Old man needs low recoil shotgun...HELP

[IronSpirit]

My Dad isn't exactly an old man...he's 54 and still works out like a fiend, unfortunately he has a right shoulder that he's getting surgery on soon and 3 bad discs in his back...
My 12 gauge Stoeger (pump) with light loads hurts his shoulder too bad for him to feel comfortable hunting with it. He used to hunt a lot and wants to get back into it but has apprehensions hunting small game because he doesn't want to shoot a shotgun and hurt his shoulder. I want to hunt with my Dad! So for Christmas (or maybe sooner) I want to buy him a shotgun he can hunt small game/ducks with and not worry about extreme pain in his shoulder. Looking for recommendations on what gun will have the least recoil...
As always, I appreciate any responses!

[ACEarcher]

Maybe a 20ga. Also might want to consider a auto-loading shotgun. It'll help reduce some of the recoil.

[IronSpirit]

I figured that much...I just want to make sure I buy a good gun for him. Money isn't a huge issue, but I don't want to buy him a gun and embarass him if it hurts him to shoot it...
Looking at Franchi's 20 GA autos right now, anybody have experience with them?

[swab1985]

The franchi's are alright, I personally didnt like the design, it felt like shooting a big rubberband, with the way the whole barrell moves on that big spring to eject the shell, they are also VERY light, so might kick a lil more than other autoloaders....I would go with a 20ga chambered in three inch, should be great for upland fowl, and shoud also knock down ducks as long as they arent to far away

[Setterman]

Go with a gas-operated semi-auto, not a recoil-operated semi-auto. Gas-auto's like Remington, Beretta & Browning Gold's, Winchester are what you would be looking for. I think Franchi makes both types (gas and recoil) still. Some of these makers also make them in a 20 ga. if you want to go for even lighter weight and recoil. If you reloaded your own shells you could probably keep the same gun you have and simply downgrade your shells depending on the type of game you're hunting.

[salt-hay]

A frind just picked up a bennelli M-2 in 20 gauge. Shoulders nice and a soft shooter. Killed a load of ducks with it so far too.........nice gun IMHO

[WoodsHunter]

Remington 1100LT 20gauge, my son at age 14 shot it also my wife, no problem with recoil. Auto loader is the way to go ! ! :thup:

[Perazzi]

I would also look into a recoil system.Couple of differant types out there.They are used on trap guns a lot and they do work.I shot a Baretta auto with one and it was really soft on the shoulder.

[Darrin Greene]

you need an auto loader with a recoil reduction system in the stock (aftermarket) typically.

ducks are going to be very hard as you need relatively hard hitting loads but he may get away with some of the heavi hot type of stuff

good luck with it, hope it works out