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Help me spec My Best Girl’s new Shotgun

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Discussion starter · #22 ·
Pull & Mark said:
Well, if she wants to try a lower rib shotgun. Has she tried any team mates low rib shotgun yet?

If you want to spend the cash, a trip to a Krieghoff dealer will be your best bet. Krieghoff has 3 different barrels weights. Two styles of barrels, plus they have the Ladies style shotgun as well. Kolar is lacking in the lighter weight department. Kolar shotguns are the heaviest of any shotgun made. Not exactly what a 16 year old young lady needs to shoot well, I expect. The K-gun dealer will have a salesperson to wait on you. You need to call the K-gun dealer in advance and set up a appointment to come in. Your daughter can try all 3 barrel weights, The ladies shotgun, The standard rib K-80, and both of the Parcours barrels. The K-gun dealer should have a stock fitter as well. You can talk to him/her and ask any questions you have. If you daughter needs a adj. butt plate, it will be installed when she takes the gun home. Since all K-80's now come with a adj. comb, you will not need one installed. You can also pick the grade of engraving and grade level of wood you want on her shotgun as well. You will not have to wait 18 months to get the shotgun as well. Lots of New K-80's on the shelves now. Since the price went up the first of this month.
I could have mentioned this before, its just that most trap shooters do not want to spend 14 grand on their 16 yr. old daughter just before she runs off to college. Good Luck to the both of you. You can google Krieghoff International. Look at their website for a list of the closest K-gun dealers to you. Be sure to ask if they have a full time gunsmith at the shop. Good Luck to Ya both. break em all Jeff
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She has tried a few low ribs, including a K80. I was not aware of a ladies K gun. She did shoot a K80 and parcours with a “Victoria“ stock put on them. She liked them well enough, but felt any new gun would take some time to get intimate with. K80s are popular here but the dealer just changed which gives me pause, but it will come down to what I learn from the fitter and her experience shooting them. Thanks Jeff
 
#24 ·
El Cid said:
She did shoot a K80 and parcours with a “Victoria“ stock put on them.
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Yep, Krieghoff calls their ladies shotgun the Victoria model. Your daughter is correct. It can take 3-5 thousand rounds down the pipe to get used to it. She may think a new shotgun could work out in about 2 thousand rounds??? So Yes, when ever she makes a change, it will take time to adjust to the change. That goes for any shotgun. Make a change from high rib to low, and a shotgun change. It could take 5 thousand rounds easy, for her to get used to the new shotgun. Your daughter has less than 2 years now to pick a college, and get asked to join a shooting college if she wants to go in that direction??? IMO, you should ask her coach if changing shotguns now would be a good move for her???
Maybe you should take a drive to a different K-gun dealer if you don't have confidence in the closest dealer to you? You can buy a K-gun at any dealer. Once you own the shotgun. Every K-gun dealer has to honor the warranty, and service your shotgun.
I know how you feel about major changes in K-gun dealers. Dupont Krieghoff just let go Leslie Ward, and her husband Tim Ward from Dupont. However John at Pacific Sporting, and Robert at Paxton Arms are still rock solid dealers with the inventory and employee's, knowledge to sell the right shotgun to the right person, and get the shotgun to fit that person. Both owners have been serious shooters most of their lives. You can't beat that kind of knowledge, service and fitting. Good Luck to you and your daughter. break em all jeff
 
#26 ·
When my little girl was 16yo, I took her to Yakima. Mike at Ljutic spent a morning with us fitting her Mono to her. He is an amazing craftsmen. My daughter has been shooting that mono very well for a couple years now. Was the best thing I ever did for her trap shooting. She went from a girl that enjoyed shooting with an average in the 60s to low 70s to breaking a 97 and running 25s consistently in a time frame of only a few shoots. Gun fit is key, I'd have a master craftsmen fit a shotgun to your daughter.
 
#27 ·
El Cid said:
Situation- looking to upgrade my daughter’s o/u in the off-season to a different brand/model… one more custom fit.
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It’s very obvious that you have done considerable research and looked at many brands/configurations before asking here. Therefore, I refuse to be one of those who try to steer you to another brand or other option that you have already eliminated.

