Dear Grim, Larry & Stacykins:
Hmmmm...I have little meat and no fat and thin, radiation compromised skin on my shoulder - they removed the right pectoral and I'm right handed and right eye dominate. That makes the choice ever so much more complicated. That recoil reducer sounds nice - but too expensive. I'll check into the 22s. Are you sure that can handle a coyote?
The picture of the rifle shows a pump - but from what you say it doesn't need to pump between shots???
150.00 is definitely in the price range. Hurray!!!!
NO, in Illinois you must have a FOID (firearm Owner IDentification) card to have a weapon in your possesion or on your proterty even if it's hidden in a locked safe in a locked closet and broken down. (Yeah I Know...Goofy). You may not under any circumstances WEAR it. We have 14+ acres surrounded by forest preserve. If the police came to the property for any reason (and they have gotten lost and asked how to get to somewhere nearby unaccessable from our property by vehicle) they would feel unsafe if anyone was wearing a weapon and so that is the law here. I understand, I just don't agree with it.
I'm not concerned with "banging the gun on walls & doors in the house", if I have to use it, that will be the least of my clean-up. However it does have to be light. My late husband's 45 "Dirty Harry" handgun, which I used to protect myself (unfortunately he was killed) inside our home, say 30 years ago, made a big mess as I missed twice - but in my defense, I'm not a proffessional police officer, and the first shot was with my left hand as we were in close quarters, my husband, hit in the head, had fallen over me, I grabbed our hidden gun, there was blood in my eyes and he was armed, the intruder was running after the 1st shot and I got him on the 3rd. (short version of long story).
That of course, was when I was a young healthy strong woman. I am much older now and not as strong. My new husband is a passifist and cannot even butcher our chickens. This is why I am asking for advice. I need to get the right weapon on the first purchase. A salesman will be working on comission. You "friends" out there know coyotes, weapons, and have no ulterior motives other than the good will in your hearts to assist a fellow human being with your knowlege.
Thank you in advance