Whats a Good size shotgun?

[scottfrick]

So my wife is 5'4, 145 pounds and absolutely loves to go out and shoot. We've been looking around and cant really find a shotgun that seems to fit her good. I'm trying to find a shotgun for her that will be good for her to shoot clays and when the time comes possibly a turkey. For you guys out there that have girls about my wifes size what did you find that worked really well???

[birdwacker]

Look at the 20 ga youth models.

[vandeman17]

Look at the 20 ga youth models.

My gf shoots the Mossberg bantam youth 20 gauge and she does well. She is only 5'1" and about 110 lbs. Not too much kick on her and not too big for her.

[thinkingman]

Browning Micro Midas.
Beautiful shotguns and sized appropriately.

[Camp David]

Lots to consider. LOP (length of pull) is most likely the most important. Her nose should be ~ 1.5 inches from the knuckle (closest to the wrist) on her thumb on the hand that holds the stock. A gunsmith can cut it down easy and also fit it with a nice recoil pad. Make sure the pitch of the stock is correct or the gun stock will continue slap her in the cheek and inflict pain to her cheek. Last is comb height.  The eye is the rear sight on a shotgun and if the comb is too low or too high the POI (point of impact) of the shot string will be different than the POA (point of aim). Do her a big favor and take the gun to a place where you can pattern it to see how the recoil, and the POI is. A light gun will have more recoil. An O/U will most likely kick harder than an auto. Spend the money to get a fun gun for her to shoot and you will have a shooting partner for a long time. 

[seth30]

There are many gauges that would be perfect for a small framed person, but keep in mind about ease and price of finding ammo if you go with a nonstadard gauge IE 16 Gauge, 28 Gauge   Have fun and be safe once you make the purchase

[singleshot12]

My wife is about 5'4 and she shoots a CZ semi-atuo youth reduced length. She loves it! and best of all she kills $hit with it 

[C-Money]

My wife has always liked shooting a 870 wingmaster in 20ga. Fits her well, not to heavy, not bad recoil!

[wildweeds]

Browning Micro Midas.
Beautiful shotguns and sized appropriately.

and when you surprise her with it be prepared..................your gonna get somethin somethin extra 

[TwoSixFourWins]

My other half is about the same size and shoots a benelli nova.

[superdown]

browning bps upland special my girlfriend is about 100lbs and 4'11 and loves this gun
20  3" 22"  42 1/2"  14"  1 5/8"  1 7/8"  6 lbs. 12 oz.      

[coachcw]

10 gauge auto mag !

[Buckmark]

Bennelli Montefeltro youth, sweet gun...

[seth30]

10 gauge auto mag !

[CP]

Lots to consider. LOP (length of pull) is most likely the most important. Her nose should be ~ 1.5 inches from the knuckle (closest to the wrist) on her thumb on the hand that holds the stock. A gunsmith can cut it down easy and also fit it with a nice recoil pad. Make sure the pitch of the stock is correct or the gun stock will continue slap her in the cheek and inflict pain to her cheek. Last is comb height.  The eye is the rear sight on a shotgun and if the comb is too low or too high the POI (point of impact) of the shot string will be different than the POA (point of aim). Do her a big favor and take the gun to a place where you can pattern it to see how the recoil, and the POI is. A light gun will have more recoil. An O/U will most likely kick harder than an auto. Spend the money to get a fun gun for her to shoot and you will have a shooting partner for a long time.

 

Lots of good info there. 

The best size shotgun is one that fits. 

Gauge is a different matter entirely.  There is absolutely no reason not to go with a 12g.  Popular myth is that sub gauges have less recoil than 12g, total BS – recoil is not a function of gauge, it’s a function of weight, type of action and the load being fired.