What are the best shotguns for small people?

Answer 1

I would go with anything that is semi automatic first off. these guns use most of the recoil for reloading the weapon automatically. Then comes the guage. if it is for a woman or small child i would get a 20 guage. for a child 12 or up i would get him a 12 guage because chances are he will be able to grow into it, and can easily handle the recoil of the 12 guage. You can also try a youth model which is just a shorter butt stock for those with smaller frames. Hope this was helpful, and have an awesome day.

Answer 2

Some companies out there make shotguns in which you can switch from youth stock to adult stock. 12 gauge or 20 gauge really doesn't matter. I bet I'll get thumbs down for what I'm about to say but its true. The 20 gauge kicks just as much as a 12 gauge. You are thinking, "No they don't its a smaller bullet and less powder." Well you are right but also take into consideration that 20 gauges are lighter than 12 gauges also. Recoil wise with similar loads they both are the same. If you are looking for something in which you are concerned with recoil I would start out with a .410. But if you are concerned with the gun stock not fitting you making you reach too far there are some older makes from New England Arms and Savage Arm in which they are break action models but the butt stocks are between 4" to 8" shorter for some reason. I take my nephew hunting with me and I let him use my break action because its a smaller model so he can get a good grip and fit. Hes small but he really doesn't care about the recoil. But if you let me know if its recoil or length you are concerned about make a notation to your question and I'll try to find a model that will fit you well.

Good luck.

Answer 3

you are going to get people telling you to use a 410 ...don't listen to that a 410 is a shotgun for an experienced shooter...the larger the guage the more shot you are sending at the target. I would go with nothing smaller than a 20 guage I would look for a semi auto (the recoil is absorbed in the action to eject the spent shell) they kick very little.

I have taught children to shoot through a program in our schools and all we use is 20s unless they bring their own gun.
The program draws about 60 kids each time we offer the shotgun portion. There are very few children that have issues with the 20 guage once they are taught the proper way to "lock in" the gun and lean into the shot.

My daughter has shot a 20 since she was 6 years old (we shoot on a family trap league).

Answer 4

We don't know if you're talking about a child or an adult that is small stature.

If it's a child, I would be looking at the adult single shot in a 20 ga.
Pumps are too dangerous for anyone under 15-16 years old because they don't have the mental capacity to remember to put the safety back on. Even adults getting into the sport leave the safety on --- but it's easier to teach them.
Semi-autos are even more dangerous.

Now if you're talking an adult, then yeah a semi-auto has less kick than a pump. I don't particularly see recoil as the reason to buy a semi-auto though.

As far as the stock is concerned, it depends on your style of shooting. I prefer a more instinctive style of shooting and rarely use the bead at all. My main use is for rabbits and I let the improved or open cylinder do my aiming for me because when rabbits disapear 20 yards away you don't have time to bring the gun into a optimal position let alone aim.
I'm 5'9" so I do use a regular stock. I do like the concept of youth stocks though. When hunting with a lot of clothes though, it's much easier to get the gun up to your shoulder without it hanging up on your coat.

Answer 5

Hinge action (sometimes called break barrel) 16 or 20 GA should do a good job in general. If it's just upland or small game then a nice lever action .410 could handle it. Personally I'm tall, a bit slender but strong for my size so I use a physically heavier 10 GA (Hinge) or long barrelled 12 GA (Bolt). I use physical friearm weight to help offset felt recoil. So try different firearms to find your shooting style.

Answer 6

Pumps and semi-autos put the weight out forward and they can't be properly balanced if your frame is small. They simply weren't designed for small people. Most folks simply say "cut the stock" or "use a youth stock", but that creates even more problems than it solves. It switches one bad aspect, the front heavy gun, for another, a too short pull. You simply can't make a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 fit a small person anywhere near what it should be to be used properly. Those guns simply aren't designed to allow it.

If you're honestly concerned with a small person's shotgun usage, buy him or her a break open single shot 20gauge to start off with. The chamber is approx 5-6" back closer to the shoulder than a pump or semi and the rearward weight is far easier to balance and shoulder properly. Chances are, once they get used to the gun and learn proper posture with that proper gun, they will easily shoot 12ga where they couldn't even hold the gun before.

Answer 7

One that's been stocked, or the stock modified, by a knowledgable smith to fit. There really are no action types or bore restrictions as long as it fits and balances well. That's easiest to accomplish in the classic English-style side-by-side double, with its straight stock and splinter forend, but any gun can be modified for those of small stature. Barrel length may be a consideration in choosing one that balances well, though.

Answer 8

shotguns small people

Answer 9

20 Gauge is the best choice.* It is more than capable of harvesting game.* It has low recoil.*

Answer 10

Something in the .410 ga, or 20 ga.