Gun for the Mrs ?

Get a brew it’s a long one

Let me set the scene. Mrs has been shooting my old Lanber for maybe 3 years or so. Doesn’t fit too badly but is all a little long and as good of a gun as they are for what they are, it isn’t the most friendly in relation to recoil. It kicks like a mule ! Iv shot a few and they all are a bit heavy handed in that relation.

So she needs a gun. What a great time to buy something for her that I really want me thinks. So we bought a Nikko Indy (I have always wanted one) and what do you know it was basically perfect and she shot it like a dream. Unfortunately there was an issue with the gun and it had to go back.

So fine ladies and gentlemen of the internet what would be a good idea of where to look ? And what to looks for ?
Multi choke would be nice but our local ground is quite tame and she can do wonderful things with Skeet to be honest.
Adjustable comb although this is looking to be a bit of an ask.
Stock length seems to be around the 14-14 1/4 area seems to suit. Although the size of grip and or palm swell is also a factor.
Trouble I’m finding at the minute is the local shops to us are full to the brim with worn out Berettas Browning and Mirokus that have been given to the shops by people who arnt renewing their tickets. And if it isn’t a worn out gun from “the 3”. It’s a Turkish gun and I know they are value for money etc but they really don’t float either of our boats at all.

Apologies for length of post again but wanted to be as detailed as possible.

Thanks in advance for your help

Cheers

How much do you want to spend is the obvious first question?

Personally, I'd go for a K80 Parcours with a bespoke stock (in fact, I did). However, if I didn't want to spend Kreighoff money and was starting out on my clay shooting journey I'd probably at this quite closely https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotg...gauge/silver-pigeon-vittoria-2403221020321147

The money thing is a very good question.

If you are trying to do this for £600 you will struggle because very few older guns can be made to fit a lady shooter - getting an adjustable stock will be £200 on top (you will probably need one) and there's always the issue of cast & pitch for women shooters though I'm not saying I understand the fitting side enough yet. Factor in another £90 for a kickezz etc.

I would also think about balance - a shorter stock results in short barrels so you may be at 28 inches though some stocks can tend to be heavy whatever. Write down what you both liked about the Nikko for reference (see below).

I have bought two coaching guns this year - RH ones as I am a lefty. I was surprised how an extra £300-£500 made a significant difference in
what you got on the second hand Browning/Beretta option though again I have, on both had adjustable combs and kick-ezz pads fitted. A gun Ok for HP steel will cost more but keep it's value long term.

Finally - and most importantly - it's not your gun, it's hers.

Endorse what Freddypip said, apart from the barrel length point. I'm a shortarse with a stock not much over 13 inches and my gun has 30 inch barrels without it causing any problems. As long as you can adjust to avoid it being front heavy then you should be fine with longer barrels. I very nearly went for 32s when I got my current gun, but found when testing when tired after shooting a couple of hundred targets that it was just a little harder to get moving. Fine when I was fresh though.

Zoli, Beretta (Vittoria), Guerini (Syren) and other brands offer a kind of "Ladies guns".

Bebo said:

How much do you want to spend is the obvious first question?

Personally, I'd go for a K80 Parcours with a bespoke stock (in fact, I did). However, if I didn't want to spend Kreighoff money and was starting out on my clay shooting journey I'd probably at this quite closely https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotg...gauge/silver-pigeon-vittoria-2403221020321147

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The ££ thing is a very obvious question and somehow I managed to omit it from my lengthy paragraph. I would be looking at around the £1k mark. There’s only 1 K80 in this house and it’s mine

Freddypip said:

The money thing is a very good question.

If you are trying to do this for £600 you will struggle because very few older guns can be made to fit a lady shooter - getting an adjustable stock will be £200 on top (you will probably need one) and there's always the issue of cast & pitch for women shooters though I'm not saying I understand the fitting side enough yet. Factor in another £90 for a kickezz etc.

I would also think about balance - a shorter stock results in short barrels so you may be at 28 inches though some stocks can tend to be heavy whatever. Write down what you both liked about the Nikko for reference (see below).

