoot. Great shotguns!

Sorry for the late reply.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. I like the CZ gun since it's got the adjustable stock, could fit others in the family too.

As far as budget, I'm willing to spend what I need to so it's not a piece of junk, but I don't need anything extravagant.

I'll let everyone know what I end up with!

For 100 more dollars on the benelli montefeltro more you could get it to come with a compact stock and regular stock. That way you can change it out depending on the shooter. I am thinking of going this route for the wife, so I can shoot it as well

Bought a 391 12ga off Gunbroker for my 9 yo son. Found a guy with a 28" barrel and youth stock and traded him straight up for the ones it came with.
He just started clay shooting with 4H. The club hooked me up with low recoil ammo and he can shoot 100-150 rounds in a day with no discomfort or bruising.
Total package set me back about $1100 , but I got lucky on the swap.

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CZ 720 ALS. It's a semi 20ga that can be configured to different sizes. It's my go to ladies and youth 20ga. Great little gun and doesn't cost an arm and a leg either.

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Been meaning to get back on this topic.

Gave her the gun for Christmas, went with the CZ 720 ALS. She really liked it and shot very well.

But the gun jams more than I would like, maybe every 10th round. I oiled it lightly with rem oil before taking it out. It seemed worse with estate ammo vs remington. When it jams: spent shell is ejected, and action cycles, but doesn't load the next shell. The next shell does come out of the tube.

Wondering if this is fixable or if I should just have lower expectations for an automatic shotgun in the $500 price range.

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CZ 720 ALS. It's a semi 20ga that can be configured to different sizes. It's my go to ladies and youth 20ga. Great little gun and doesn't cost an arm and a leg either.

---

Been meaning to get back on this topic.

Gave her the gun for Christmas, went with the CZ 720 ALS. She really liked it and shot very well.

But the gun jams more than I would like, maybe every 10th round. I oiled it lightly with rem oil before taking it out. It seemed worse with estate ammo vs remington. When it jams: spent shell is ejected, and action cycles, but doesn't load the next shell. The next shell does come out of the tube.

Wondering if this is fixable or if I should just have lower expectations for an automatic shotgun in the $500 price range.

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Even a cheap gun should do better than 1 out of 10. I'd put a box of AAs or Remington Premium through it to confirm it's the gun and not the ammo. If you verify it's the gun, I'd get it looked at.