That said, here’s my .02 cents FWIW in an attempt to be helpful…. Since you’ve decided to go for a higher end clay gun, both Zoli and Perazzi are great and both have women’s specific models - Bella and Elle respectively. Each with a different aesthetic. Whichever your daughter likes better and/or shoots better is probably the one.

As far as sending measurements off, if you’ll be buying new my strong recommendation would be to see a fitter that works with your decided brand before ordering (assuming your chosen fitter doesn’t work with either brand). Can’t hurt to be fit more than once…. Even better - the BEST? - would be going to the factory in Italy (if that could be in the cards).

If pre-owned is a consideration another out-of-the-box option may be to buy a gun with the specs (barrel, rib, receiver) she likes and have a custom stock made for her. This is the route I chose and am very happy with the result.
 
Discussion starter · #29 ·
45s_Forever said:
It’s very obvious that you have done considerable research and looked at many brands/configurations before asking here. Therefore, I refuse to be one of those who try to steer you to another brand or other option that you have already eliminated.

That said, here’s my .02 cents FWIW in an attempt to be helpful…. Since you’ve decided to go for a higher end clay gun, both Zoli and Perazzi are great and both have women’s specific models - Bella and Elle respectively. Each with a different aesthetic. Whichever your daughter likes better and/or shoots better is probably the one.

As far as sending measurements off, if you’ll be buying new my strong recommendation would be to see a fitter that works with your decided brand before ordering (assuming your chosen fitter doesn’t work with either brand). Can’t hurt to be fit more than once…. Even better - the BEST? - would be going to the factory in Italy (if that could be in the cards).

If pre-owned is a consideration another out-of-the-box option may be to buy a gun with the specs (barrel, rib, receiver) she likes and have a custom stock made for her. This is the route I chose and am very happy with the result.
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Considerable research, yes. Confident that I can believe what I read here and there combined with my level of expertise... no. That's really why I posted. Ask some folks that have done it before. Might learn a few things... and I did. Let me see what the fitter says tomorrow. Maybe you can start with off the shelf while a custom stock is fabricated? I like the idea of a custom stock, but not sure about the $$$ and time. If I ordered a P gun, the custom stock comes with... but the time! BTW, thanks for taking your time as well. Much appreciated.
 
#30 ·
Since it seems like youre dealing with a time constraint my suggestion would be to find a slightly used gun in the model of her choice then go to a stock maker and have a stock made. Waiting on a new Perazzi or another gun with custom dimensions will probably take longer than youd like.

Price offset from buying a slightly used gun compared to new should be enough to cover most of if not all of the stock. You should also be able to leave the stock makers with a bondo stock or a stock in the rough to shoot now (send back to be duplicated or finished later)
 
#33 ·
I think gun fit adjustability is everything as long as you dont play with it evey time a target is lost.
What she has is not bad what does she think ?
I lean towards Krieghoff It sounds like you and hopefully she plans on shooting long term
there are several good choices in the end it is what feels good and shoots well for her .
 
#34 · (Edited)
Just because you are female does not mean you want a ladies gun and done growing does not mean that you are done getting muscle mass and gaining strength. I found ladies guns whippy and way too light. Have her start her day with pushups and arm curls. If she is serious about trap then she will want a serious gun. Also there are a lot more used K80, kolars, etc available than ladies guns.
 
#35 ·
Shouldn’t this discussion be between you and your DAUGHTER😉
Maybe set a budget and goals for her shooting campaign with her. The new gun may only be part of it. A sports psychologist might be invaluable at this point in her life, let alone in her shooting career. And….let her make the final decision in choosing her gun..
This could be a great opportunity to leave your daughter with an important “life’s lesson” she will always remember with her Dad.
With your guidance and coaching, together you and your daughter will make the right choice on the goals, budget, gun choice, etc.
You are so fortunate to have the opportunity to help your daughter be the best that she can be in shooting and in life. Enjoy the ride!!
If you’ve already done or thought about all of these ideas, congratulations. You are a GREAT Dad! 🤩🥳🍻
You are way ahead me and where I was when my kid was sixteen 👍🏻 🤣
 
#36 ·
El Cid said:
Let me see what the fitter says tomorrow.
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So What did the stock fitter say Yesterday???