I have bought two coaching guns this year - RH ones as I am a lefty. I was surprised how an extra £300-£500 made a significant difference in
what you got on the second hand Browning/Beretta option though again I have, on both had adjustable combs and kick-ezz pads fitted. A gun Ok for HP steel will cost more but keep it's value long term.

Finally - and most importantly - it's not your gun, it's hers.

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Balance is as you say massively important I think that’s the reason the Nikko seemed to suit her so well it’s was a shorter stock but the barrels where short and light which meant that the weight was more central between her hands so it get more manageable. And yes this one is definitely going to be her gun. As I said the Nikko I bought because I always wanted one. It wasn’t a gun to be shot every weekend it was going to be 94% of the time in the cabinet. Although she shot it when we picked it up and loved it. She has been shooting the Lanber for a good time now. But said she didn’t realise how effortless a gun could be to shoot till she picked the Nikko. Unfortunately issues with the trigger meant it was a short love affair and now she needs a gun that is hers 100% and doesn’t just happen to be comfortable

Bebo said:

Endorse what Freddypip said, apart from the barrel length point. I'm a shortarse with a stock not much over 13 inches and my gun has 30 inch barrels without it causing any problems. As long as you can adjust to avoid it being front heavy then you should be fine with longer barrels. I very nearly went for 32s when I got my current gun, but found when testing when tired after shooting a couple of hundred targets that it was just a little harder to get moving. Fine when I was fresh though.

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Yes we have found the same for a couple of stands it’s manageable but after a long day or a couple of no birds it gets a little tiring for her with a heavier gun

If you want minimal mucking about, go for one of the ladies guns Bavarian mentioned. I've got a Beretta semi-auto with a Vitoria stock and the only alteration I had done was an adjustable comb as I like to see a lot of rib when I shoot. They are good for length and pitch. I personally wouldn't go for the CG Syren because the engraving looks like a prison tattoo, it's vile. Pretty sure that Blaser were introducing a 'ladies' stock as well, if I didn't already have my forever gun then I think that's what I would be looking at.

Cannot go wrong with a Miruko for that money. Had a MK38 trap for years, it was fixed and had it choked and had no problems with it whatsoever. Did have it shortened and a very good gunsmith actually cut the top of the stock off and inserted another piece of wood to make it a montecarlo stock and by the time he had finished polishing etc you wouldn’t have known. Didn’t cost too much to get it all done.

After lockdown finished I brought a K80 Parcours which I love and would never get rid of, hubby has the supersporter.

Whatever she gets, gun fit is the main thing for us ladies, most ladies I know have to have a higher stock and get it balanced once youve chopped bits off! So go with someone who knows what they’re talking about!

I did look at the ladies CG years ago and it was so low in the stock I actually wondered who would ever shoot it. Let’s face it, we are all so different in shapes and sizes, whatever she ends up with you will probably have to have something done with it. Would also have it choked. Good luck

donna said:

Cannot go wrong with a Miruko for that money. Had a MK38 trap for years, it was fixed and had it choked and had no problems with it whatsoever. Did have it shortened and a very good gunsmith actually cut the top of the stock off and inserted another piece of wood to make it a montecarlo stock and by the time he had finished polishing etc you wouldn’t have known. Didn’t cost too much to get it all done.

After lockdown finished I brought a K80 Parcours which I love and would never get rid of, hubby has the supersporter.

Whatever she gets, gun fit is the main thing for us ladies, most ladies I know have to have a higher stock and get it balanced once youve chopped bits off! So go with someone who knows what they’re talking about!

I did look at the ladies CG years ago and it was so low in the stock I actually wondered who would ever shoot it. Let’s face it, we are all so different in shapes and sizes, whatever she ends up with you will probably have to have something done with it. Would also have it choked. Good luck

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Yes from the little research I have done it does appear to be shorter and higher in the comb is the way to go. As I mentioned she’s only really said about how bad the gun she’s been shooting for years shoots now she has shot something else as whenever she has shot anything of mine or anyone else’s it’s always been just having a couple through it and it doesn’t fit at all. She’s not a Kreighoff fan at all which is disappointing and a relief all at the same time and doesn’t really shoot enough to warrant putting any more than necessary into a gun. Work and life etc means that sometimes she will go 4 weeks and not shoot. I think for the budget we have the best Miroku we can get is the way and leave a little change to get any changes made done and get her something that does fit and will last. And I can shoot the Lanber while I wait for my K80 coming back from Teague

