If you spend enough time behind the trigger of any platform, whether it be a rifle, pistol or shotgun, you will learn to identify fairly quickly whether a particular firearm is going to be a poor fit. Factors leading to a poor fit may include a too long/short length of pull, an aggressive amount of drop, or a poorly balanced shotgun. When it comes to shotguns, especially when choosing one for trap, skeet and sporting clays, a good fit is key. Even with proper fit being so important, it isn’t necessary to run out and have your measurements taken to have someone build you a fully custom scattergun. Akkar USA proves this with its Ladies Country Over-Under 20-gauge shotgun.
Instead of just scaling down a preexisting model or rebranding a youth model shotgun, Akkar's designers carefully examined the average differences between men and women. They incorporated what they discovered into the development of the Ladies Country. It is important to remember that the following decisions were based on averages, with outliers fully expected. Since there is no such thing as "one size fits all" sizing with firearms of any platform, the goal here was to create a shotgun that fit as many women as possible, providing them with a firearm ready to use right out of the box without requiring customization. Women generally have smaller frames than their male counterparts, so they require a shorter length of pull. A gun's length of pull is the distance from the center of the trigger to the center portion of the buttstock. While this measurement averages around 14”-14.5”, Akkar's Ladies Country comes in at 13.5”. Not only does this provide a better fit, but it also allows you to obtain a better form and ease of seating the buttstock into the pocket of your shoulder. This model also features an accommodating ½” cast-off, which is the distance from the buttstock to the centerline of the barrel. This allows for a more easy and natural alignment of your dominant eye with the gun’s rib and front bead. By putting thought and care into this shotgun’s design, the result was one that fit well, swung intuitively, was more controllable, and delivered consistently repeatable performance shot after shot.
While right at home dusting clays at the range, the Ladies Country is also a perfect fit for upland bird hunts. Weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz. with a barrel length of 28”, this gun is well-balanced and doesn’t wear you out carrying it afield. On the flip side, ample weight was retained, which helps mitigate felt recoil during high-volume hunts and shooting sessions. Another feature that assists with recoil management and provides a denser, more even pattern is the lengthened forcing cones in the gun’s barrels. Sitting atop the uppermost barrel is a 7 mm flat rib which draws the shooter’s eye like a laser beam towards the business end of the gun. All controls on this shotgun, including the tang-mounted safety and barrel selector, are easily manipulated, regardless of whether you are wearing gloves. One last design feature is the inclusion of Akkar’s OxyCap coating on the gun’s beautifully engraved receiver. Aside from further enhancing the gun's visual appeal, it does wonders at deflecting the adverse effects of wear, inclement weather, and other ways we all find to inadvertently put our firearms through the wringer.
A shotgun’s ejection system isn’t likely to be at the top of your list for things to consider when researching which gun to purchase, or at least this is often the case with people new to the sport. Understanding how these two methods works is simple: When cracking open your shotgun, extractors will require you to essentially “pluck” the shells out of the chamber, while ejector systems will automatically “fling” the shells from the chamber the moment you open the action. Most manufacturers offer only one version or the other in their product lineup, but Akkar gives you the choice, as the Ladies Country features a convertible ejection system. For faster-paced activities, most opt for the ejection system, while slower, more casual outings are better suited to the extractor alternative. Continuing on the theme of choices, the five extended Mobil-style chokes that come with this gun include the following options: Cylinder (CYL), Skeet (SK), Improved Cylinder (IC), Modified (MOD), and Improved Modified (IMOD). These chokes are easy to swap in and out and provide the flexibility for catering to various shot distances and pattern densities required for both shooting clays and bird hunting.
When it came time to put the Ladies Country 20‑gauge through its paces, I selected a variety of target and game loads to see how it behaved across the spectrum. As expected, the Hevi‑Bismuth Upland 1‑oz. #5s produced the most noticeable recoil yet was easily managed and by no means rough on the shoulder. This was undoubtedly a reflection of the gun’s fit and design. Next up was Remington American Clay & Field 7/8-oz. #8s, which we chose as the multi-purpose option for tests, as it could be used on both clays and a variety of upland game birds. Shot after shot, the gun moved with ease, swinging upwards toward the orange disc hurtling through the sky like it was an extension of my arm. Last up was our target load option. Federal Top Gun 7/8‑oz. #8s produced the lightest amount of felt recoil, making longer range sessions easy to manage. And, unsurprisingly, the gun handled just as reliably with these as with the previous two options tested … to the point that, if it weren't for the below-freezing temperatures and increasing wind, I would have almost forgotten I was testing gear because I was simply having a blast breaking clays. There’s nothing more aggravating than when there’s a particular ammo option that a gun simply refuses to run smoothly. This was not an issue during our range session. The chamber on this 20 gauge is rated for both 2 ¾” and 3” shells, allowing flexibility should you wish to run larger magnum loads while hunting for geese, turkey or other wild game.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time behind the trigger of this shotgun. Closing in on two months from having some work done on my shoulder, I was itching to get back to business and send some lead flying downrange. A poor-fitting shotgun would have ended with me spending the afternoon with an ice pack on my shoulder and a disapproving look from my doctor, no doubt. Luckily, I did not have to worry about this one bit. The Ladies Country just fit, plain and simple. I didn't have to strain, stretch, or fuss to get the gun seated properly or to obtain proper cheek placement or sight alignment. The easiest way I can describe the feeling of “it just fit” is to liken it to your favorite pair of jeans or shoes that you wear more than anything else in your closet. You go back to it time and time again because they are comfortable and you don't have to take them to a tailor for alterations or a cobbler for special inserts. They simply fit, and the same thing goes for the Ladies Country shotgun, now a go-to option in my overly crowded closet—I mean, gun safe! For more information on the Ladies Country and Akkar USA's entire lineup, please visit akkarusa.com.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Akkar
Model: Ladies Country 20
Item Number: 122003
Gauge: 20 gauge
Chamber Length: 2¾” – 3”
Color of Metal: Oxy Cap High Glossy Engraved
Barrel Metal Finish: High Glossy
Barrel Length: 28”
Weight: 6 lbs. 10 oz.
Overall Length: 44”
Drop at Heel: 2 7/16”
Drop at Nose Comb: 1 ½”
Drop at Monte Carlo: 1 5/8”
Drop at Toe: 7½”
Length of Pull: 13½”
Cast Off at Heel: ½”
Cast Off at Toe: ½”
Chokes Included: CYL, SK, IC, MOD, IMOD
MSRP: $1,729.00
