12 gauge too much for a 12 year old?

[batex]

I'd like to take my 12 year old son out shooting sporting clays but all I have for him to shoot is my Beretta 390 12 gauge. I'm wondering if this may be too much gun for him and if I should by him a 20 gauge to get started rather than try him out on a 12 gauge. He's a big kid, bigger than most everyone his age (he's 5'7" and weights about 160 lbs). My Beretta 390 has a Kick-EEZ pad installed and I would have him shoot the Extra Light AA 1 oz Target Loads.

If anyone has experience with kids shooting shotguns, I'd appreciate any comments you may have.

Thanks,

 

[earlthegoat2]

If its too much gun it is only because it may be too heavy. The gas action Beretta should not jolt him too hard especially with the light loads you plan to use.

 

[TxState101]

I was shooting a 12 gauge by the time I was 12, and around that same size. It was an 870 Super Mag.

It was dove hunting in South Texas in late September a few days after a good rain. Hot, humid, and so many gnats and mosquitos, I think that's where I learned how to swear properly.

I think he'll be fine.

 

[WNTFW]

There are other factors besides gauge. The fit of the gun & his technique will go a long way also.

 

[mljdeckard]

Remember, it's kind of like teaching him to play basketball, and thinking, "I'll give him a smaller ball now, and I'll switch to a full-size ball when he's all grown up." It doesn't do him any favors to put him at the kiddie table.

The recoil from a 12 is manageable, as long as the gun fits correctly. Match up at least the length of pull, and it should be ok until he's ready for his Citori.

 

[mgregg85]

Check and see if he can comfortable shoulder and swing the 12ga beretta. If not then its time for his own shotgun.

 

[Javelin]

I started out on 20 gauge and when I was a little older (15 or so) I started shooting a 12 gauge. My father was a wise man.

 

[Logan5]

What is the 20ga you were thinking of buying? Sometimes the power to weight ratio is such that a 20 will kick harder rather than less, so you'll want to think about the right gauge in the right platform.

 

[jmr40]

A lot of people make the mistake of starting a kid out with a lightweight 20 guage single shot or pump. Because of the lighter weight they often recoil more than a gas auto in 12 guage. Especially if you stick to the lighter loads in the 12.

When my son was about that age I was looking for a gun for him. I really wanted a 20 guage 1100, but found a used Mossberg 9200 in 12 guage at a steal. I had the stock shortened for him and he did just fine. After he grew I gave him my Beretta 390.

I think it will work just fine. You may have to consider getting the stock shortened for him however.

 

[MaterDei]

That is one large 12 year old. I think he can handle it.

 

[Old Fuff]

While looking at him from the side, have him point the gun and see if he arches his spine backwards. If so, the stock is too long, and the recoil from even a smaller bore shotgun could hurt him. Notice that if the puts the stock under his armpit (don't shoot it that way!) he can stand straighter. Getting the right length of butt stock can be as important as the shells you use.

 

[Kymasabe]

When I was 12, I was hunting with an Ithaca single shot 12-gauge that had either a 28 or 30 inch barrel. Broke open with a lever, had to pull the trigger back to fire, I think it was a model 60? Not sure. Anyway, the thing weighed a ton. But, I carried it for hours bird hunting and sat with it for hours on deer hunts.

On the other hand, Remington make a really nice 20 gauge youth model 870 pump that is probably perfect for his size and really afffordable.

 

[batex]

Thanks everyone. Great advice here. I really appreciate it! I think we will try the 390 with the light 1oz. target loads. We'll take it easy and keep it simple and not try to do too much at first. I really want him to have a good experience so we can shoot together more often.

 

[zombienerd]

Yes, most 12 year olds can handle a 12ga if it's a light load

I shot my first 12 at 12 years old, and my father did something mean... It was a semi-auto, and he loaded a slug, followed by 3 light birdshot shells.

I aimed, pulled the trigger, boom, boom, boom, BOOM. I practically took flight.

I learned very quick the importance of knowing your loadout

 

[Dave McCracken]

Fit's more crucial than gauge. Weight is in there also.

With a gun known to be empty, have him mount it and hold it in position for one minute. If he can do so without bending backwards or lowering the gun, it's probably OK on weight.

Fit's covered elsewhere.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

A lot of people make the mistake of starting a kid out with a lightweight 20 guage single shot or pump.

I made that mistake when my son turned 11. That H&R single shot 20 kicked harder than my 12 ga 11-48. Son soon figured that out and started using the 12 ga.

BTW, my son was on the small side and thin as a rail. He didn't have any trouble hunting with the 12 ga, but clays might have been a different story.

I'm 5'7" and 145 lbs. With my fitted Citori, I can shoot a couple hundred rounds with no discomfort.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

with the light 1oz. target loads

You might even want to try 7/8 oz. target loads, if they will reliably cycle your gun.

 

[Matt304]

No offense, but why are you asking for the opinions of people on the internet to fit a gun to your son? Take your son to the range, and put a 12GA in his hands. I'm sure his opinion will go a lot further than ANY of ours.

 

[dagger dog]

I'm in the fit crowd also.
LOP is the big thing on youth shotguns. Having an ill fitted shotgun, be it a 12 or 20, beat the crap out of you is not the way to start out a new shooter young or old.

Get some help from one of the shotgun pro's at the range and if either of your guns won't fit your boys frame think about renting one that does. It will make his experiance one that he will want to repeat.

 

[oneounceload]

One of the ladies in our shooting group is all of 5'1", MAYBE 105 pounds and she handles a nine pound K-80 with ease. As long as the stock fit is good, he should be good to go

 

[scythefwd]

It depends on the kid, but I was shooting single shot 20's at that age with full loads. That should have been a kick as strong as a semi-auto 12, and it was uncomfortable but still fun. I fired off 50 rounds that one day I only hit 24 of the targets, missing my merit badge by 1 .

 

[shotgunjoel]

From your description he would be bigger than me and I shoot slugs and stuff out of a pump with 0 problems. He will be shooting a gas recoil gun? No problem, but his left arm will be a lot more sore than his shoulder just from holding up the gun.

 

[steve jackson]

Any sporting clays course worth its salt will have guns you can rent. They should have several youth models - 410 ga and up for them to try.

 

[Borch]

I was about the same size when I was 12-13 years old and my first gun was a Remington 870 Express combo. Recoil (even with the slug barrel) and weight were not problems for me but reaching the forend comfortably was. Since he'll be shooting a semi this takes care of that problem.

 

[proud2deviate]

A young girl I'm acquainted with got one of those youth Rossi set ups for Christmas a few years back. One barrel in .22 lr, and one in 20 ga. Cute little toy-looking gun, almost nothing to it.

Last summer, I got a chance to try out the 20 ga configuration against some clays. The clay went up, I lined up on it, swung, pulled the trigger, BAM! The clay shattered, and I'd swear my shoulder did too. Felt like Tiger Woods just walloped me with a nine iron. It was, by far, the most unpleasantly painful gun I've ever shot. Little light gun and hard plastic recoil "pad" makes for sharp, painful recoil.

I eventually ran a few more rounds through it, just to show it who was boss. I now have to bring it drinks and call it "Mr. Rossi" in front of company. Man. . .