GF needs a grouse gun

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LeducAb

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This is out of my league and I'm wondering if I can get some guidance.

She wants a 26" -ish overall length shotgun that weighs about 5lbs. 20 gauge would be perfect. Only used for grouse at close range. 410 is too light of a load in my opinion but maybe I'm wrong.

She's small. 5'2" and really small framed. She feels swinging a 40" long gun is too awkward that why she likes the small length.

It's going to be a gift for her so I don't want to break the bank.

Can't weigh over 5lbs. Very important

Help!

Thanks for looking

Jeff
 
I'm curious where this will end up. I don't think you'll find a short and light AND cheap 20 gauge. Maybe one of those single shot that Corwin Arms sells would work, but recoil really picks up with light guns.
 
If she is not a wingshooter find her an H&R Tamer in 20 gauge. I she is a wingshooter then maybe a BPS Micro Midas 20 gauge... or chop down a used Rem 1100 20 gauge, which is what I did for my wife.
 
LeducAb said:
This is out of my league and I'm wondering if I can get some guidance.

She wants a 26" -ish overall length shotgun that weighs about 5lbs. 20 gauge would be perfect. Only used for grouse at close range. 410 is too light of a load in my opinion but maybe I'm wrong.

She's small. 5'2" and really small framed. She feels swinging a 40" long gun is too awkward that why she likes the small length.

It's going to be a gift for her so I don't want to break the bank.

Can't weigh over 5lbs. Very important

Help!

Thanks for looking

Jeff
Click to expand...

That's a lot of requirements not easy to meet, even in a .410(20 is much better, IMO). Best off Googling all the major gun companies who make shotguns and see if you can find one that suits her.
 
Thanks so far. I've been on google for over two hours ☹️

I'd be up to buying a 510,500 or 870 and doing a barrel swap.

Maybe if someone knows a good place to buy a barrel that would match up well with the length needed to just go past the forearm on one of those models I listed?
 
I bought my wife a youth Mossberg 510 bantam.. If I remember correctly. It's only an 18.5" barrel but very light, easy handling and she took the closer ones.. I took the further ones with the 12g.
It's the only long gun she enjoys shooting.
 
I have a old Ithaca XL900 6ish lbs Pretty close weight wise but length is going to be your biggest issue. Perhaps consider looking for a youth version in a new gun, at 5'2" she is tiny and the shorter length of pull stock might fit better and solve most of difficulty she is having swinging a full size gun. A month or so ago there was 870 on the EE with a shortened stock for a fair price. Post up a WTB for a youth gun or one with a shortened length of pull. You might get several hits. Recoil becomes a factor with light guns even in 20 gauge. I grew up shooting a Recoil 900 and even with light trap loads after 4 rounds your shoulder and cheek knew. I was a kind of scrawny kid and am not a big man now by any means 5'9" 165LBS A gas operated gun is a lot softer to shoot. I like it but the recoil gun was lighter. http://www.cabelas.ca/product/21734/mossberg-510-mini-super-bantam-field-pump-shotgun They have several others but the above checked off all the boxes.
 
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My better half has one of those youth version Mossberg Maverick 88 (pretty much same difference as a bantam, longer barrel I think) in 20 gauge, but even it is about 40" long, and 5 lb 10 oz
 
I know her well enough that she won't view a single shot as an option.

I'm leaning towards a pump in either a 20 or a 410.

For those that know is a 410 viable for 20 yard grouse shots?
 
LeducAb said:
I know her well enough that she won't view a single shot as an option.

I'm leaning towards a pump in either a 20 or a 410.

For those that know is a 410 viable for 20 yard grouse shots?
Click to expand...

For ground swatting grouse at 20 yards, a 410 with full choke will work fine. Shoot high, use #7-1/2 shot, and you shouldn't have many pellets in the breast.
 
I have an old sacage .22lr/.410 over under for grouse. They make new ones that are smaller. This is just about the perfect grouse gun where im at because most shots are ground shots in thick bush. Ive used .410 on a lot of grouse. Many past 20 yards but i agree it's kind of pushing it when you reach out there. The problem isnt the killing power but the spread and likelyhood of getting pellets where you want them. I prefer using the .22 anyway. I know you said she would prefer a repeater but the nature of that gun being kind of weird and different might make her like it. A small double barrel would be a good optoon for keeping weight down too. You can get a longer barrel with a shorter over all length and less weight than a pump or semi auto because it doesnt have the feeding mechanism. You also have the added advantage over a pump of a faster follow up shot. The only downside is some of the cheap doubles can be really spotty quality wise compared to a pump of equal price.
 
I have a Utas, a Hatsan Escort MPA and a JW2000 double barrel shorty.

They range from 6.6 to 7.5lbs and she says they are too heavy.

I think a double barrel 410 or over and under might be something she could live with.

Thanks again!
 
I bought my wife and browning silver micro midas with the pink camo in 20 gauge this past year. It was a demo model, so very lightly used but the price was right, cost me under 800 all in for a gun that retails for 1400 ish.
Learned my lesson a few years ago about sheap shotguns, everything is a browning outside of the one ithaca.
 
Yes a 410 will kill grouse quite well at 20 yards. If you are going that route though maybe look into a 28 gauge. Ammo will be about the same price as 410 and will be every bit as effective as a 20ga. 5 pounds is going to be tough to attain in anything but a single shot though except one of those 410 sxs that fold in half. Can't recall the make?
 
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