I want to buy my son a 20 ga. youth pump shotgun for doves pheasant, blue rocks. He also mentioned turkey. Can you school me on the youth offerings. I am vaguely aware of a Mossberg, Stevens, CZ. Thanks! Also which length barrel to go with. Right now he is a big fourth grader about 5 feet tall. 10 yrs
Please School me on youth 20 gauges.
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Snyper
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Get a Remington 870 Express Youth, 21" bbl, and when he gets bigger you can put it in a full sized stock
bannockburn
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Mossberg offers a lot of Youth models in 20 gauge, (and one in 12 gauge), along with several different packages (two barrel combos, blued/camo finishes, wood/synthetic stocks), and length of pull can be changed with spacers on some of the stocks. I would check out their website to find the one that best suits your son's needs.
oneounceload
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I would find a way for him to actually SHOOT various guns to see what he likes and what fits him best.
CaptTripps
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I have the Rem. 870 Youth 20 Ga. Magnum, 3" chamber, that is. I like that it is built on the smaller 20 gauge frame, it makes the gun point fast and is lighter than 12 frame. It has a vent rib 21" barrel. You can add an adult sized stock when he grows into it. Be aware a 12 ga. framed stock will not fit the 20 frame. You need to find one specifically for the 20 or, a 760/7600 butt-stock. I like mine and I've used it for about 15 years now. Maybe 4-5K rounds. I like used guns, if I was buying for myself, I would look for a 20 gauge Ithaca 37 and find a cut-down stock for it.
AI&P Tactical
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The Remington 870 and 11-87 20ga youth shotguns that have synthetic stocks come with a Length of Pull spacer kit so you can adjust the LOP as he grows.
sappyg
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Just bought a Remington 870 youth express a couple of weeks ago for myself. I like it. Very easy to hit with. Adults ranging from 5'8-6' had no problem busting clays with it. One shooter did better with it than any other gun that day.
The action needed some degunking and smoothing out. Not a big deal. Comes with a 21" barrel with modified remchoke. Remington is offering a $25 mail in rebate from now until December. Keep in mind that extra barrels and adding a full size stock is fairly expensive considering the price of the gun. When the time comes for a more traditional shotgun size you might be better off buying a full size shotgun than upgrading the youth model.
Recoil shouldn't be much of an issue with these lightweights. I think Fiochi is producing some low recoil 20 gage loads but I haven't tried them. 20 gage Buckshot and slugs have caused me no discomfort and the standard 2 3/4 7/8 oz loads are gentle to me... I have no idea what they would feel like to a 10 year old. My guess is his enthusiasm would overcome any recoil reservation you may have.
The action needed some degunking and smoothing out. Not a big deal. Comes with a 21" barrel with modified remchoke. Remington is offering a $25 mail in rebate from now until December. Keep in mind that extra barrels and adding a full size stock is fairly expensive considering the price of the gun. When the time comes for a more traditional shotgun size you might be better off buying a full size shotgun than upgrading the youth model.
Recoil shouldn't be much of an issue with these lightweights. I think Fiochi is producing some low recoil 20 gage loads but I haven't tried them. 20 gage Buckshot and slugs have caused me no discomfort and the standard 2 3/4 7/8 oz loads are gentle to me... I have no idea what they would feel like to a 10 year old. My guess is his enthusiasm would overcome any recoil reservation you may have.
If you can spend a few extra bucks the Browning BPS Micro Midas is a beautiful 20ga shotgun with included adjustable stock spacers for length, a 22" or 26" barrel with vent rib and 3 choke inserts included. A well made shotgun that will last a lifetime. A step above the current 870's IMO.
I've looked at it in the gun store and am considering getting one for my grand nephew for Christmas. He's 16 but not a big kid.
They're not a real expensive shotgun. You can get one at Buds for $556, my local gun store has one for $599 which is still well under the MSRP of $699.
I've looked at it in the gun store and am considering getting one for my grand nephew for Christmas. He's 16 but not a big kid.
They're not a real expensive shotgun. You can get one at Buds for $556, my local gun store has one for $599 which is still well under the MSRP of $699.
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birdshot8's
Member
I bought a youth 11-87 as a skeet gun for my girls. I liked everything about the 11-87, and use it myself short stock and all for pheasant and especially turkey.
Mossberg 510 Twenty Gauge Youth Shotgun
Hello!
I just purchased one of these used.
It has a two inch scratch down to the aluminum on the receiver.
I paid a "fair" price I guess.
However, I am undecided about the scratch. If it was twenty years old it most likely would be no big deal.
If there was a simple solution I might try it. It gives the gun some character really....Mr. Mossberg said he can sell me another one for about 175.00
Any thoughts from you guys???
Hello!
I just purchased one of these used.
It has a two inch scratch down to the aluminum on the receiver.
I paid a "fair" price I guess.
However, I am undecided about the scratch. If it was twenty years old it most likely would be no big deal.
If there was a simple solution I might try it. It gives the gun some character really....Mr. Mossberg said he can sell me another one for about 175.00
Any thoughts from you guys???
dagger dog
Member
In have the youth 870 20 ga. express , it is one handy little shotgun, used it in the field for rabbit, squirrel, and doves ,it's light, fast to the shoulder and a breeze to swing.
With old age putting a damper on the hunting it now serves in a home defense role, with extended magazine, big head safety, side saddle, flashlight mount, and a extra tight turkey choke.
A little tip, don't shoot it yourself, or you will wind up buying two !
With old age putting a damper on the hunting it now serves in a home defense role, with extended magazine, big head safety, side saddle, flashlight mount, and a extra tight turkey choke.
A little tip, don't shoot it yourself, or you will wind up buying two !
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rbernie
Contributing Member
I really like the BPS (have one) but it's heavy for a yoot gun. The Mossy or the 870 Xpress in youth size are really solid choices. Of these two, I prefer the 870 and it's what I gave NumbaWonSon as his first shotgun.
cdb1
Member
Started my first child with a pump and second with a semi. If I could do it over again I would have started the first child on a semi also.
entropy
Member
I picked up a Tri-Star Raptor and an H&R Pardner for the 4-H kids for Trap next year. The Pardner is kinda heavy, but on clearance at WallyWord for $139, it was a no-brainer. My son liked my brother-in-law's when he shot it a while back. I tried the Raptor out, would be a nice little grouse or pheasant gun.
I would definitely have your son try a few guns before you buy one. Most of the youth 20ga pumps are light and have short barrels. This means plenty of recoil and muzzle blast. Likely not an issue in the field, but it can make for an uncomfortable if not painful day on the range. My 10 year old is pretty small, he has no problem with recoil from a full sized 12 gauge, or a 20ga auto but the 20ga youth 870 will give him a bruise after a half a box of 7/8oz target loads.
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