There are a number of good choices mentioned. I will just follow with this : Your best bet to buy a gun the fits her is in the youth models. The least recoil guns are generally the gas operated semi-auto's. The cheaper guns generally are the pump action guns. From there making a choice is a matter of personal preference. I suggest taking her with when shopping. Her involvement will be critical in having the gun fit her, and also in her being happy with the controls and of course the appearance is always important to a young lady. She don't want no ugly gun.
Shotgun for 12 year old girl
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George P
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My 5 ft 2" wife shoots a 26" 20 ga Citori with a shortened stock. We lucked into a spare stock for the Citori that is shortened for my wife so we can return it to full size if necessary.
Anyway, what ever gun you choose and I'd suggest a Beretta semi-auto, get the stock fitted for the young lady. Buy a spare for fitting and then you can return the gun to full size at a later time if necessary.
GeorgeP has a good suggestion as well.
Anyway, what ever gun you choose and I'd suggest a Beretta semi-auto, get the stock fitted for the young lady. Buy a spare for fitting and then you can return the gun to full size at a later time if necessary.
GeorgeP has a good suggestion as well.
cdb1
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Why Beretta?
Beretta has a good reputation for reliability in the clay games.
Remington is having issues these days so while the 1100 is a good shotgun, I might stay away from Remington at this time.
I do not have any experience with Benelli shotguns but they have a good reputation.
I'd think long and hard about any budget priced shotgun.
Folks who actively compete in the clay games shoot ammunition by the pallet load. For the best reliability, look to what they are shooting. Citori's and Beretta 686's are kind of the base level over/unders. Many serious competitors shoot higher priced guns but my skeet grade Citori has served me well.
Semi-auto shotguns are more price friendly than the over/unders but some brands have a better reputation for reliability than others. When I was shooting skeet competitively in the 1990's, many of the top shooters were using Beretta semi-autos in the 12 gauge events.
Finally, a pump shotgun has its purpose and in the 1930's and 1940's it was the gun of choice for skeet shooting. But today, a semi-auto or an over/under is so much better. It is nice to have the follow up shot ready to go as opposed to having to pump the gun to get it ready for the follow up shot.
That said, I use a 20 ga pump for a critter gun around my hobby farm.
I hope this gives you one person's opinion.
cdb1
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I was just curious. And yes you do see more Beretta semi’s(seems like by a big margin) at skeet shoots.
My problem with Beretta semi’s is I like them a lot but they fit me worse than Browning/Winchester, Remington, FABARM, etc.
My problem with Beretta semi’s is I like them a lot but they fit me worse than Browning/Winchester, Remington, FABARM, etc.
Fit is important with a shotgun. While Beretta's are major players in the clay games, others brands are capable. I just do not have a wide base of knowledge. I like my Citori's and Beretta 686's for skeet. They fit me well.
Do your research and do not let price be your only guide. A shotgun with a bit higher price and a stellar reputation will serve one better than trying to save a few pennies on a budget priced, unknown shotgun.
cdb1
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I have some nice shotguns, Browning Winchester and a FABARM. You’re preaching to the choir when it comes to fit.
I could get a Beretta semi to where it would fit. But I’m not going to because of the cost entailed since I can get other quality guns to fit with much less cost outlay.
I could get a Beretta semi to where it would fit. But I’m not going to because of the cost entailed since I can get other quality guns to fit with much less cost outlay.
Ernie Bass
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George P
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Beretta has shims to adjust the fit for tall/short and RH/LH. have you ever tried adjusting the shims to fit you better? As a LH and tall, I use the max drop of 65MM and the LH cast on the shim ti get a damn-near perfect fit. (I could probably go to 70MM if they made one)
cdb1
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Yes I used shims on both. The A300 came with them, the 390 was supposed to but didn’t, got a shim kit from Coles. Dealing with Beretta direct is no fun and usually futile in my book. A pet peeve of mine is they also don’t publish the DAH and DAC of their shotguns that I’ve ever been able to find. And when I’m looking to purchase that’s the first thing I look at.
I’ve had to add cast off on most of my shotguns. Current Winchester and Browning semi’s have too much DAC so I have to shim to have less DAC. 1.5” DAC and 2.25” DAH are what I need.
I’ve had to add cast off on most of my shotguns. Current Winchester and Browning semi’s have too much DAC so I have to shim to have less DAC. 1.5” DAC and 2.25” DAH are what I need.
Armorer 101
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The 391 in a 20ga can be adjusted to very near perfect for anyone. There is an adjustment washer in the stock that adjusts on the pull bolt for cast off, cast on and comb height. However the stock will need to be shortened a bit for a young lady. Brownells sells stock shims for adding length that can be used as she grows. You yourself, can take a 391 20ga and shoot it with one hand, easily, with 7/8 oz field loads. The 391s are very soft shooting shotguns. Unlike the Benelli (also made by Beretta), the shell stop in the shell tube of the Beretta does not bite you.
George P
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Not hardly...............
As to shortening the stock, especially for a girl, means you had better take pitch and toe into account as well, which you lose when you shorten the stock
cdb1
Member
I’m with George P on this.
BigBlue 94
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I got an 870 express 20ga for my first shotgun about 20 years ago. Im 32 now. I dont recall if it was youth model or not. Killed some turkey and quail with it, and many a clay pigeon. Now it is my home defense gun, with an 18.5" barrel and Knoxx collapsible ar15 style stock.
Ive never had an issue with it. Goes bang every time. I was brought up on pump guns, and its a natural starting point for shotguns IMO.
