20 ga short stock auto

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:07 pm

The wife had such a good time tagging along on a recent grouse hunt, she wants "in". She's vertically challenged, and has a short LOP. I was looking at youth/short stock autos today, and really liked the Benelli. I'd also like to check out the Franchi 720 short stock, but need to find one first!

It's got to be an auto, as she needs as much recoil reduction as possible.

So here's the requirements: 20ga auto, screw in choke, LOP 12.5" or less, weight needs to be 6lbs or less. 3" chamber optional.

Anybody have one, or at least have a suggestion?

CZShooter · Post by **CZShooter** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:18 pm

I just delivered (6 weeks ago) a Tristar Viper gas-operated youth gun to a friend whose 9-year old is just started in shooting. 5.3 lbs. He and his son love the gun and it does everything you want. Let me know if you are interested. Cost would be substantially less than the Benelli or the Franchi, even though those are fine guns. Just thinking you might want to take it a little at a time before diving in with more $$.

Berretta also makes a youth model 391 that is a fine gun.

If I can help, I would be happy to.

http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/semi_automatics.html

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:10 pm

CZShooter wrote:I just delivered (6 weeks ago) a Tristar Viper gas-operated youth gun to a friend whose 9-year old is just started in shooting. 5.3 lbs. He and his son love the gun and it does everything you want. Let me know if you are interested. Cost would be substantially less than the Benelli or the Franchi, even though those are fine guns. Just thinking you might want to take it a little at a time before diving in with more $$.

Berretta also makes a youth model 391 that is a fine gun.

If I can help, I would be happy to.

http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/semi_automatics.html

I like the features of the TSA Field youth/women's model. It seems to have a lot more features to offer than the viper, looks a little nicer, and for only $40 more.

I did look at a viper today. I must say that it was not very impressive as far as fit and finish is concerned. My wife may have "youth" dimensional requirements with regards to firearms, but she is an adult and I'd like to get her a gun with fit and finish that she'll have some pride in.

CZShooter · Post by **CZShooter** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:27 pm

Fair enough. Benelli, Berretta and Franchi are all good choices. You can also find the Remington 1100 LT-20 if she likes those.

The youth market has grown a fair amount in recent years. Lots of good choices.

Pryor Creek Okie · Post by **Pryor Creek Okie** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 10:02 pm

I bought a Browning BPS Micro for my son a couple of years ago. I know that it's not exactly what you are looking for, but it's an awesome little shotgun for the price. 20 guage, 3" chamber, 22" barrel, 13.25" LOP, 6 lbs 14 oz, MSRP $519.00. They make a semi-auto version too, but it's longer and costs twice as much.

highcotton · Post by **highcotton** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 10:29 pm

I got my son a Remington 1100 LW to get him started. I removed the stock and replaced it with a used one I picked up for $35 and cut it to fit him. Each year we added the right combination of spacers to let the gun grow with him. When he reached 15 I put the new original stock back on the gun. Little did I know, we then started going the other direction and adding spacers to the original stock. He finally quit at 6'-6".

Mntngoat · Post by **Mntngoat** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:29 am

I'm taking delivery tomorrow, of a Franchi 720 for my short stature wife. It has a 24" barrel and short 12.5 LOP stock. If your not familiar with this model is it a semi auto gas gun, which should soften recoil as well.

Michael

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:03 pm

Mntngoat wrote:I'm taking delivery tomorrow, of a Franchi 720 for my short stature wife. It has a 24" barrel and short 12.5 LOP stock. If your not familiar with this model is it a semi auto gas gun, which should soften recoil as well.

Michael

Please post your feedback when she (or you) gets to shoot it - I really like the look of the Franchi.

gar-dog · Post by **gar-dog** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:15 pm

What part of NJ are you in? If you get into Manhattan, there is a Beretta Gallery on the East Side. Last time I was there they had their youth models as well as some Franchis.

Also check for the Remington LT-20.
G

Mntngoat · Post by **Mntngoat** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:05 pm

NJ GSP wrote:
Mntngoat wrote:I'm taking delivery tomorrow, of a Franchi 720 for my short stature wife. It has a 24" barrel and short 12.5 LOP stock. If your not familiar with this model is it a semi auto gas gun, which should soften recoil as well.

Michael
Please post your feedback when she (or you) gets to shoot it - I really like the look of the Franchi.

She has no got a chance to shoot it yet but I did......

I like it. If I didn't already have 2- 20 gauge guns I'd get one for myself.

Very soft shooting.

Michael

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:53 pm

On my last trip up to Maine, I bought a Franchi 720 short stock in NH. I did shoot it before she did too, and I thought it had some push to it, probably because it weighs in at 5 pounds.

My wife got to shoot it when I got back, and believe it or not, I've got to take another inch off the stock! There'll be practically nothing left but the grip & a recoil pad!

Birdhunter1 · Post by **Birdhunter1** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:43 pm

Beretta makes the 391 in a womens model, it fits my wife perfect at 5'9".
If you are looking for light recoil a gas operated gun will win that card hands down. I don't notice the difference between my Beretta 391 and dad's Benelli Legacy (both in 20 gauge) but my mother said she can (5'4" 140 lbs +/-) and she says mine shoots softer. Of course she also shot my dad's Remington 1100 Lt-20 and said it was even softer than my Beretta.

nj gsp · Post by **nj gsp** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:07 pm

After I was showing my wife how the gun functions and got her to shoot through a box of shells, just for fun I thought I'd try out a little exhibition style shooting with it. I'm not Tom Knapp by a long shot, but I picked up three clay birds, threw them up by hand and dusted all three before they hit the dirt.

My wife said "Do that again". And I said "Nope."