Yorkshire Clay Shooting said:

Yes from the little research I have done it does appear to be shorter and higher in the comb is the way to go. As I mentioned she’s only really said about how bad the gun she’s been shooting for years shoots now she has shot something else as whenever she has shot anything of mine or anyone else’s it’s always been just having a couple through it and it doesn’t fit at all. She’s not a Kreighoff fan at all which is disappointing and a relief all at the same time and doesn’t really shoot enough to warrant putting any more than necessary into a gun. Work and life etc means that sometimes she will go 4 weeks and not shoot. I think for the budget we have the best Miroku we can get is the way and leave a little change to get any changes made done and get her something that does fit and will last. And I can shoot the Lanber while I wait for my K80 coming back from Teague

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I wasn’t a Kreighoff fan until I shot one!! Tried Phil’s but it was too heavy, too low etc and it hurt me! BH sorted me out with balance, height etc and I have a decent pad (cannot go wrong with a Kickeeze btw) and my scores jumped. I actually have a 32” but it balances and handles so well and I’m only 4’11”, it’s nearly as tall as me! Phil did ask me if I didn’t have my K80 what else would I shoot and I honestly don’t know! Would probably go back to an MK38.

Well for that money you may get lucky and find a browning 525 sporter one with adjustable comb. Inter changeable inflex pads available in different lengths from browning will sort the lop. Last forever. Easy resell. Steel proofed. Perfect.
Personally my Mrs thinks the "ladies" guns are a token effort by the manufacturers. Rarely are they high enough in the comb. And some have prison tats.
She's 5ft nothing , shooting a 32" dt11.

donna said:

I wasn’t a Kreighoff fan until I shot one!! Tried Phil’s but it was too heavy, too low etc and it hurt me! BH sorted me out with balance, height etc and I have a decent pad (cannot go wrong with a Kickeeze btw) and my scores jumped. I actually have a 32” but it balances and handles so well and I’m only 4’11”, it’s nearly as tall as me! Phil did ask me if I didn’t have my K80 what else would I shoot and I honestly don’t know! Would probably go back to an MK38.

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Yes I can imagine the fact that the only Kreighoff she has shot fits her 6ft twice as heavy as she is fella probably doesn’t help her choice. To be honest she also isn’t a fan of the styling and it isn’t growing on her at all

jasper said:

Well for that money you may get lucky and find a browning 525 sporter one with adjustable comb. Inter changeable inflex pads available in different lengths from browning will sort the lop. Last forever. Easy resell. Steel proofed. Perfect.
Personally my Mrs thinks the "ladies" guns are a token effort by the manufacturers. Rarely are they high enough in the comb. And some have prison tats.
She's 5ft nothing , shooting a 32" dt11.

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Totally agree Jasper, no such thing as a “ladies” gun really, it’s just another gimmick like trying to get all ladies to shoot a 20 bore

Agree with the 525 option. One of the guns I got was 525 (2008) which is HP steel proof and solid as a rock. Paid £850 and adj comb and pad took it to £1,200 but its well worth the money and will hold it's value. Daughter shoots an 525RS (meant as a ladies option) and we ended up with an adj stock on that anyway so I agree with Jasper & Donna - forget the so called marketing.

The K80 is a nice gun and having had a go with one they absorb recoil like nothing else, the dileme is for me if I spent 8k on a gun I would proberly get divorce papers before I had a chance to get a score card

So you will have more time to enjoy the k80. Its a no brainer.

Is your part of Yorkshire near enough to nip over to Kelbrook ? They have a good number of rental guns to suit all shapes and sizes , and a decent gunroom refreshingly free from crap . Trying out various brands/ styles is cheaper than making a mistake .

Stay away from all the “ladies” guns none are any closer than the normal and will need re fitting anyways

If you find a competent instructor who can see her style and body type he or she should be able to get you pretty close then the fitting part comes in.

But a forum will get you a million answers all trying to help but without being hands on it’s guess work