Shotgun recoil

[crazygrrrl]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Those are some mean-looking shotguns! I love the camo! Mine looks so plain... basic black (or "blue" as they say).

The firing range that I go to doesn't allow hip shots, and I can't aim from the hip. I think I would probably drop the gun if I didn't hold it against my shoulder. The recoil is pretty strong.

I'll definitely have to check out Target Masters West to see if they sell recoil pads for the butt stock. I wonder if Limbsaver makes a recoil pad that'll fit a 20 gauge?

I found some recoil shoulder pads/shields on Amazon. There's even one for women that attaches to your bra so it's somewhat concealed. The only thing wrong is that it might make one boob look bigger than the other.

[golfproeric]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Here's a list of brands and models they make recoil pads for

http://www.limbsaver.com/2010/produc..._reference.php

I saw 500C, but it says youth model and not special purpose

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: Shotgun recoil

it might make one boob look bigger than the other.

Send pics!

[golfproeric]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Send pics!

[StrtRacer98]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Try a pistol grip / stock combo for the shotgun, that may help a bit.

[Heywood]

Re: Shotgun recoil

The way I was taught to shoulder a shotgun many a year ago was to raise your elbow until your upper arm is almost parallel to the ground. Then if you touch your shoulder between the shoulder joint and your collar bone you should be able to feel a sort of "pocket"- that's where you put the butt of the shotgun. Put the middle of the butt in the middle of that pocket- not too low, not too high. It hurts to shoot if the butt is on the shoulder joint itself, or on the collar bone (ouch!). Pull the gun snug into your shoulder and lean forward slightly.

This is how to told a shotgun for skeet/trap/sporting clays. If I understand correctly, law enforcement are taught to hold rifles/shotguns differently than that (elbow low to create a smaller profile).

[crazygrrrl]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Thanks for the link golfproeric. I think the stock that is on my shotgun is a regular one not a youth. What do you think?



Close up on the stock:



I'll have to bring my shotgun with me when I go to Target Masters on Saturday. They're the biggest gun store in the CA bay area (they also have an indoor firing range), so hopefully they have some recoil pads that'll fit the shotgun. If not, I'll have to find some recoil pads for my shoulder.

Heywood:
You're right. I was taught to keep my elbow down, so maybe that might be part of the problem. Next time, I'll try shooting with my elbow parallel to the ground to see if that helps. Thanks for the tip.

Bird_Of_Prey:
I should'a seen that one coming. Maybe I will if it looks funny enough... Though I would just about die of embarassment if any of my coworkers see the picture posted online somewhere.

[golfproeric]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Yea it looks to be a full size composite stock, you shouldn't have any problems getting a recoil pad

[crazygrrrl]

Re: Shotgun recoil

Ok, so I called around to several sporting goods stores last night and not one of them have recoil pads or shields in stock. Even Target Masters does not stock shoulder recoil pads or vests (I'd have to special order them), so I did the next best thing.

I went to Walmart and bought some $6.00 gel insoles with the arch support. These things are squishy and thick. And when you stack them on top of each other, they are especially cushy.

I used masking tape to secure the insoles to my jacket. Yes, I looked very silly, but they worked great!!! I actually managed to use all 25 bird shots in my 20 gauge! Normally, I can't fire off more than 12 shells tops. YAAAAAYY!

My shoulder feels fine. I didn't even get any red marks like I did last time. I'm so happy!

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

[golfproeric]

Re: Shotgun recoil

wow i can't believe nobody carried anything. don't you have a bass pro shops or cabelas near you?

oh well, glad to hear you rigged something up. i remember the bruises and initial pains trying to get accustomed to the recoil. keep it up an hopefully you won't even need the pads anymore.

[crazygrrrl]

Re: Shotgun recoil

It seems that shotguns aren't very popular in my area, so most sporting goods stores don't carry accessories for them.

I tried Big 5 Sporting Goods in San Lorenzo who said they had 2 recoil pads in stock, but when I went there on Saturday, they were all sold out. I also tried Sports Authority in Concord, who claimed they had them, but couldn't find any on the shelf when I got there. I tried another Sports Authority in San Leandro, but this store didn't have any hunting gear at all.

I checked out Cabelas' website but the nearest store is in Verdi, NV. That's about 250-300 miles away. I'll definitely check it out the next time I head out to Reno for Hot August nights. (It's a HUGE car show in the first week of August.) I still might mail order the the shoulder recoil shield from them. It's $30. Not bad considering I don't have to endure the funny looks and laughs at the range.

[golfproeric]

Re: Shotgun recoil

lol i can only imagine what wearing those shoe insoles on your shoulder looks like

but no, $30 isn't bad for the recoil shield

[ssms5411]

Re: Shotgun recoil

We shot 12ga. in the PD academy , 8 shot and slugs even me being as big as I am would get bruses, only thing you can do is make sure the butt of the gun is in your arm pitt pocket and shoot the best you can , after awhile you will build a up a tolorace to it and get use to it.

[golfproeric]

Re: Shotgun recoil

We shot 12ga. in the PD academy , 8 shot and slugs even me being as big as I am would get bruses, only thing you can do is make sure the butt of the gun is in your arm pitt pocket and shoot the best you can , after awhile you will build a up a tolorace to it and get use to it.

yea i won't lie though, i'm pretty built and slugs still bruise me after 5-6 shots

[crazygrrrl]

Re: Shotgun recoil

I have yet to try buckshots, much less slugs. If birdshots kick as much as they do, I can only imagine how painful it would be to shoot slugs. The recoil might even knock me over!

Even with the jelly insoles taped to my thick jacket, I don't think I'll ever attempt to shoot slugs. (God help me if my older brother sneaks a slug into my box of birdshots.) I think I might go as far as shooting 4 buck, but that's it. Anything bigger is overkill.