Ladies first

It’s great to see more women take up shooting sports and I love that the market is now large enough for gun manufacturers to respond with products specifically designed with women in mind. Prior to writing this article I was always a firm believer that labelling guns as being ‘for women’ was simply a marketing ploy. I have now had that opinion firmly challenged. I would be perfectly happy to recommend any of these guns to other shooters.

As a general rule of thumb, guns that are designed for women typically feature shorter stocks, reduced weight and ergonomic designs that are tailored with a woman’s physique in mind. While you can always get stocks adjusted or custom-made – and I am a huge advocate of this – it can be a real advantage to have something that fits you pretty well straight off the shelf.

BEST GAME GUN FOR WOMEN 
Krieghoff K-20 Victoria
I’m a big fan of Krieghoff. I love the company’s attention to detail and the finish of its guns is really something. The Krieghoff K-20 Victoria is no exception. It is a high-end over-and-under 20-bore shotgun tailored for women who value performance and good looks in their firearms.

Krieghoff’s K-20 Victoria is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and performance. It features a scaled-down action compared with its K-80 counterpart, making it more suitable for smaller-framed shooters. The gun’s stock dimensions are tailored specifically for women, ensuring a comfortable fit and improved shooting experience.

The K-20 Victoria’s lightweight design – typically around 6.5lb – makes it easy to handle if you’re out in the field. Its balance lies beautifully over the hinge point of the action and it is carefully engineered to provide excellent manoeuvrability. While the higher price may deter some, it’s definitely an investment you won’t be disappointed with.

Strengths
– Exceptional build quality and attention to detail
– Splendid finish
– Customisable to fit individual lady shooters
– Lightweight design makes for ease of handling
– Superior balance and pointability

Weaknesses
– High price may be prohibitive for some shooters
– Limited availability
alanrhone.com

BEST VALUE GUN FOR WOMEN 
ATA SP Ladies Black Universal
The ATA SP Ladies Black Universal is a brilliant option for those who are just starting out or want great value on a tighter budget. At £699.99 I don’t think anyone can argue that this 12-bore offers exactly that.

This gun is part of the SP range, which has garnered positive reviews for its performance and value. The gun weighs around 6.2lb, which makes it easy to carry. I personally prefer a heavier gun due to its mitigating effect on recoil, but that isn’t true for everyone. For those who are looking for an entry-level or mid-range shotgun that doesn’t break the bank, the ATA SP Ladies Black Universal is an excellent choice.

Strengths
– Affordable, making it accessible to a wide range of women shooters
– Comfortable handling with a well-balanced design
– Multichoked

Weaknesses
– Not as refined as higher-priced equivalents, which is to be expected
– Quite harsh chequering
sportsmanguncentre.co.uk

BEST COMPETITION GUN FOR WOMEN
Caesar Guerini Julia Syren Sporting
The Caesar Guerini Julia Syren Sporting is arguably the most aesthetically pleasing of these guns. It boasts a case colour hardened finish and a sideplate action, blending exquisite Italian craftsmanship with features tailored for female shooters, such as an adjustable Monte Carlo stock.

The Julia Syren Sporting model is designed to cater to the specific needs of women without compromising on aesthetics or performance. The gun has a shortened length of pull of 13.9in, and the stock features drops at the nose and heel of 35mm and 45mm. The Julia is available with 28in and 30in barrels, which are both high performance and therefore perfectly suitable for use with steel shot.

Strengths
– Intricate and elegant design
– Excellent balance and handling characteristics
– Customisable stock options to achieve a great fit
– Competition-spec gun suitable for various shooting disciplines

Weaknesses
– Mid to higher price point compared with entry-level options
caesargueriniuk.com

BEST ALL-ROUND GUN FOR WOMEN
Beretta Silver Pigeon 1 Sporting Vittoria
No list would be complete without a Beretta, and the Silver Pigeon 1 Sporting Vittoria is a versatile option. It is also probably the best all-rounder for those on a budget.

The Silver Pigeon 1 Sporting Vittoria is designed to offer women the option of a solid gun without the high price. The gun features a Monte Carlo stock with dimensions tailored for female shooters, including a shorter length of pull and adjusted cast and pitch, making it comfortable to shoot.

Strengths
– Barrels in 32in, 30in and 28in
– Smaller pistol grip for a more comfortable position
– Great for both clay and game
– Really well balanced

Weaknesses 
– Finish isn’t as good as some
gmk.co.uk

BEST PREMIUM GUN FOR WOMEN
Perazzi High Tech Elle
Full disclosure: I’m a little biased towards Perazzi. I’ve shot Perazzi for the past eight years and it’s a brand I love fiercely. For me, the Perazzi High Tech Elle represents the pinnacle of competition-grade shotguns designed for women. It’s a gun that will see you throughout your shooting career, should you want it to do so.

The Elle is a testament to the company’s commitment to producing world-class competition shotguns. This model has been specifically tailored for female shooters, featuring stock dimensions and balance points that are optimised for women’s physiques.

Strengths
– Designed with a wider action to aid recoil management
– Exceptional performance suitable for high-level competition and game shooting
– Fantastic wood-to-metal finish
– Excellent balance

Weaknesses
– High price
sportsmanguncentre.co.uk