Seeking Youth Shotgun Advice

[CouesPursuit]

My cousin turned 12 years old today, he has been saving $ like a mad little man trying to get a shotgun so he can go hunt with me. One of the most exciting things in the hunt world I have experienced to date!

 

If anyone has a lead on a quality, affordable shotgun that he won't grow out of right away, I would greatly appreciate any insight!

 

I'm looking for personal experience with specific models and/or leads on purchasing a used shotgun to fit his needs.

 

My current plan is to see if he can handle my 12 Ga Remington 870 Supermag on the dove opener on Sunday, he has been using my single shot .410 and connected on a few dove last year.

The 870 would last him a lifetime, is extremely versatile and he is at a point he could afford one from Wal-mart tomorrow.

 

 

Thanks!

[cramerhunts]

I bought my daughter a Mossberg 20 gauge 500 youth.She was 11 when I bought it and shoots lights out with it. When the time comes to get something bigger you can send in for the adult stock for it for 1/2 price. So far the gun has been flawless and for the price it can't be beat IMO.

[stanley]

Can't go wrong with a Remington 870, IMO!

 

Good luck!

 

S.

 

[Guest akaspecials]

If the 870 fits him it's a great shotgun! When I was younger they didn’t fit me though, so I got a cheap single shot 20 gauge. You can find them for like 75 bucks last time I checked. All the gun stores around PHX seem to have a hard time moving shotguns. Especially those single shots, so they are cheap!

 

When he gets bigger he can get exactly what he wants. Also keep in mind if he wants to shoot any waterfowl, make sure the gun can except at least 3 inch shells.

[CouesPursuit]

If the 870 fits him it's a great shotgun! When I was younger they didn’t fit me though, so I got a cheap single shot 20 gauge. You can find them for like 75 bucks last time I checked. All the gun stores around PHX seem to have a hard time moving shotguns. Especially those single shots, so they are cheap!

 

When he gets bigger he can get exactly what he wants. Also keep in mind if he wants to shoot any waterfowl, make sure the gun can except at least 3 inch shells.

Well aware on the 3", I only hunt waterfowl which is the main reason I want him to step up to the 870 and take the kick. With 8 shot and a recoil pad for the first year or 2, it should only be a matter of him holding it up comfortably. I surely do not want him operating a firearm he isn't comfortable with, but it is something is putting his hard saved (not quite earned at 12) money into and growing out of something like that sucks too.

 

We'll see how he operates my 870 this weekend and go from there. I liked the mossburg idea mentioned earlier but man that remington 870 has treated me great since I bought it 12 years ago as my first firearm! That sounds like a good backup plan.

 

Thanks to all!

[IA Born]

I'm starting the process of shopping for a shotgun for my 9-year old daughter, who turns 10 in April. As much as I'd like to be able to justify the cost of a Rem 1187 Compact for her, the 870 compact and Mossberg 500 youth are at the top of my list. They both have their pros (and cons, I suppose) I need to see which one fits her and she can handle better. When I turned 12 or 13, my dad gave me a full-size Rem 1100 that Christmas. Youth models weren't even heard of then. I grew into it in no time. Definitely have him try your current 870 for size and reevaluate after that. Good luck!

[sherman]

There is a youth 870 for sale on this site for only $200

[jmall]

I bought my son a youth model 870 and it was so light it seemed to kick harder than a full size shotgun. If I had it to do all over again I think I would have gone with the full size . They seem to grow so fast at that age it will be no time before the full size gun will fit just right.

[muledeerarea33?]

I thought I saw a 20 ga NEF pardner for sale here?

[wildwoody]

i bought a 20 gauge charles daily semi auto for my son he loves it. the semi action takes alot of the recoil out of it. used it a a single shot for awhile untill he got used to it. got it at walmart for $399.00l

[tjhunt2]

Whatever you decide I would suggest you give Healy Arms a call. Mark Healy is a sponsor on here and his prices were the lowest when I bought my wife's weatherby sa uplander 12ga. I guarantee you won't find a friendlier place to do business.

 

TJ

[sjvcon]

You can't go wrong with a 500 Mossberg or an 870 Remington. 1300 Winnie is no slouch either. But I would caution you on the "take the kick" part of a 12 Gauge. You don't want him to develop a flinch. Better to go 20 Gauge if there is any doubt about a 12 Gauge. Better to buy a 20 and sell it later than develop a severe flinch.

[naturegirl]

How's the boy's size? Within a year or two he will be sprouting at a quick pace. At age 12 I'd tend to lean toward a 12 gauge if it's doable with him.

[PRDATR]

I started my son out at 10 with a single shot 410. At 12 we got him a Youth 870 in 20 gauge. He is now 6'3" and has bought a few 12 gauges of his own and we put a slip on recoil pad on the 870 to lengthen the pull and he still uses it on and off.

One thing though was it would sometimes lock up and I would have to hold tightly on the stock and forearm while hitting the rear of the stock on the ground to free it up so it would eject.

I was able to duplicate it locking up if I pulled on the trigger while the safety was on. For Dove, Quail a 20 gauge is just fine and all I use most of the time myself.

[rcdinaz]

My buddies daughter started with the 870 "cute pink camo" and she is not real big and knocked down a dove or two last season. My oldest shoots whatever but she was always tall for her age and recoil seems to not phase her (adrenaline junky) as long as she can shoulder it.

 

My worst experience as a kid was the little single shot 20 gauge. I shot everything my dad owned and didn't complain but couldn't hit jack with the little 20g. My dad got frustrated that I kept asking to shoot his gun and said fine but after taking a few shots at quail he looked at me and said "we are going to do something different and you dont ever have to shoot that little gun again". After I was older and on to buying my own gear he told me that he was shocked that little gun had such sharp recoil. It wasn't magnum rifle type of ft pounds but that thing slapped me silly. Long story to say the little guns aren't necessarily kid friendly even if they are kid sized.