Okay, it’s not exactly little.
It’s a Remington 870 Magnum….
…Special Purpose.
Fully rifled 12-gauge shotgun.
A friend picked it out for me. I wasn’t sure I could handle a 12-gauge, but he thought I could. My friend always thinks I can do things I think I can’t do and tries to talk me into trying. Most of the time, he’s right. He thinks I need to learn to weedeat and mow, too. On our second date, he made me learn how to put air in my tires. STOP THE MADNESS.
Last night he showed me how to use the shotgun and took me out to shoot it. And I handled it just fine! The kick wasn’t too bad, and it didn’t hurt my shoulder. It’s heavy, but not too heavy for me. It’s really pretty, I have to say, and it could definitely bring down a deer.
In some states, you aren’t allowed to hunt deer with deer rifles. I’ve mentioned this several times to people in West Virginia in the past week and this information is met with blank stares, gasps, pity, and some disbelief. And yet it’s true! Because the land is flatter. Here in West Virginia, a rifle shot isn’t going to go too far because there are hills everywhere you look. Apparently, this rifle ban on deer hunting is true of a number of other states, too! And so, they use shotguns with slugs.
My father hunted, though he’d stopped by the time my sister and I were born. He took my brothers (who were much older than me) hunting. But he never took me or my sister hunting. Times have changed, though, and more women hunt than used to, and I want to be one of them, not just sitting here waiting for Ross to show up with some venison. Why shouldn’t I get it for myself? I’m going to try. And I can’t wait to show Ross this shotgun when he gets back from sea!
Also, by the way, I recently invested in a small handgun for self-protection.
It’s a tiny Ruger LCP–a purple one. Maybe I need some purple stilettos to go with it? Just kidding!
You can order Chickens in the Road: An Adventure in Ordinary Splendor now!
falnfenix says:
Elsie Pea! they’re neat little pistols.
also, nice shotty.
Glenda – don’t get a Judge. get something that’s actually useful in defense situations.
On November 5, 2013 at 10:54 am
liberalhippiequeen says:
I have venison stew beef cooking away in the crockpot as we speak. Self defense is so important esp. for women in our society. I shoot better with a revolver. I do not recommend “the judge”, read the reviews. For most women, a 32 or 38 is the way to go…. Don’t forget to teach Morgan how to use them !
On November 5, 2013 at 11:00 am
falnfenix says:
liberalhippiequeen – i disagree with the .32 or .38 recommendation. 😉 most of the women i’ve introduced to firearms go on to purchase 9mm or .45 and one purchased a .40 earlier this year. the vast majority who are introduced properly end up with semiautos, as well.
.32 is not good in winter defense situations, as the projectile will not penetrate thick winter clothing. .380 has similar difficulty with winter clothing, though it does have higher velocity than .32 and will at least do more damage.
i carry a .380 in the summer and a 9mm in the winter. i would carry my 1911 but that sucker’s a bit big for my petite frame.
On November 5, 2013 at 11:22 am
EMarie says:
Your man in Ohio is good for you, isn’t he. He’s opening up your world even more. I’m happy for you.
On November 5, 2013 at 11:31 am
OregonJoy says:
I never knew there were states that only allowed shotguns for hunting deer or elk. I am a native Oregonian…killed my first deer when I was 10. My mom and her sisters, and several girl cousins all were hunters, along with all the guys in our families.
Actually, I never gave a thought growing up it was unusual for me to be out hunting, since so many of my girlfriends hunted, too. Our family always foraged in the woods, too. When hunting, we’d get sacks of wild elderberries, huckleberries (both red and blue), bouquets of autumn leaves, mushrooms, and lots of greens, herbs, roots, and bark. God provides riches in the forests for us to use for food and medicines.
On November 5, 2013 at 11:56 am
EMarie says:
Oooops…I just saw that I forgot my question mark following the first sentence. :no: :bugeyed:
On November 5, 2013 at 12:20 pm
CarrieJ says:
Good for you!! I am learning how to shoot an AR this weekend for future hunting endeavors (hopefully). I’m still on the fence about hunting, but I’m working my way there. I also have a Glock G30 .45 for protection. I love that little gun….
On November 5, 2013 at 12:37 pm
Imperious Fig says:
Good for you! I never picked up a gun till I moved to WV. I enjoy hunting now and venison is our red meat for the winter. (and there is NO SHORTAGE of does in our area!)
On November 5, 2013 at 12:52 pm
mds9 says:
Purple ? 🙂
On November 5, 2013 at 12:57 pm
enjay says:
I favor 9mm and .45 for personal protection. I pocket carry an LC9 that is very much like the LCP, but the LC series aren’t weapons I’d personally recommend unless you’re going to do a lot of regular training with it, even more than the usual training one must do to develop and maintain their skillset. They have a long trigger pull and I find them to have very snappy recoil which translates into time lost returning to target after firing. Mix fear and adrenalin into that and it could be difficult to be accurate when you really need it. My preference is for my springfield xd9sc with a 15 round mag in my crossbreed supertuck holster or my 1911 in it’s crossbreed holster. As for the 870, Love it! I have one and really like it, although mine is the plain jane walnut and not the snazzy laminate stock that yours has. My very favorite rifles are the old military rifles, many can be had very cheaply and they are fun to fire. Love my garand, really enjoy my mosin nagant (my family has a whole passal of these, they’re cheap to buy and even cheaper to feed), and I will never part with my m1 carbine.
On November 5, 2013 at 3:01 pm
annabel52 says:
I think camo stilettos would be the way to go. Don’t want them to see you coming!!
