Browning's new shotgun designed for women

Shooting Industry, Nov, 1994 by Lisa Parsons

There are approximately 1.7 million women currently participating in shotgun sports according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. They're getting into skeet, trap and most of all, sporting clays.

The popularity of sporting clays can be seen in the huge number of women competing in the Women's Shooting Sports Foundation's Ladies Charity Classic Events held around the country. In 1993 there were 1,417 women participating in 16 events and half-way through '94, approximately 700 women engaged in the WSSF sponsored competitions.

Browning Arms Company was one of the forerunners in support of women in the: shooting sports and demonstrated its commitment as early as 1988 when it became a corporate sponsor of the WSSF Ladies Charity Classic Events. As Browning and WSSF watched the number of women shooters grow, they came to the decision that it was time for an off-the-shelf shotgun made exclusively for women.

Sue King, executive director of WSSF, began surveying shooters at WSSF events to determine what they felt would make the ultimate shotgun for women. After compiling the results of her informal survey, she assisted Browning's research and development team in creating the WSSF Sporting Clays Shotgun based on Browning's 425 Sporting Clays Shotgun.

Sue King received the prototype gun in September of 1993 and since then she has seized every opportunity possible to show off the gun and allow shooters to fire the gun and comment on its performance.

She reports that the response has been very favorable both from men and women.

The WSSF Sporting Clays Shotgun may be based on the Browning 425, but it is not simply a chopped-down version. Great efforts were made to alter the stock dimensions so that it would be more comfortable for women to shoot and would fit a woman's body. The over-and-under shotgun currently comes in 12 gauge only, with a 28-inch barrel and weighs in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces. The length of pull is 14 1/4 inches which is comparable to that found on any shotgun. Another special standard feature will be Browning's Invector Plus interchangeable choke tubes.

The width of the forend and buttstock has been slightly reduced, as well as the small of the stock. These slimmer dimensions should make the shotgun fit women better and allow them to better control recoil. The 3/8-inch cast at the heel will aid in eye alignment and decrease the chances of a bruised jaw. The top lever and take-down lever are also designed for ease of operation.

A final benefit of the WSSF gun's design is a lack of muzzle jump. The straight design of the stock with no drop at the heel and a pitch of zero combine to make the gun recoil straight back without any muzzle jump. Any woman who has walked away from a day at the range with a large bruise on her cheek will appreciate this feature.

The WSSF shotgun sports a painted teal finish with the WSSF logo in silver and silver trim. This unique color will certainly get attention on the range and is a real mark of distinction from other "ordinary" guns. In the future, however, the WSSF gun may be made in standard wood for those desiring a more traditional look.

The WSSF Sporting Clays Shotgun is expected to be priced competitively with other quality shotguns. "The special touches on the WSSF gun make it cost a little more -- not a lot," said Browning's Firearms Production Manager Rich Bauter. "It's not priced to gouge the ladies."

He added that Browning, as a company, is very committed to increasing the number of women involved in the shooting sports. "Women have been ignored in the sport. If more women were shooting, more men and kids would be apt to shoot," Bauter said. "This will be a small volume item, but we're committed to this niche market because it's worth it."

The WSSF Sporting Clays Shotgun will be featured in Browning's 1995 catalog and will be on display in January at the 1995 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

As more and more ladies join the shooting sports, let's hope other firearms manufacturers recognize their importance in the industry and build more guns to cater to their special needs.

SPECIFICATIONS
WSSF Sporting Clays
Browning O/U Shotgun

Gauge:                12
Choke Tubes:          Invector Plus
Weight:               7 1/2 pounds
Length of Pull:       14 1/4 pounds
Chamber:              2 3/4 inches
Barrel Length:        28 inches
Overall Length:       45 1/2 inches
Drop at Comb:         1 1/2 inches
Drop at Heel:         1 1/2 inches

Browning Arms Co.
One Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050
(801) 876-2711