Hey all. I recently got my hands on a Whinchester 1200 12 gauge, and am weighing my options to help lessen the recoil so my wife can enjoy it too. My dilemma is this that this gun has the 28" barrel and I am not sure that the ATI stock would look/function okay. This was my first choice (folding adjustable ATI) but was hoping for some feedback and possibly photos (long barrel tac set up)I am really stoked to have added this gun to my closet, and will primarily be using it for blastin, and maybe some fowl hunting down the road. Thanks
Recoil advice
- Thread starter Moxley
- Start date
crazyjackrabbit
CGN Regular
Id stay away from folding stocks as well. I had a blackhawk recoil reducing stock on my win 2200 and worked great. Sold it to my friend and he still has it set up the same. Shoot slugs and 3in mags no problem. Barely even notice the bird shot. Ati has something similar.
But would stay away from folding stocks
But would stay away from folding stocks
- Location
- YEG Alberta
Try some managed recoil (reduced recoil) ammo. I've tried the Remington managed recoil slugs and there is a huge difference between these and standard loads.
It's a renamed Winchester Model 1200/1300, so all the accessories that fit them will also fit the Model 2100/2200 shotguns.
To the OP, stay away from folders if you are looking for comfort. Also, most women need a shorter stock and a higher comb than men do in order to shoot comfortably so keep that in mind.
This worked well for me, after trying recoil reducing stock, scope, red dot etc.
Hey Moxley~it isn't an answer to your question...but I'd echo what someone said already~consider a 20ga. I bought an 870 Youth 20ga. for my daughter to hunt with, and it's the only shotgun my wife will shoot. I've tried here on my 20ga. Wingmaster (full-sized) and a couple of other 12s~no dice. Too much recoil, even with target loads. I think the 28" barrel makes most guns feel front-heavy to some shooters..the youth 20 has a 21" barrel and a stock with a shorter LOP.
But...if you're sticking with the 12, a good recoil pad and light loads is about as good as it's going to get. Proper stance, and giving the shooter some easy (=satisfying) targets to blast will also take the sting away a bit. It can lessen the recoil even further if you advise her to pull the buttstock into her shoulder with her right hand, and pull the shotgun forward with the other hand on the pump.
But...if you're sticking with the 12, a good recoil pad and light loads is about as good as it's going to get. Proper stance, and giving the shooter some easy (=satisfying) targets to blast will also take the sting away a bit. It can lessen the recoil even further if you advise her to pull the buttstock into her shoulder with her right hand, and pull the shotgun forward with the other hand on the pump.
Stock fit is crucial in reducing felt recoil and shooting effectively.
This is may be just my own personal experience but women are far more capable of handling recoil then a lot of people give them credit for. They are more honest when it comes to finding recoil uncomfortable then men, but in my experience if you find the recoil comfortable and easy to manage she probably will too. Don't tell them that it will kick too hard or hurt them, just say yes it has some recoil, make sure they have a good stance and proper gun mount and let them decide if its too much recoil.
This is may be just my own personal experience but women are far more capable of handling recoil then a lot of people give them credit for. They are more honest when it comes to finding recoil uncomfortable then men, but in my experience if you find the recoil comfortable and easy to manage she probably will too. Don't tell them that it will kick too hard or hurt them, just say yes it has some recoil, make sure they have a good stance and proper gun mount and let them decide if its too much recoil.
Is your wife tall and strong, or petite and femininely weak? Stock fit is very important, as others have pointed out, but overall size and weight of the gun may also be an issue. And your wife is the other factor. She may be very recoil sensitive but is able to hold a heavy gun. Or she doesn't care about recoil and doesn't have great upper body strength.
Softest recoiling gun will be a full-sized 20 gauge gas autoloader. But we don't know that you have to go that route yet.
Softest recoiling gun will be a full-sized 20 gauge gas autoloader. But we don't know that you have to go that route yet.
crazyjackrabbit
CGN Regular
OP already has the firearm, not looking for replacement 
- Location
- Halifax, NS
My lady is 115 pounds and shoots slugs out of the 12 gauge fine, she is tiny haha. I bought her a 20 gauge and the thing kicks harder than my 870, could be cause its a single shot though. Has she tried shooting it yet?
colonel3006
Regular
- Location
- Ayton,ontario
I made a recoil reducer one time from an old compound bow stabilizer and it worked wonders. I had to cut it a bit shorter then cut equal amounts off the springs and put them,the weight and fluid back in and solodered the end cap back on. I than put a small piece of foam in the bolt hole under the butt plate, slid the reducer in and put another piece of foam in to keep it tight and replaced the butt plate. It took at least half the recoil out of it.