Ive never had an issue with it. Goes bang every time. I was brought up on pump guns, and its a natural starting point for shotguns IMO.
entropy
Member
I've done it with a Tri-Star Raptor 20 ga. in an attempt to get it to jam.
Depends on the angle(s) you cut it at. Most forget about the effect of them when cutting a stock. An adjustable buttpad that can cant the pad to the right (for a RH shooter, left for a southpaw) is a good addition to a stock for a young lady also.
DAP90
Member
I bought a Weatherby SA-08 youth stock 20ga for my son (12) this past summer. He’s shooting it well and without complaining about the recoil. I think the most he’s done in one session was 75, but it didn’t bother him.
The bolt is stiff and needs some breaking in. It’s gritty for lack of a better word. The bolt release is also hard to use. It takes some hand strength.
I use Benelli’s now, but I owned a Beretta 391 in the past. No question, both are considerably nicer than the Weatherby. They also cost considerably more, so that’s to be expected. I wouldn’t call the Weatherby a cheap shotgun (from a quality perspective) but it’s not a “nice” shotgun either. It might be a copy of an older Beretta model. I think I read that somewhere.
With your budget and goals, I would find a Beretta 20ga semi and someone to fit the stock.
The bolt is stiff and needs some breaking in. It’s gritty for lack of a better word. The bolt release is also hard to use. It takes some hand strength.
I use Benelli’s now, but I owned a Beretta 391 in the past. No question, both are considerably nicer than the Weatherby. They also cost considerably more, so that’s to be expected. I wouldn’t call the Weatherby a cheap shotgun (from a quality perspective) but it’s not a “nice” shotgun either. It might be a copy of an older Beretta model. I think I read that somewhere.
With your budget and goals, I would find a Beretta 20ga semi and someone to fit the stock.
rabid wombat
Member
Buy an older gun...I like Brownings, but what ever suits your fancy...spend real money on fit. You will spend it again as she grows. The rear sight is her eye, where it is repetitively will define if she can hit with it. Likewise, fit mitigates recoil. Fit, fit, fit.
I like Larry Feland, because he is local and good. I am sure someone is closer to you.
http://www.felandgunsmith.com/gunfitting
I like Larry Feland, because he is local and good. I am sure someone is closer to you.
http://www.felandgunsmith.com/gunfitting
rabid wombat
Member
By the way...good Dad! Give the best, and enjoy the fruits of your effort!
cdb1
Member
I sold guns part-time from 2014-2016 for a very high volume dealer. I assembled many many shotguns of all action types from Beretta, Benelli, Browning, Remington, Stoeger, Winchester, Mossberg, Weatherby and Franchi. I also handled many shotguns with issues. Customer’s would bring them to see if we could fix the problem and failing that, have us send the firearm back to the manufacturer for Warranty work. The vast majority of these people were not high volume shooters. I encountered lemons from every manufacturer and the distribution was fairly equal with the possible exception of Stoeger.
The reason for the above missive is that based on my experience the Weatherby’s didn’t break more than any of the others and I believe the SA-08 is perfectly fine for a new young shooter.
The selection of new 20 gauge semi’s isn’t near what the selection is with 12 gauges. The added criteria of needing a youth/compact 20 gauge semi-auto narrows the field further. The added expense of having a full size stock cut down is an expenditure many parents of new shooters don’t want to make.
The reason for the above missive is that based on my experience the Weatherby’s didn’t break more than any of the others and I believe the SA-08 is perfectly fine for a new young shooter.
The selection of new 20 gauge semi’s isn’t near what the selection is with 12 gauges. The added criteria of needing a youth/compact 20 gauge semi-auto narrows the field further. The added expense of having a full size stock cut down is an expenditure many parents of new shooters don’t want to make.
Your thought about a Benelli Montefeltro is a good one. I have a Benelli Legacy and my buddy has the Montfeltro, both 20ga. They are the same gun, the Legacy is dressed up and beautiful; if that appeals to your grandaughter. The Montefletro is a soft shooter and very reliable. With the choke tubes it can be suitable of waterfowl and pheasants.or lightened up for doves. Great shooters.
cdb1
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Fit being equal there are several shotguns that have less recoil than a Montefeltro.
And since it doesn’t have the Comfortech stock, there are even other Benelli’s having less felt recoil.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions!
I decided to get the Winchester SX4 compact 20 ga.
If the 20ga works as good as the 12 ga guns it will work fine.
They are hard to find now (at least in my area) but I was able to find one and have it shipped to a local dealer.
I even had enough money left from the $1000.00 to buy a case of shells!
Thanks again
SC45-70
I decided to get the Winchester SX4 compact 20 ga.
If the 20ga works as good as the 12 ga guns it will work fine.
They are hard to find now (at least in my area) but I was able to find one and have it shipped to a local dealer.
I even had enough money left from the $1000.00 to buy a case of shells!
Thanks again
SC45-70
IdahoSkies
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I have five daughters all shoot, all are less than 5'2". I highly recommend the Weather by SA08. We love the 28 gauge, but the 20 is more practical for a one and only. (We have a few different gauges in our household).
The gun, a cut down and a new stock pad and an extra stock (for when she grows) will come in under your 1000 limit.
Edit:. I posted before reading the last post. You made a solid choice. She will like it.
The gun, a cut down and a new stock pad and an extra stock (for when she grows) will come in under your 1000 limit.
Edit:. I posted before reading the last post. You made a solid choice. She will like it.
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