Shopping for shotguns for women is easier today than it was decades ago. This is thanks to manufacturers who make shotguns explicitly designed for women that range from Over-Under shotguns to semi-automatic options.
RELATED: 5 Essential Tips For New Women Shooters
Top 6 Shotguns for Women in the Market Today
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1. Fausti Aphrodite
Fausti is renowned for its line of Over-Under shotguns, and the Aphrodite model is no different. Unlike most shotguns that are modified to fit women, the Aphrodite is specifically designed for women. The shotgun is aligned with a woman's form with a cast, drop, LOP, and Monte Carlo comb.
What's more, it's available in 12, 20, and 28 gauges, not to mention .410 bore, in sporting and traditional hunting configurations. Similarly, it comes with varying barrel lengths with fixed and interchangeable chokes.
2. Browning Citori CX Micro
Citori from Browning is one of the most popular Over-Under shotguns in the market. While the CX Micro model is not explicitly designed for women, it has a 13 ⅛ -inch LOP making it the shortest gun on this list.
Small-statured shooters love this firearm as it is a relatively adjustable shotgun due to extreme modifications. Additionally, it has an overall weight of 8lbs and comes with 28 or 30-inch, 12-gauge barrels. The drop at comb of the shotgun is outstanding, but the winner is the Graco buttpad that allows you to adjust the LOP, height, and toe-in/out.
3. Beretta 693 Vittoria
The 693 Vittoria by Beretta comes in hunting and competition configurations. This Over-under shotgun comes in 12 and 20-gauge, not to mention a semi Monte Carlo stock and 14-inch LOP. You will love the option of 26, 28, or 30-inch barrels, which weigh around 7lbs.
You might also want to check out the popular Vittoria version of Beretta's popular A400 semi-auto shotgun as well.
4. FabArm Elos N2 All Sport
The Elos N2 All Sport isn't specially designed for women, but it features a shorter LOP, reduced pistol grip, and a Micro Metric adjustable stock that comes with a 2-inch Monte Carlo comb.
This Over-Under is meant to be a do-it-all gun for all shotgun sports. What's more, the interchangeable ribs let the shotgun go from trap to skeet to sporting clays smoothly.
Being a 12-gauge shotgun, the Elos N2 All Sport comes with 3-inch chambers and, of course, your choice of either 30 or 32-inch barrels. It weighs around 7 lbs and also comes with the option of a left-hand stock.
5. Franchi Affinity Catalyst
The Affinity Catalyst is an inertia-driven semi-automatic gun with a stock that is specially made for women. It comes in 12 and 20-gauge, and the LOP is 13 ⅞ -inches. The comb height, pitch, and cast come adjusted to fit most women's faces better.
A 28-inch barrel, 12-gauge piece weighs in at 6.6 lbs. It comes with a shim kit that helps you customize the gun to your precise specs.
6. Syren XLR5 Waterfowler
Syren is arguably the master of women's guns. They have a wide variety of semi-auto and Over-Under models built for hunting and competition. The XLR5 Waterfowler stands out in this variety because it is among the few waterfowl models for women in the market.
The stock on the XLR5 Waterfowler is crafted to fit a female face and form, not to mention a 13.9-inch length of pull. It is a gas-operated and semi-automatic 12-gauge gun with a 28-inch barrel, three-inch chamber, and RealTree camo finish. A Monte Carlo comb, seven-degree shooting pitch, and a left-handed model option are the icing on the top.
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Tips for Finding the Best Shotguns for Women
1. Consider the Shotgun Fit
The standard out-of-the-box shotgun is designed for the average shooter – a right-handed male standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 180pounds. Though shooters come in shapes and sizes, manufacturers have settled for these dimensions as their best chance at making money.
It is excellent news if you fit this mold. Otherwise, you will have to adapt to the gun, which is hard, find a fit closer to your mold, or adapt to aftermarket modifications. Unlike men, women have longer necks, narrower frames, high cheekbones, and smaller hands, all of which are vital touchpoints when handling a shotgun.
Eye dominance is another often overlooked factor. If you have cross-dominance, learning how to shoot on your dominant eye's side is more accessible than fighting dominance.
2. Go For a Good Enough Shotgun Fit
If you ask many women shooters, you will find that some are successful with youth model shotguns while others prefer using shotguns specifically designed for women. Some advocate for stock modifications, while others have mastered out-of-the-box shotguns just well.
Even with all these scenarios, all you need to do is position your eye correctly above the barrel to ensure that your pupil lines up with the front bead. By doing this, you are guaranteed that the gun will shoot where you're looking, resulting in a successful day on the hunt.
To get the best possible fit for a day out, try placing a mirror at the muzzle to check the alignment of your dominant eye. You can use this approach when you are out shopping for a new shotgun or loaning it.
Tip: Whether buying or borrowing, do not be afraid to try out all shotguns until you find one that feels right for you.
3. Take the Right Approach before Buying a Shotgun
Being realistic about your intentions and needs is vital for getting the best gear for all of your activities. For instance, spending thousands on a high-end shotgun will be unrealistic if you are only trying out hunting or if it is only a small part compared to your other hobbies.
If this is the case, shopping in the used market is your best chance of landing a quality gun at reasonable prices, like the Beretta 300 series shotguns that often fit female shooters.
However, if you are diving headfirst into shooting or hunting, a shotgun designed explicitly for women like the ones listed above should be your first choice. There are not many of them out here, making them hard to find in the used market, so you will have to buy a new one.
4. Avoid Myths Surrounding Shotguns for Women
As with many other things, several myths surround female shotguns that you need to get out of the way if you stand a chance at getting the best fit shotgun. Most of these concepts are thrown around as well-meaning advice but can be misleading if you are not careful, mainly because even women come in all shapes and sizes.
5. Selecting the Best Shotgun for Women
Here, you can call your local shooting range or gun club to inquire about the availability of demonstration days intended for women. Such events will require you to get out there and try something new with other people, which is worth it.
Alternatively, you can contact the pro staff for a manufacturer you are interested in buying to find out about shooting instructors or local ranges where you can try the shotgun. Keep in mind that this may be a paid alternative, especially if it involves instructions.
Tip: You can also ask other shooters what they use and try it out to see if it works for you
Here’s an infographic guide. Don’t forget to download, save, or share this handy infographic for reference:
Over-Under shotguns are the most popular, but that does not mean that there are no female-specific options in the market. Several other choices are not explicitly designed for women but might still suit your form and needs.
Loading ...Are you an experienced shooter? Which of these shotguns do you prefer? Let us know in the comment section below!
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