On November 5, 2013 at 3:01 pm
bonita says:
Fashion forward pistol packin’ mamas often coordinate pistols and chore boots. Stilettos dig into the mud and slop and make you vulnerable for gopher holes.:) It’s possible to get cammo in a variety of fashion (!) colors.
BTW, The first time I held a hunting rifle, I was surprised at how seductive it was.
On November 5, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Leck Kill Farm says:
I learned something knew today, I didn’t know people hunted deer with shotguns. (I live in PA)
If you haven’t already seen it, you might like these posts about butchering venison –
https://girlsguidetobutter.com/2010/12/home-deer-butchering-101/
On November 5, 2013 at 3:48 pm
margiesbooboo says:
That is a pretty shotgun! I’ve been buying guns also. I love target practice. My judge revolver uses the same ammo as my shotgun. I think my ruger pistol is my fav, I put a lazer on it. Even have my dads old sat night special oiled up & ready to go. I’d like to get a rifle with a nice scope. Did that one come with the scope? Wait, isn’t that a rifle not a shotgun? So much to learn. 🙂
On November 5, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
It’s a rifled shotgun. Yes, the scope came with it.
On November 5, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Claudia W says:
Oh you ladies make me ashamed of myself! I do lead a sheltered life. The only gun I ever knew was a 410, that my dad has “somewhere” to shoot rattlesnakes at our cabin. Which I can never remember ever being used!
I have a little ruger replica that shoots BB’s with a Co2 cartridge. That was real fun shooting an old mattress in the back yard until someone moved into the house in back of us. Geez!
On November 5, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Mandys says:
I know absolutely nothing about guns so all this gun talk is a foreign language to me. But I’m glad you are doing something to be able to protect yourself and try out hunting!
I’ve always felt if I lived in an area where you could hunt I’d want to learn, I’d always feel much better with that than buying supermarket meat.
On November 5, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Country Blossom says:
You have a beautiful shotgun! I love the wood graining. So pretty!
On November 6, 2013 at 2:55 am
RosieJo says:
Hubby went to the Gun Show this past weekend and called me several times about the little guns small enough to carry in my little purse. If I had to blow a hole in the bottom of my little Dooney, I’d be supermad, but probably safer for it. Still have mixed emotions so I know I’m not ready, yet.
On November 6, 2013 at 6:20 am
The High Altitude Tea Duchess says:
Many times, women will look at .32’s or .38’s because they are lighter, but that also means they have more kick and are harder to control. I prefer a Glock 9mm. My hands do not do so well with revolvers. They are tough for me to cock. I recommend taking a GOOD NRA approved gun safety class and not relying on friend or family tutelage when it comes to gun safety unless they are someone who handles guns professionally. I think any liberal reporter against the 2nd amendment should have to take a gun class so they know what they are talking about. So many get everything wrong. Anyway.
Also, ladies, I highly recommend taking a self defense course that is serious about what is taught and actually teaches you situational awareness and how to properly respond to a threat but not one that is a mini Masad course.
Good on you, Suzanne.
One more thing, ladies, firing your gun in your purse can set it on fire and also may burn your hand…if you can find your gun in your purse. I recommend getting a body holster and using that instead.
On November 6, 2013 at 7:24 am
WvSky says:
Of all the issues in the world, NONE are as passionate as “the right weapon and the right ammo. The Internet has literally MILLIONS of posts on the subject. Get two men in a room talking about the subject and you’ll get an argument. Get 50 men and you’ll have a riot. The right weapon is the one you have with you when you need it. Some people dont mind carrying a heavy weapon, while others (like myself) want the smallest, lightest weapon possible.
Fact of the matter is that in your entire lifetime, you will probably NEVER shoot a weapon for self protection. :no: But if you do, even a 22 Short fired 5 or 6 times will either kill or at least scare the person off. Most people dont like to get shot at with a pellet gun, much less anything more powerful.
On November 6, 2013 at 10:09 am
razzintaz says:
My daughter saw this post and said,”Pretty gun! Can I have one like it? I even like the grip!”
Uh, not yet sweetie! Gorgeous gun Suzanne! Wish mine was that pretty!
On November 6, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Cheryl LeMay says:
I know absolutely nothing about guns, but I wish I did. Not for self protection but to kill the varmints like raccoons and possums that come around. I have never even shot a BB gun. How pathetic is that? Hubby bought a pellet gun for me but I haven’t touched it. I’m actually afraid of guns. So you have me envious and impressed. I hope you get a deer or two.
On November 6, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Cousin Mark says:
In recent years there has been programs to interest women to outdoor sports especially hunting and fishing. I would suggest starting out target shooting under in teaching of a skilled marksman. Many members of my family hunted and we have my Great Grandmother’s Marlin .22 squirrel gun she used to bag squirrels without blowing them up with a shot gun.
GEORGIA the GREAT WHITE HUNTER TRUE STORY BAGGING GAME
My grandfather Carl, father Robert, and GEORGIA went squirrel hunting on our Stringtown farm about 2 miles from Stringtown Rising. Early in the morning they split up to hunt three different spots in the woods with GEORGIA receiving the worst hunting spot. All morning long Carl and Robert kept hearing BANG,BANG , Bang from the bad spot and they hardly saw any game.
At noon Carl and Robert came into the camp with little to show for their efforts to find that GEORGIA had bagged her limit of 6 squirrels and had lunch ready. So Go Girls you can do it.
On November 7, 2013 at 4:24 pm
JudyT says:
Thanks Cousin Mark for the encouragement and the awesome story. I told my husband that next year I want to go deer hunting with him, he was pretty excited that I would want to do that.
On December 9, 2013 at 8:35 pm