Compact 20 ga

[giggitygiggity]

I recently purchased a Winchester SXP Micro in 20 gauge for my kids. It’s a Christmas present so I haven’t had a chance to shoot it. It seemed like the best option, especially since I knew that they would be using it for a finite period of time before growing bigger and needing a gun that fits them better.

What I liked was how it has a traditional wood stock/fore end and had multiple barrel lengths from which to choose in either 12 or 20 gauge. It was also affordable ($297 shipped from Locked & Loaded).

As an added bonus, I bought it during Thanksgiving week when Winchester had a $75 rebate on SXPs. They have a $50 rebate now, which is still good.

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW Fiocchi makes light recoil 20 ga.

Dunno if those would cycle an auto.

 

[jmorris]

I tried to start my Daughter out with a LT1100 in 20 ga but she thought it was too heavy and she said she preferred a savage 24 (also heavy because it has a .22 barrel on top). She wound up picking an old bolt action .410 I hadn’t used in decades. If they don’t like shooting it, its not an activity they will want to take part in. Keep that in mind when you are picking out firearms for people that are not you and watch out, the lighter you go, the more recoil she is going to feel, with the same given load.

Spend some time on dry fire to ensure they have it properly shouldered as that’s also critical in recoil management. Young shoulders are tender and a bruise there, turns girls off pretty quick.

 

[.45Coltguy]

TriStat G2 Viper Compact would be worth a look.

 

[Riomouse911]

Another vote for BPS Upland or Micro.

X3.

I like my Micro 20 ga, its a handy little gun that is built like a tank.

Here it is next to a new-production Remington 870 20 ga with the 26” barrel:



LOP side by side:

Good luck finding the one that works for your situation.

Stay safe.

 

[Scribner]

I am in need of a compact 20ga.
I plan to start my daughter shoot shotguns next year. We have some quail around here that are in need of frying. I have looked at a few online but they are unicorns around here in So Idahome.

1. Does anyone have experience with such an animal?
2. I’m thinking any of the sub$1000 models are pretty much equivalent?
3. Would it be worth it (she’s a small girl, I’m concerned about recoil) to put down extra cash to get a semi auto (if so, which do you recommend)?
4. I have an 870 20 gauge. I have found shortened stocks, I could even buy one and shorten it myself, but finding a shorter barrel is also like finding Sasquatch (who is an Idahoan, if you didn’t know)… What do you think of that idea?
5. I’m not terribly interested in some of the light weight single shots, but if that is the consensus I might go that way…I, after all, started with a SxS 12…

Thank you in advance,
Greg

How about taking her to hold different guns? Fit is where it’s at. She needs to hold it the way you do, & for women, unless you are shopping for an expressly women’s gun, that usually me usually means a youth or bantam model. If it doesn’t fit, she will have to move her weight way over, over her back hip. This drives the recoil into her armpit. A good set of bruises will take out all of the fun.

 

[entropy]

I am in need of a compact 20ga.
I plan to start my daughter shoot shotguns next year. We have some quail around here that are in need of frying. I have looked at a few online but they are unicorns around here in So Idahome.

1. Does anyone have experience with such an animal?
2. I’m thinking any of the sub$1000 models are pretty much equivalent?
3. Would it be worth it (she’s a small girl, I’m concerned about recoil) to put down extra cash to get a semi auto (if so, which do you recommend)?
4. I have an 870 20 gauge. I have found shortened stocks, I could even buy one and shorten it myself, but finding a shorter barrel is also like finding Sasquatch (who is an Idahoan, if you didn’t know)… What do you think of that idea?
5. I’m not terribly interested in some of the light weight single shots, but if that is the consensus I might go that way…I, after all, started with a SxS 12…

Thank you in advance,
Greg

You will want a gas operated gun if you insist on a light 20 ga. See below

TriStat G2 Viper Compact would be worth a look.

This is exactly what I went with for a loaner gun for 4-H Trap. Sending a 12 year old (boy or girl) to 4-H Trap with Dad's old 30" full choke 870 or 1100 is a recipe for disaster. I saw it happen too many times. Many say a 20 ga. is not a good trap choice, but that Tri Star saw a lot of use, and kids hitting clays. I ended up selling a lot of them for the shop I got it from after the kids shot it. I ran it through it's paces myself, shot just fine.

Single shot 20 ga. will kick like a mule, the pumps aren't much better, but an O/U or gas semi that fits will be tolerable on recoil for almost everyone. The problem with O/Us is cost. You get a lot better gun for the same money in a semi vs. an O/U. $400 O/Us, like Tri Stars or ATIs just don't hold up. The Viper will last a lot longer.

 

[d2wing]

I tried to start my Daughter out with a LT1100 in 20 ga but she thought it was too heavy and she said she preferred a savage 24 (also heavy because it has a .22 barrel on top). She wound up picking an old bolt action .410 I hadn’t used in decades. If they don’t like shooting it, its not an activity they will want to take part in. Keep that in mind when you are picking out firearms for people that are not you and watch out, the lighter you go, the more recoil she is going to feel, with the same given load.

Spend some time on dry fire to ensure they have it properly shouldered as that’s also critical in recoil management. Young shoulders are tender and a bruise there, turns girls off pretty quick.

As a former instructor, finding the Goldilocks shotgun for smaller kids is tricky. I started them shooting a BB gun without sights at paper plates. That was to make sure they get the mechanics and technique right before they shot a real shotgun. I like a properly sized 20 gauge SA or O/U best. I have a cut down O/U that everyone wants to shoot.