If you are a woman looking for a shotgun, you’re in the right place. You may be looking for something that you can use for hunting, target shooting, or home defense. Either way, finding the right one will be the goal here.
Some shotguns may be too heavy and can pack a powerful punch. Some may even be too large in size for a woman to handle. Fortunately, there are shotguns that you can use so you can be able to get a good accurate shot every time you pull the trigger.
We’ll be taking a look at some of the best shotguns for women on the market. Before we do, we’ll be going over the following considerations to help you find the best shotgun for you. You’ll be able to decide on one based on the features that are vital for its use.
Be sure to find the right one that is in good quality and first your budget. Let’s dive right in and talk more about what to look for.
Best Shotguns For Women
Benelli M2
First on the list, we’ll be taking a look at the Benelli M2. There are different versions of this shotgun that you can find. You can find one with a pistol grip and one without it.
If you want better stability for every shot you take, you should consider purchasing the one with a pistol grip intact. Another version of this shotgun has a classic stock, if you want something that looks old-school. It has a capacity of 5+1, making it an excellent shotgun for almost any purpose.
Since it’s a .12 gauge, it will be ideal mostly for home defense. However, you can use it for other purposes such as hunting and target practice. For better accuracy it has a ghost-ring sighting system.
You’ll want every shot to be as accurate as possible. When your shots are on target, you’ll feel like a sharpshooter with this. The shotgun itself is made from synthetic material, making it very durable and sturdy.
The synthetic stock is great so you can be able to absorb as much recoil as possible. If you want less recoil, but enough of it to handle you want this shotgun.
Key Features:
- Includes a pistol grip for better stability
- Ghost-ring sight
- 5+1 capacity for .12 gauge rounds
Mossberg 500
The Mossberg brand is one of the best names in shotguns. Its Mossberg 500 model is amongst one of the most popular not only for women, but all other users. If you are looking for a pump action shotgun that will be perfect for every possible application, this is one you’ll want to consider.
It weighs about 6.75 pounds, making it a good weight to carry it around when you’re in the woods walking around for a lengthy period of time. It’s made with a synthetic stock, making it great for shock absorption and reduced recoil.
If you are looking for a shotgun that will be excellent in terms of reliability, this is the one you’ll want. It’s even available at a good price. Sure, finding a shotgun on a budget can be a challenge.
However, the Mossberg 500 proves itself as the best in terms of quality and reliability. For the price that it’s going for, you probably won’t find a shotgun anywhere else. So get it while you can.
The Mossberg series is never underestimated. If you are looking for the perfect pump action shotgun, you probably won’t find anything better than a Mossberg. Even if you use it for just home defense.
Key Features:
- 5+1 rounds
- Pump-action
- Synthetic stock
Franchi Instinct Catalyst
Next is the Franchi Instinct Catalyst. The Franchi brand has several different shotguns for women. However, this one is perhaps one of the best options.
Up to this point, we’ve reviewed .12 gauge shotguns. Let’s provide you with a .20 gauge option that you want to use for hunting or target practice. This has a blued gloss barrel finish and a walnut stock, giving it a mix of modern and classic looks.
At 26 inches, you have a good long barrel that will make this shotgun quite intimidating. You know what they say, you don’t mess with a woman with a shotgun. It’s solidly built and perfect for your outdoor applications.
This is another shotgun you will find on the market at an affordable price. It’s also a lightweight shotgun, so you won’t have to worry about carrying something ridiculously heavy. Lastly, it’s got ergonomically friendly features to make using it very comfortable.
If you are looking for one of the handfuls of shotguns that are designed just for women, this is one of them. There are plenty of them on the market and even some of them are brands that create guns just for women. We’ll take a look at one of them here right off.
Key Features:
- Recoil pad
- Walnut stock
- Fiber optic sight
Syren XLR5 Waterfowler
If you want the perfect shotgun for hunting, the Syren XLR5 Waterfowler might just be the perfect option. It’s a .12 gauge shotgun with a camouflage finish. You’ll be able to see your target, but the small game targets you’re going after won’t.
It’s lightweight, easy to shoot, and provides you with less recoil compared to other hunting shotguns. It’s the kind of shotgun that was made for the woman that doesn’t mind getting down and dirty while hunting for the ducks, ruffed grouse, or anything else that she can find in the field.
If you are looking for something that is reliable, this is a shotgun that will prove its worth. You can carry this around all day and not feel like you’re carrying a bag of rocks. Get this and you won’t regret using it.
Key Features:
- Camouflage finish
- 13.9-inch length of pull
- 28 inch barrel length
How To Choose The Best Shotgun For Women?
Not all shotguns are created equal. So it’s important to find one that will best fit you. Let’s take a look at the following considerations to help you find the right one that you’ll enjoy using.
Capacity
The capacity will differ between one shotgun to the next. You could have one up to six shots and another that can hold up to four. The more shots, the better.
For example, your capacity will be 4 + 1. You’ll have four shells on reserve and one in the chamber.
Type of shotgun
There are different types of shotguns that you can find on the market. They include the following:
Pump-action: This features a sliding action that will allow you to hold up to multiple rounds at a time. You move the slide to ‘rack’ the round before taking a shot. After you fire the shot, you repeat the process to reload a new shell. This is excellent for many different applications. This may be a shotgun for more experienced users, so it might not be newbie friendly from the start.
Break-action: This is one of the oldest types of shotguns to exist. You press down on a level that will ‘open’ the shotgun. It’s attached to a hinge so it opens as it should. You insert the round and close the barrel and prepare to take a shot. Break action shotguns will have a hammer that you will need to cock back prior to firing. Break-action shotguns will either be single or double barreled. This is a shotgun that will be best used for beginners that have not fired guns before (or have less experience).
Semi-automatic: A semi-automatic shotgun works when you fire it and the used round is discarded. A new shell is then chambered after that. Semi-automatics will not need any kind of pumping or cocking back of the hammer. You simply load and pull the trigger until you’re out. One of the biggest disadvantages of this kind of shotgun is that it can jam. It can also be a challenge to clean as well and maintain. If you don’t mind putting in a bit of work in terms of maintenance, you could get away with using a shotgun like this.
Gauge Type
You have .12, .20, and .410 as your best gauge options. The one you want to choose should depend on the intent and purpose. For example, if you are planning on using it for home defense, a .12 gauge will fare better than the others.
For hunting and target practice, a .20 or a .410 can be an excellent choice. If you are hunting small game, either shotgun will do. If you want a bit more power, a .20 gauge will get the job done better than a .410.
The good news is that .20 and .410 shotguns don’t produce a ton of recoil. If you are a woman, you will need a shotgun that has a bit of recoil, but not enough to where it can knock you down or hit you hard enough to bruise your shoulder.
