SA20 tactical - for the wife - has anyone here shot one?

[wtr100]

Wife announced she would like something more strongerer to deal with evile doores.

Background - she's a casual shooter.  Been to Appleseeds and Women in the Outdoors.  She really enjoys shooting the AR15 - so much I had to invest in a .22 adaptor or get a second job to buy 5.56 ammo.    The sight picture and grips and such really work for her.

We've pressed into service #2 son's Mossberg 500 in 20 GA.  It's got 24" smooth bore, rifle sights and Limbsaver recoil pad.  She does ok with it using stout turkey loads.

She must have been quite bored but found this on one of my gun rags



Seems like it might be a decent solution.  I've seen the bantam model at the local fun store - quality seemed typical mossberg (I know only imported by them) good enough but not great.

Anyway has anyone used on of these rascals?  Might even make a decent deer gun for me when I get old and frail

[Big Frank]

I think you're better off with a 12 gauge and reduced recoil shells.

[wtr100]

I think you're better off with a 12 gauge and reduced recoil shells.

we've tried that  - it was too much - I know SHTF she'd never notice the recoil but it's a confidence thing

[Big Frank]

20 gauge it is then. My first 20 gauge was a single-shot and kicked harder than my 12 gauge semi-auto, so the recoil of a 20 gauge semi-auto should be nice and soft. You just won't have the same range of ammo as with a 12 gauge.

[Solus]

I'd try to find one locally to see how it fits.  Length of pull might be an issue. 

[Sponsor]

[wtr100]

20 gauge it is then. My first 20 gauge was a single-shot and kicked harder than my 12 gauge semi-auto, so the recoil of a 20 gauge semi-auto should be nice and soft. You just won't have the same range of ammo as with a 12 gauge.

hear what you're saying about the 20 - I hate to see little guys show up at the fall pheasnt / trap shoot with those tiny little Rossi 20 ga.  


She's doing ok with a 20 ga pump - limb saver recoil pad is pretty sweet - but saw this one she's interested in.  Actually an intersting dynamic here.  She see's something that looks like an AR and thinks 'good'.  Like MB says gun culture 2.0 i guess

As for ammo we've got some 1 oz #2 lead duck loads (old) that ought to take the steam out of all but the most determined evile dooer.  I reload 20 ga so pretty much any load could be brewed up.

[wtr100]

I'd try to find one locally to see how it fits.  Length of pull might be an issue. 

ain't that always the rub ...

[tombogan03884]

If I remember correctly Fightingquaker bought a Maverick pump. He said he was pleased with it, it wasn't a Mossberg or a Remington, but it was inexpensive and it worked.

[Ping]

Mavericks are Mossberg under another name. Decent shotguns but I will stick with my Remingtons.

[Big Mickey]

My Last Wife's house gun is a Mossberg 20 ga. with an 18" bbl. using #4 Buck.  Initially we had a little difficulty as it kicked her but not me; after a little fooling around with the stock (shortening a little for her stature) she does well but now it kicks the snot out of me.  Essentially, proper fitting is essential for comfortable use of any shotgun. 

She adapted very well to it as she was learning (not taught by me) and is particularly fond of the #4 loads as opposed to 00 (which is very hard to find in 20 ga.) since it makes hamburger out of bad persons but doesn't penetrate drywall too much.  Back in the 60's a bunch of the alphabet agencies and departments did some kind of study and found #4 Buck to be very effective against people and we used a lot of it in Viet Nam.  It works pretty good on deer, too, but tears up the meat unless you hit the ribs right over the heart. 

There may be other rigs that are more utile for some folks than for others, but this one suits her right good.  YMMV.