Finding the Right Gun on a Budget
Posted On: 06-04-2020
I have been blessed to be around some really great trap shooters. I do not consider myself as one of those, but I do recognize the parts and pieces that make them great shooters. To begin we need a gun and we need the mental and physical aspects of shooting to succeed, but maybe we put too much into the gun when we first start shooting. My first competitive skeet gun was an 870 pump. Plenty of gun to compete.
Over the years I have been engaged in the Mid-America (Formerly Mizzou) Trap Academy I have seen so many combinations of guns and shooters. Some have arrived with their grandfathers Model 12 Winchester or something similar and others with a brand new Perazzi. I have seen guns that fit and guns so heavy the poor youth shooter could not hold it up long enough to pull the trigger. To a point some youth shooters adapt to the gun and build skills around the gun instead of skills that develop with the gun. What I mean is the gun for some becomes too important and the skills don’t get developed properly.
Many kids begin shooting with a gun handed down from a family member. Fit, may not be the operative in this arrangement, but I have seen guns that do not fit work for kids that have adapted. With few options available making this hand-me-down fit is imperative.
At the other end of the spectrum is the desire to adapt to the best guns available for no other reason than they are the best guns available. I don’t see many Caesar Gurini’s at youth clinics, but I do see Kolar, Perazzi, Browning and K-80’s. Often times some of these guns are too much for a beginning youth shooter. They are heavy, have features many do not know how to use correctly (adjustable stock and sights) and in the end don’t produce positive results.
I am reminded of a great story Karla Harrison told about her late husband the great Leo Harrison III. At a national competition to pass a little time she went to town shopping. This was all before cell phones and unknown to her; Leo’s gun was in the truck. Unable to contact her Leo was forced to borrow a gun and went on to win the title. It was not the gun the won him the title it was his set of skills and talent that day that carried him to the podium overcoming the gun. Again, of course, Leo had skills first.
So what’s the middle ground here? First of all the gun has to have a starting point with regard to fit of the primary shooter. Youth model guns are great, but not for a 6’5” 275 pound shooter. Weight is indeed important and we all know the best way to minimize recoil is with weight. Too much though is problematic. Length also becomes difficult to work with.
I have not mentioned money yet, but guns are expensive and this sport is expensive, so being realistic and keeping within a budget will indeed improve the number of shooters coming into and continuing in the sport. Here are several entry-level guns that if they fit should be considered:
- Mossberg Maverick 88 – $250
- Savage 320 – $230
- Remington 870 Express Pump – $330
- Mossberg 500 Pump – $350
- Winchester SXP Pump – $330
- Benelli Nova Pump – $400
- Stoeger M-3000 Pump – $500
- Mossberg Flex 500 – $420
- Weatherby SA-08 – $400
- Beretta A300 – $680
- Stoeger M-3500 – $600
Take some time to get the right gun, but maybe not the most expensive gun to start out shooting. Be active in the fit and get as close to perfect as possible. Go to the club and try and few guns, maybe look around and see what others are shooting and ask to try theirs for a fit and feel. Head to the gun store and try a bunch of guns. Keep in mind I am basically talking about guns like those above, not fully adjustable guns that only fit that shooter.
Lots of choices.
David R. Vaught, Ph.D.
Executive Director
MYSSA