quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
Double Trap is a separate from the sport of Trap and isn't that common in the US, at least not in my area. I also suspect that Doubles Trap can and has been shot with a Pump Action shotgun. We have one fellow at our range who shoots Skeet with a Pump and you have a lot less distance with Skeet than in Trap.

The OP asked about a Trap gun suitable for his daughter who is 5'8" inches tall. So, if you are going to purchase something for a young women just starting out are you going to spend 4 or 5 grand on a dedicated Trap gun or are you going to choose something that will be easy to sell and doesn't cost a lot in the event she loses interest. Odds are good he'll be looking for the latter. In which case the Remington 870 is the near perfect choice.

They do doubles at my trap range in Fort Lauderdale, FL if people ask for it while on the range and all 5 shooters agree. I'd say I've seen it happen at least every 4 or 5 times I've gone. I like shooting doubles sometimes. A bit more interesting than normal trap, and not as monotonous as skeet, where every shot is the same direction and in the same rotation.

Remington V3 12 gauge (compact models and stocks available). Softest shooting 12 gauge SA on the market. You'll happily laugh at the lack of recoil.

Weatherby SA-08 20 gauge compact. Reliable. Simple.

Both guns can be had for between $400ish-$650ish price point depending where you shop.

I agree with the advice given above...don't sink real money into a trap gun until she develops into the sport.

Any of the models of Beretta semi-auto shotguns would be suitable, not just the older 3901. They are all nice, soft-shooting guns. Replacement stocks would be readily available, so you can saw one off, or get a shorter stock for her. They even make models with the higher ribs and higher combed stocks that trap shooters like.

If I wan't buying a specialist trap shooter's gun, it would be a Beretta semi-auto. But a Remington semi would be a decent choice.

I don't know if this works for her needs, but I have a CZ 712 ALS. ALS stands for "Adjustable Length Stock". It easily adjusts from a 12"-14 1/3" LOP. However, the stock is in a "field" or "skeet" type of configuration, not "trap" style.

Thanks for all the input, folks!

I had a line on a Remington 1100 Trap set up with an adjustable comb, and the guy was selling it for under $600. Problem was, it was around 9lbs, and too much gun (and too forward weighted) for my daughter. So, on with the quest.

The gun that the coaches and other shooters keep bringing up to me is the Beretta A400 Multitarget, but that sucker is $2400 minimum, and I'm just not sure she's proven to me yet that she'll stick to it.

I had looked at that CZ 712, T.Webb, and wondered how good a gun it was. Does it come with shims to adjust for cant as well? Felt recoil?

quote:

Originally posted by slabsides45:
Thanks for all the input, folks!

I had a line on a Remington 1100 Trap set up with an adjustable comb, and the guy was selling it for under $600. Problem was, it was around 9lbs, and too much gun (and too forward weighted) for my daughter. So, on with the quest.

The gun that the coaches and other shooters keep bringing up to me is the Beretta A400 Multitarget, but that sucker is $2400 minimum, and I'm just not sure she's proven to me yet that she'll stick to it.

I had looked at that CZ 712, T.Webb, and wondered how good a gun it was. Does it come with shims to adjust for cant as well? Felt recoil?

You can get an 1100 barrel for around $100 (26"/28" etc.) and sell that barrel. The 1100 is extremely versatile when it comes to finding different barrels and stocks and aftermarket support for a shotgun.

Well, an update of sorts. There's a local guy who happens to compete and train folks for trap and skeet when he isn't gunsmithing, and he had a gun for her to use for the time being.

It's a Beretta 391 Urika 12ga, has an extended bolt release, porting on barrel and the trap stock with adjustable buttplate (comb is fixed but perfect for her). So, she has something to shoot for now, and he's said that if she uses it and wants to buy it he'll sell it to her. I know some about the 391, but not tons. My limited knowledge is that its a good shooter and a pita to clean. Any thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by slabsides45:
Well, an update of sorts. There's a local guy who happens to compete and train folks for trap and skeet when he isn't gunsmithing, and he had a gun for her to use for the time being.

It's a Beretta 391 Urika 12ga, has an extended bolt release, porting on barrel and the trap stock with adjustable buttplate (comb is fixed but perfect for her). So, she has something to shoot for now, and he's said that if she uses it and wants to buy it he'll sell it to her. I know some about the 391, but not tons. My limited knowledge is that its a good shooter and a pita to clean. Any thoughts?

My friend has a Beretta 391. It's a very nice gun. I've used it for trap shooting before. I have no idea how hard it is to clean. But, sounds like she can see if she enjoys the sport before you have to invest any money. So that is a win.

I have nothing but good things to say about the 39 series Beretta shotties. Fantastic shotguns and have been pretty affordable for a lot of years. Now, not so much. But great shotguns.

she will have no need to upgrade for a long, long time. That SG will compete at any level she achieves.

quote:

Originally posted by slabsides45:
Thanks for all the input, folks!

I had a line on a Remington 1100 Trap set up with an adjustable comb, and the guy was selling it for under $600. Problem was, it was around 9lbs, and too much gun (and too forward weighted) for my daughter. So, on with the quest.

The gun that the coaches and other shooters keep bringing up to me is the Beretta A400 Multitarget, but that sucker is $2400 minimum, and I'm just not sure she's proven to me yet that she'll stick to it.

I had looked at that CZ 712, T.Webb, and wondered how good a gun it was. Does it come with shims to adjust for cant as well? Felt recoil?

I have a CZ 712 and it has proven to be 100% reliable with Target ammunition. Chambering is 2.75/3.00 so it will allow the use of 3 inch Magnums. As for felt recoil, my guesstimate is that it's about even with a 20 gage O/U shooting 7/8 oz. target loads when shooting 1 1/8 ounce target 12 gage. However I do have to say that the 12 gage shooting 2 3/4 target loads is NOT the least bit "brutal".

I've used my CZ for Trap but the lost birds due to dropping the bolt too loudly on a sound triggered range did get to be a bit of a hassle. Once I got my Browning Pump I went to that to shoot trap and used the CZ for Sporting Clays. BTW, word on the Net is that the CZ semi's are sort of a knock off of the Beretta Semi's. Not sure if that is actually true but the are both gas operated and should be more tolerant of a variety of different energy levels. I can also say that cleaning the CZ is a bit more complicated than cleaning something like a Remy 870 but it's not horrible once you figure out the take down procedure. Weight is in the range of 7 1/2 lbs. and yes it does come with a limited selection of fitting shims. Length of pull is 14.5 inches so you would probably have to have a 1/2 inch or so trimmed from the stock.

Finally, concerning the use of a Pump or Semi for Trap. In trap singles either will work quite well and one feature that will provide a real benefit for a newer shooting is the longer receiver common to most semi's or pumps. That additional length provides for a longer sight plane and that can help a newer shooter to get more hits. Downside is that they can seem to be a bit barrel heavy. However I have never found a bit of extra weight forward on a shotgun to be a problem.

I know, you have a teen age daughter. So what. She's young enough that building new muscle tissue is easy and in just a month or so of shooting she will be able to handle some of the heaviest clay busters on the market with ease. Quite simply don't sell a teenager short, if they really want to do something they'll figure out how to get it done.