Shotguns.... what do I need to know?

Start by learning the weapon inside and out.

Loading, Unloading, Safety and action. Practice manipulating them so you're comfortable with the handling.

Next pick up some different loads. #7 or #8 birdshot, #4 Buckshot (if you can find it) #00 Buckshot and a couple of slugs, so you can start getting a feel for the gun. I find they each feel a little different when they recoil.

Set up several large torso targets at 20' - about as far as you'll likely shoot in a home defense situration and "pattern" the gun with different loads. Mount the shotgun, put the bead on the center of the target and squeeze off a shot. Move to the next target, a new load and repeat. Notice how small an area the pellets hit at 20 feet. (You still need to aim with a shotgun)

If your barrel will accept 3" or 3 1/2" shells, give a few a try and get a feel for them as well.
If your wife finds the recoil of a 2 3/4" shell too heavy, you can consider a smaller guage or some manufacturers have "reduced recoil" and "managed recoil" shells you can try out as well.

-- If your wife isn't going to take it to the range and practice, I'd recommend considering a break-action side-by-side over a pump action. There's a lot less to go wrong with a side by side, and its just as effective for the first couple of shots.

At first we want to learn the manipulation. Then home defense and skeet. We are going to take a look at the 20 gauge youth models at some point and I'm guessing I will need a longer barrel for the 930.


My wife will go to the range with it. The only guns that rarely come out of the safe are the .22s :)

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I am also planning on getting some snapcaps today or Thursday if anyplace is open.

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Yes, you'll likely want different barrels for skeet and home defense. I've shot some trap shooting with my 18 1/2" barreled HD Mossberg 500A, but find it's much easier with a good 26" barrel (ghost ring sight on the HD shotgun didn't help with skeet either)

For skeet, repeat the patterning exercise at 25 and 50 yards (you might need a bigger piece of paper) and try out a few different loads (different weights, styles and manufacturers) to find one that patterns well in your gun.

Also, if the barrels have threads for removable chokes, don't shoot them without a choke, pick up a cylinder or skeet choke to protect the threads. You can get some chokes that have compensators built in, which can help with recoil as well.