Suggestions for a Woman's HD Shotgun

[gunderwood]

Anyone have a 12ga Saiga?

Why yes, yes I do.

You should bring it to a shoot and great. I've always wanted a saiga 12ga, but never bought one because I haven't shot one. Also, I like the tactical slug loads which are low/managed recoil and they may or may not cycle the saiga. If you bring it, I'll bring some ammo.

[gunderwood]

Some great advice guys. One of the problems I have is encouraging her to shoot. I've got a 12 gauge pump tactical and its a decent shooter...great for HD. I loaded it with light target loads, she shot it once, almost dropped it and wouldnt touch it again...so Its got to be something I can work her up to a real HD load...

I have a .22/20gauge over under. Maybe I can start her with .22 and then work up to 20 ga target loads and the on from there...the other problem with the saiga is weight...she has trouble with my M-15 which weighs less...now the problem becomes recoil again...lighter gun heavier recoil...

My work is cut out for me...burning up some 12 gauge through a Saiga does sound fun though...

If you want something similar to the saiga, but possibly lighter look at the Benelli's...but that blows you budget out of the water. They do have that rebate going on until the end of the month. I think the Gander Mountain in Fredericksburg has a few different models.

[Jakeiscrazy]

You could cut down the LOP on a stock couldn't up?

[Diomed]

You should bring it to a shoot and great. I've always wanted a saiga 12ga, but never bought one because I haven't shot one. Also, I like the tactical slug loads which are low/managed recoil and they may or may not cycle the saiga. If you bring it, I'll bring some ammo.

Are there any when it's not hell on earth outside? I'll be testing it with the low recoil buckshot, I don't have many of the slugs stored up.

But seriously, the Tromix gun handles amazingly. I think any moderately capable person could wield it quite well. It's a shame it's so expensive because it would otherwise be the last word in HD guns - I'd have no problem giving my mom one in .410 and letting her roll with it with an hour or two of practice. I hope mine shoots as good as it handles.

[zephyp]

Some great advice guys. One of the problems I have is encouraging her to shoot. I've got a 12 gauge pump tactical and its a decent shooter...great for HD. I loaded it with light target loads, she shot it once, almost dropped it and wouldnt touch it again...so Its got to be something I can work her up to a real HD load...

I have a .22/20gauge over under. Maybe I can start her with .22 and then work up to 20 ga target loads and the on from there...the other problem with the saiga is weight...she has trouble with my M-15 which weighs less...now the problem becomes recoil again...lighter gun heavier recoil...

My work is cut out for me...burning up some 12 gauge through a Saiga does sound fun though...

If you want something similar to the saiga, but possibly lighter look at the Benelli's...but that blows you budget out of the water. They do have that rebate going on until the end of the month. I think the Gander Mountain in Fredericksburg has a few different models.

I looked at Benelli tacticals and they are all12s. I'm stuck on the 20 for her. Its hard enough to get her to shoot anything bigger than a 9mm and she wont touch any of my long guns...most are too heavy...I'm starting to think along the lines of a bantam auto in 20 that I can make of mods to...

[gunderwood]

You should bring it to a shoot and great. I've always wanted a saiga 12ga, but never bought one because I haven't shot one. Also, I like the tactical slug loads which are low/managed recoil and they may or may not cycle the saiga. If you bring it, I'll bring some ammo.

Are there any when it's not hell on earth outside? I'll be testing it with the low recoil buckshot, I don't have many of the slugs stored up.

But seriously, the Tromix gun handles amazingly. I think any moderately capable person could wield it quite well. It's a shame it's so expensive because it would otherwise be the last word in HD guns - I'd have no problem giving my mom one in .410 and letting her roll with it with an hour or two of practice. I hope mine shoots as good as it handles.

Small thing about having to register a short barrelled shotgun too or is that not the one you posted a pick of? The Tromix looks interesting, but they charge a lot for them compared to the usual Saiga's. They list what mods they do, but don't really say way they do them. Thoughts?

[Diomed]

Small thing about having to register a short barrelled shotgun too or is that not the one you posted a pick of?

Sure, that's part of the cost I mentioned earlier. But shorter barrels do make for handier guns - good for HD whether you're a woman or a man.

