Kids starter shotgun

[kurtb]

I'm looking for any input about what would be a good starter shotgun for my kid that wants to go shoot clays with Dad. I am curious if there are any decent "small" shotguns out there that are made for kids that anyone has actually used. I found a list at http://www.ocshooters.com/Gen/kidshooting/youth-firearms.htm, but would be interested in any input or possibly buying one from someone that no longer has use for their used one.

Thanks

 

[Ma$$hole]

Are you looking for a single shot or a pump? Dicks Sporting Goods sold a very reasonable single shot Rossi that had exchangable barrels. You could basically swap between a 20Ga., .410, and .22lr (I believe). They also do have quite a few youth shotguns depending on where you go. I hate to volunteer anyone but TrophyGirl knows quite a bit about youth shotguns if I recall correctly.

 

[Arto]

I had good luck with the 20gauge Remington 870 youth model with my own kid & the scouts & Women on Target. He could shoot better than me with it. It a Remington 870 & made in the USA - what could be better?!
[It cost ~$250 from the club FFL a few years back.]
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/youth/

 

[Palladin]

I still have my Ithaca Mod 66 Super Sling 20ga, single shot, lever-break.

Got it for my 12th birthday....I'll give it to my son on his 12th birthday

 

[jshooter]

I am not sure if they still have the same deal but Mossberg has a Bantam model 500. It is pretty much youth sized but the gun a friend bought for his son had additional spacers for length of pull adjustment. It also had a shorter barrel as well as a different fore end. The neat thing that Mossberg did was include a certificate to buy, at a very reduced cost, an adult stock when the kid outgrew the youth set. The gun I saw was a camo model 20 gauge, it had screw in chokes as well.

 

[dcmdon]

I think they make a Rem 1100 youth in 20ga.

If thats made, thats what I'd guess. You can buy some pretty light 20 ga loads, the gas system soaks up a lot of recoil. And when the kid is ready for it, you can get fairly hot loads that can take down anything that flys or walks in North America.

Don

 

[icyclefar]

My son is shooting a Beretta 3901 Target RL, it's a 12 ga and shoots softer than anything else I've tried, even 20 ga guns. It's not cheap, but it is outstanding! It is available with either a 26" or 28" screw choke barrel, the stock has an adjustable comb, and comes with a couple of spacers which allow it to grow with him. Add a T&S shell catcher and a Briley bolt closer and you are shooting in style! I really can't say enough good things about it!

Prior to buying the Beretta I bought one of the Rossi Youth 20's, it's anything but gentle and does not have a screw choke barrel. If you want to beat the kid up a bit, I'll sell it to you. My son also tried a Browning BPS 20 GA, it worked out well enough but it kicks more than the Beretta and was a pump gun which put him at a disadvantage shooting skeet doubles.

With a nice semi like the Beretta, there is really no reason not to buy a 12GA.

If you are on the South Shore, I would be happy to let you try out the Beretta anytime.

 

[Martlet]

How old? I started on a single shot 20 ga. featherweight.

 

[Manomet]

I think we need to start with how big is your son? They make pants in a wide variety of sizes for a reason.

 

[fbirdquik6]

I got my 20gauge H&R Topper model for my 9th birthday, and still love it to this day.

 

[dcmdon]

Icyclefar,

Does the beretta recoil less than even an 1100?? If so, thats great information.

Don

 

[icyclefar]

Icyclefar,

Does the beretta recoil less than even an 1100?? If so, thats great information.

Don

My only direct experience would be comparing my adult Beretta 391 to a Remington 1100, I'd pick the Beretta as the softer shooter any day.

The youth 3901 is a design generation older than the 391's (same receiver and action as Beretta's other 390's) and is only SLIGHTLY heavier in kick.

Hope that helps

 

[kurtb]

I think we need to start with how big is your son? They make pants in a wide variety of sizes for a reason.

Actually - its my daughter that I am talking about. She is the size of an average 10 year old girl I guess

 

[bambame2]

I bought one of the Rossie kits in 410 22 for when my daughter gets older. Shes 2 now it will sit in the safe for a while. I bought it the week she was born. I tested it ha it is a nice little shooter I would not hesitate to buy the 20ga. Hmm Maybe I need to go to dicks to day.

 

[trophygrl]

mossberg makes affordable and durable youth shotguns-- i have three of them.

they are all super bantam 500 20ga-- the stock actually has a spacer so you can adjust from 13 LOP to 12 and vice-versa.

if you buy one new, they come with a coupon for a full sized stock for when your son or daughter outgrows the youth stock.

the gun itself imo, has pretty low recoil.... they are super comfortable for small framed shooters