I did forget to mention to you. That Dupont Krieghoff has a take a K-gun test drive home program. If you quality for their loan/credit. They will let you test drive a Low Rib K-80 of your choice. If you don't like it. They take it back, and send you your backup plan shotgun. Maybe the low rib Parcours barreled K-80? Then you decide which shotgun to buy. Then they sell you the brand new K-80 you liked, or shot the best. Now you must sign a contract with them. So you can't back out of buying the shotgun from them, once you sign the contract. Of course you must sign the contract before they send you out the Demo shotgun you want to try out. They also offer financing of their shotguns as well. This is Dupont's biggest sales ploy/gimmick. I don't know if any other K-gun dealers offer this program? Anyway, just some food for thought. break em all jeff
 
#37 ·
Agree with @Candy B. I've tried my fair share of "ladies" guns as well and they typically are way too light for me.

I had my biggest aha moment when I started shooting a PFS stock. I really enjoyed the time it took to learn the system. And continue to enjoy fine tuning it just for me. The biggest difference was finally getting the cast off I truly needed!

I shoot a TM1 and MX8, so I can relate to your daughters preference for low ribs :)
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
kmf said:
Shouldn’t this discussion be between you and your DAUGHTER😉
Maybe set a budget and goals for her shooting campaign with her. The new gun may only be part of it. A sports psychologist might be invaluable at this point in her life, let alone in her shooting career. And….let her make the final decision in choosing her gun..
This could be a great opportunity to leave your daughter with an important “life’s lesson” she will always remember with her Dad.
With your guidance and coaching, together you and your daughter will make the right choice on the goals, budget, gun choice, etc.
You are so fortunate to have the opportunity to help your daughter be the best that she can be in shooting and in life. Enjoy the ride!!
If you’ve already done or thought about all of these ideas, congratulations. You are a GREAT Dad! 🤩🥳🍻
You are way ahead me and where I was when my kid was sixteen 👍🏻 🤣
Click to expand...
VERY well said and appropriate. Great points and something I have to remind myself daily. She needs me still, but FAR less... and while painful… there is more value letting her figure it out. (Shut up John. She knows she’s “over it”.)
 
Discussion starter · #39 ·
CuriosityKTCat said:
Agree with @Candy B. I've tried my fair share of "ladies" guns as well and they typically are way too light for me.

I had my biggest aha moment when I started shooting a PFS stock. I really enjoyed the time it took to learn the system. And continue to enjoy fine tuning it just for me. The biggest difference was finally getting the cast off I truly needed!

I shoot a TM1 and MX8, so I can relate to your daughters preference for low ribs :)
Click to expand...
Thank you Cat!
 
Discussion starter · #40 ·
Pull & Mark said:
So What did the stock fitter say Yesterday???

I did forget to mention to you. That Dupont Krieghoff has a take a K-gun test drive home program. If you quality for their loan/credit. They will let you test drive a Low Rib K-80 of your choice. If you don't like it. They take it back, and send you your backup plan shotgun. Maybe the low rib Parcours barreled K-80? Then you decide which shotgun to buy. Then they sell you the brand new K-80 you liked, or shot the best. Now you must sign a contract with them. So you can't back out of buying the shotgun from them, once you sign the contract. Of course you must sign the contract before they send you out the Demo shotgun you want to try out. They also offer financing of their shotguns as well. This is Dupont's biggest sales ploy/gimmick. I don't know if any other K-gun dealers offer this program? Anyway, just some food for thought. break em all jeff
Click to expand...
Interesting. He started by check eye dominance etc... but decided to take a look at her current gun first instead of diving into a try gun. Did all the check of mount and eye position ad nauseam. Basically he said he would not change a thing... "but let's look at the pattern board". 10 shots at the board, 10 at sheet and then 60 at trap. I don't think she missed more than two birds in total (if that). Summary: Don't change a thing. If you do, it's a cosmetic preference because we can't fit a gun to her better that what I am seeing.
 
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El Cid
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