The Tromix looks interesting, but they charge a lot for them compared to the usual Saiga's. They list what mods they do, but don't really say way they do them. Thoughts?

It's not just the options, it's the tuning. They get de-bugged. The guns come from Izhmash with problems. The better custom shops get them to where they're supposed to be.

I'd be nervous using a Saiga out of the box as a defensive weapon.

[gunderwood]

Small thing about having to register a short barrelled shotgun too or is that not the one you posted a pick of?

Sure, that's part of the cost I mentioned earlier. But shorter barrels do make for handier guns - good for HD whether you're a woman or a man.

The Tromix looks interesting, but they charge a lot for them compared to the usual Saiga's. They list what mods they do, but don't really say way they do them. Thoughts?

It's not just the options, it's the tuning. They get de-bugged. The guns come from Izhmash with problems. The better custom shops get them to where they're supposed to be.

I'd be nervous using a Saiga out of the box as a defensive weapon.

Seems to me that they should just take their modified design and make the gun all new from the ground up.

[Diomed]

Seems to me that they should just take their modified design and make the gun all new from the ground up.

If you think the tuned up Saiga is expensive...

[zephyp]

For the most part the only weapons I have a problem trusting for SD are the ones I havent had the chance to put through paces on the range and love on...I've found that many quirks (bugs perhaps) can be skirted if you know what to do...I'd venture to say that virtually all weapons have some inherent "bug." We merely skirt them, sometimes without thought, and state they perform flawlessly...

[gunderwood]

For the most part the only weapons I have a problem trusting for SD are the ones I havent had the chance to put through paces on the range and love on...I've found that many quirks (bugs perhaps) can be skirted if you know what to do...I'd venture to say that virtually all weapons have some inherent "bug." We merely skirt them, sometimes without thought, and state they perform flawlessly...

True. Glocks will jamb if you don't know how to shoot a pistol.

[jrswanson1]

If you're still looking, why not get a KelTec Sub2000 in 9mm? You can get one that takes pistol mags, it's light, low recoil, and you can stick a laser on it if you need a point and click interface.

Jim

[CowboyT]

Training can just about overcome any reasonable recoil issues. IMHO, shoulder soreness is irrelevant. You are fighting for you life, a sore shoulder is a small price to pay. You have to take it in order to give.

That's true, when you're actually fighting for your life. At that moment, I won't care. However, shoulders in pain are not conducive to regular practice, which is essential to properly controlling a firearm.

Ability to control the firearm is far more important.

And that's why regular practice is so important. That's the point. If Young's shoulder is in pain, she won't do that, and we want her to. If a 12-gauge puts me in pain after 10-15 rounds, I can only imagine what it'd do to Young. A 20-gauge is more appropriate.

[gunderwood]

Training can just about overcome any reasonable recoil issues. IMHO, shoulder soreness is irrelevant. You are fighting for you life, a sore shoulder is a small price to pay. You have to take it in order to give.

That's true, when you're actually fighting for your life. At that moment, I won't care. However, shoulders in pain are not conducive to regular practice, which is essential to properly controlling a firearm.

Ability to control the firearm is far more important.

And that's why regular practice is so important. That's the point. If Young's shoulder is in pain, she won't do that, and we want her to. If a 12-gauge puts me in pain after 10-15 rounds, I can only imagine what it'd do to Young. A 20-gauge is more appropriate.

That is what light loads are for. You don't compromise on the effectiveness of your HD firearm, but you can practice, learn, gain muscle memory, etc. with loads that don't cause a problem.

[zephyp]

Well, part of the issue is she doesnt have alot of motivation to practice...maybe I could play dress up as a burglar and help that out... course then she might grab that pea shooter .25 she likes and that would hurt...

[Diomed]

course then she might grab that pea shooter .25 she likes and that would hurt...

You probably wouldn't even notice. Unless she shot your eye out.

[zephyp]

She's actually a pretty good shot and I trust a well placed .25 to do some damage...

[theroys88]

As a family HD shotgun, we have the Remington 870 with the short barrel. I am 5" 7'' tall and I can handle this weapon. We do take it to the range and practice with it to stay familiar with loading, etc.
Good luck,
Dawn