Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Running a pump shotgun with buckshot was not a fun experience for me. If your girlfriend is shorter than 5'5" she's going to have problems with that shotgun, as the length of pull will be too long for her. I don't know if they make collapsible stocks for Benellis, I do know they make them for Remington 870s, which is why I usually recommend them.

Jim

Hell, Jim, I'm not much taller than that. She's shot an 8mm Mauser before, so I am not *too* worried, but we'll see in a couple of weeks.

Got to shoot the Nova week before last at SEG. Can only fire slugs there, so no report on buck shot - will have to head to BRA for that or wait for my next trip into WV.

In any case, recoil was stiff with the light shotgun, but not overly so. The throw of the pump is a bit longer than the 870 or 500. Was a hoot.

Mindflayer wrote:
OTOH, a revolver is easier to load than the SAs, and easy to maneuver. Hmmm...

Thoughts?

Yes, and no. If you have reload magazines as you should, reloading an auto should be much faster than a revolver, and run for more trigger squeezes to boot.

On the topic of less experienced or smaller statured shooters being steered toward revolvers: I dissent. A no frills, polymer pistol basically 1) has one control to make it work, 2) has some "give" in the frame to absorb recoil, and 3) has a lower bore axis to reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. IMHO, I'd make sure that the operator can reciprocate the slide with the "push/pull" method and go that direction.

davasmith wrote:Get a .38 spl revolver in the lightweight configuration. She'll be able to handle the recoil and it'll pack enough of a punch to put down a purp. No matter how you go, she needs to shoot it as much as possible when no situations warrant it. Muscle memory will help her and you, if the need ever did arise.

Agree completely - a S&W model 67 K-frame with a 4" barrel is a perfect ladie's gun and concealed-carry defensive tool. More than adequate at close range. Suggest the use of the Crimson Trace Lasergrip with that. XS Sights makes a tritium nightsight that will fit on the front, though it changes the sight picture from standard revolver to "combat". Very nice gently used guns are available in the four to five hundred dollar range.

Update - I ended up with a .357 Ruger GP100 as well. She loves it. Now she's got her eye on a Rossi (Taurus) Circuit Judge.

Mindflayer wrote:Update - I ended up with a .357 Ruger GP100 as well. She loves it. Now she's got her eye on a Rossi (Taurus) Circuit Judge.

Good choice! Good for HD as well as plinking. I've even CC'd mine a few times, but you do have to plan your attire around the gun.

I'm not a big pump fan, and I prefer semi auto's, but I know guys that love pumps. So it's really a personal preference.