First Shotgun for 10 Year Old

[ezypikns]

My grandson is turning 10 in June and I want to buy him his first shotgun. I'm set on a 20 gage. That's what i started with 50 years ago. The gun will be used mainly for dove and upland shooting along with some skeet and sporting clays.
What I'm not too sure of is the type of shotgun. My first was a 20 gage O/U. That worked fine for me until I got my first autoloader. He's an average sized 10 year old. I'm aware that there are 870's in youth models. That's a possibility. I probably don't want to spend more than 500.00. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[RNB65]

An 870 youth model is about as good as it gets for a kid. My dad uses one to shoot rabbits and crows that invade his garden.

If he's recoil sensitive, a used 20ga 1100 is an option. Take it to a gunsmith and get the stock cut down to fit his size.
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[Snarlingiron]

A freind of mine has an 8 year old that he started with a Mossberg 500 youth model 20 ga. He is doing very well with it. We shoot sporting clays about every other weekend, and the boy usually goes with us. It is really fun to watch him improve with each session. He will soon be beating me (not that much of a feat).

While I am a HUGE 870 fan, I think it is the best shotgun value there is... one issue to figure in is the weight of the shotgun. The boy had a hard time supporting the shotgun at the beginning. Hunting would be even more critical with regard to weight. So, for this reason the Mossberg gets my vote.

Now, the boys birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, and his dad found a very nice Remington 1100 20 ga that someone had already cut the stock down to 12 1/2" pull. He got the gun for $375.00. After a thorough cleaning we shot it today. What a beauty. Recoil is virtually nothing.

Used 1100's are plentiful, and not expensive. They are great shotguns, but have somewhat fallen out of favor (doesn't start with a "B"), so in my opinion used 11-87's and 1100's are the other great value in shotguns now.

So, either of these would be a very nice choice. There are a number of synthetic youth replacement stocks available for the 1100 for about $75.00. You could probably buy an 1100 and a replacement youth stock for the $500.00 budget, and your grandson would have a gun that would last a lifetime.

 

[chris in va]

Mossberg has a wider range of stock options for youth. As he grows, you can just get the larger size.

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=22&display=feat

 

[jmr40]

I started looking for a 20 when my son was about the same age but found a Mossberg 9200 in 12 guage at a price too good to pass up. The fore end was cracked so they let me have it for next to nothing. Mossberg replaced the fore end at no charge.

I had the stock shortened and found that the gas operated auto in 12 guage had less recoil than a lightweight youth pump in 20. As long as light loads were used.

 

[All4eyes]

I will be starting my 9 year old doughter out this year, and decided on the Stoger Condor in a youth model. I can get one for less than $300 hear, and it fit her build well. It is an O/U.

 

[rrflyer]

my first was a new england arms 20 gauge break open single shot.


I think it cost about 100 bucks and I shot the hell out of it. After that I ended up getting a mossberg youth model 20 guage that I loved as well...still have it actually.

The single shot was nice, easy to function, and forced you to take your time shooting.

 

[jgo296]

if hes turning 10 get him the 10 gauge of coarse

 

[Ford]

same here. I got a 20ga New England Arms for my first shotgun.
I then graduated to a 20ga Remington 870 Youth model which I still have.

 

[Ash]

My first was a bolt action 410. It was given to my dad by his dad. I have killed many squirrels with it and it remains, along with my Western Field .22, my favorite firearm owned (and I own some very expensive firearms).

Ash

 

[Kernel]

Consider a Remington 870 Express Jr. Stock is a full inch shorter than the regular Youth. Takes screw in chokes, which is nice.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_jr.asp

My 13 year old is 5'-6" and his Jr. still fit's him fine. The regular Youth stock is only 1 inch shorter than a standard 870. I'm 5'-10" and use a 870 Youth when I have a heavy coat on.

Gander Mountain stocks the Jr. Paid under $200 for my son's, during a store sale and with a $20 off coupon. I've seen them with birch, laminate, camo, and black plastic stocks. Oh, and they make a Wingmaster version to, if you want something a little nicer.

And since it's an 870, of course, when the day comes and the kid grows up, there's no end to the stocks, barrels, choke tubes, pieces, parts, etc. etc. you can get. -- Kernel

 

[PotatoJudge]

This might work for you:
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=354790

Single shots are fun and easy to learn with. They're also easier to verify as "safe" (the action is open) when hunting and teaching.

A used Wingmaster or 1100 would be great choices. Just buy a second stock to cut to fit and when he gets bigger he'll have the full-size one waiting. They're guns nobody ever really needs to upgrade from, which is always nice for a "first gun."

 

[stephpd]

first shotgun

I started at an earlier age with a .410 single shot, great starter gun but outgrew it fast. By 10 the 20 ga pump was preferred by me. 12 ga was awkward but doable. The 20 ga should be a fine gun for several years. Get one of the 'youth' sized ones and it will serve him well for several years.

 

[Guillermo]

I agree with the folks that suggested 870 youth model. While I am less familiat with the equivalent Mossberg I am sure that it is also appropriate.

 

[foghornl]

Single-shot? A lot of choices..H&R/NEF/Rossi, etc.

Pump? Rem has some 870 Youth models, and Mossberg has the "Bantam" series for younger/smaller shooters.

 

[Smitty in CT]

Regardless of which gun you get, make sure to start him off with Fiocchi "20 Lite" Trainer shells. They have virtually no recoil!!!

They are the softest shooting 20 GA load on the market, not counting reloads, My 9-year-old (5' 4", 105 lbs) can handle 100 rounds of clays in a weekend with no complaints...

Fiocchi "20 Lite" Trainer specs:

Mfg Item Num: 20LITE
Category: AMMO SHOTSHELLS
Gauge :20 GA
Type :Lead
Length :2 3/4
Ounces :3/4 oz
Shot Size :7 1/2
Muzzle Velocity :1075 fps
Rounds/box :25 Rounds Per Box, 10 Boxes Per Case
Drams :Lite

Able Ammo carries them and I'm sure otheers do, too...
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=89224