EMT40SW
Member
Anyone else here think that a 20 ga single-shot shotgun makes a perfect gift for a new shooter? Maybe a $50-$100 pick up from a pawn shop or gun store. Add a leather shell carrier from EBay for like $25.
Single-shot Shotguns as gifts
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FL-NC
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They are great for beginners- minimal recoil, cheaper ammo than a 410, and rounds available for everything from doves to deer. A modestly priced gun like that is good for a starter gun with minimal investment, then possibly upgrading at a later time to a pump or auto, possibly in 12 gauge. The single can then become a heirloom to be passed down to other youngsters, or be used as a truck or barn gun.
1976B.L.Johns.
Member
What FL-NC said.
Back in the day when our crew was building trails and roads,(in the middle of nowhere) someone always had a single shot "beater" to aid in our meals during bird season. Great to have along a tool that also can be passed along for the same purpose and beginners.
Back in the day when our crew was building trails and roads,(in the middle of nowhere) someone always had a single shot "beater" to aid in our meals during bird season. Great to have along a tool that also can be passed along for the same purpose and beginners.
jaguarxk120
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Single shot's are well known for horrendous recoil. The guns are light weight compared to
pumps or autoloaders. That recoil will drive a starting shooter away from any shooting sport.
For what they are, they are great guns. If I have to gift someone I did not like -- a light weight single is perfect.
pumps or autoloaders. That recoil will drive a starting shooter away from any shooting sport.
For what they are, they are great guns. If I have to gift someone I did not like -- a light weight single is perfect.
George P
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LRDGCO
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I like a single in 20ga, when used with used with 2 3/4" shells and appropriate loads, but have to agree with George P. I use an H&R 20 ga for grouse sometimes but I have a customized stock (talk about gilding the Lilly) and have, ah, adjusted to the H&R trigger. As a training tool, these can be good for beginners. But a 20 ga gas gun that fits him/her well is the gift that keeps on giving.
dagger dog
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Don't forget the ammo !
Sovblocgunfan
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On this I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Virginian
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I can't think of anyone I don't like that much.
cdb1
Member
I totally agree.
^This^
Except I'd probably say a pump action instead of a semi.
A semi costs quite a bit more than a single shot while a pump action can often cost only $50 to $100 more than a single shot and because of the increased weight it won't throw them around as much. They will also probably still occasionally shoot that pump later in life. Betcha they won't shoot that single shot much.
Blue Brick
Member
I used a single shot for years......shot better than others I had, or at least for me. I could speed load 2 shots. Even took two birds with one shot on one rare occasion.
No. I think $50 to $100 cash would be a lot better. That way person could buy something they want or need. The 20ga sucks because there are so few low recoil loads available. In 12 one can even get low recoil buckshot & slugs. My 12ga with two barrels weighs only 6.5 lb.
WestKentucky
Member
Single, yes. 20, not in a million years. I would prefer to pop off a cheapo 12 or a minishell than most 20s. The problem with the 20s is that the gun makers thought process was flawed. They took a proven design and made them light. Yes that is nice for packing through the woods, and yes that's nice for little arms to be able to manipulate, but what savings you get in weight, you pay dearly for in recoil. I have dove hunted with a single 20, and did well, but by the end of the day my shoulder was bruised. With a single 12 the gunbarrel weighs twice as much and was a beast to pack through muddy fields, but I could shoot 2 or 3 boxes of shells and not regret it.
cdb1
Member
This. Started first child with a pump, second with a semi. I regret not starting first child with a semi.
entropy
Member
Single-shot shotguns as gifts?
How bad do you dislike the recipient? If you really dislike them, throw in a box of 3" 00 Buck.
How bad do you dislike the recipient? If you really dislike them, throw in a box of 3" 00 Buck.
22250Rem
Member
I know some single shot 12 ga. guns have nasty recoil but I don't feel a single shot 20 ga. would be all that bad. My first shotgun at age 17 was a light, single shot 16 ga. (that I still own) which isn't bad at all with regular game loads, although things like slugs or other heavy loads can make a noticeable difference. A light 20 ga. would probably be pleasant shooting as long as things like slugs or turkey loads weren't in the plans for it.
There really is no "yes" or "no" answer to this question. Many factors weigh in to the equation. Quite a number of years ago, I was a NRA certified shotgun instructor and volunteered at NRA Youth Shooting Camps, working with probably about 1000 youth over several years. The NRA provided a bunch of NEF single shots, both 12 and 20 gauge. I learned that kids are no different than adults. Different kids had different tolerance to felt recoil. Size of the individual really did not make much difference. Some smaller ones took to it like a duck to water, some bigger ones not so much. We also had a few Mossberg 500 (pump) youth 20 gauge guns. Even had a couple of those in .410. I am not an advocate of the .410 at all, but now and then one of kids would get the hang of it and start breaking clay targets with some regularity. And I never heard any complaints from the kids while shooting the .410. They all wanted a turn with it.
The most important aspect of shooting a gun is proper fit. And this is always problematic, because kids grow so darn fast. What fits today won't fit tomorrow. Turn it around and what might fit tomorrow won't fit today. Take a good look at the Mossberg line of youth model pumps. They offer the Mini Bantam and Mini Super Bantam, both with spacers to allow increasing length of pull. Yes, it is more of an investment initially, but IMO it is a well spent investment.
The most important aspect of shooting a gun is proper fit. And this is always problematic, because kids grow so darn fast. What fits today won't fit tomorrow. Turn it around and what might fit tomorrow won't fit today. Take a good look at the Mossberg line of youth model pumps. They offer the Mini Bantam and Mini Super Bantam, both with spacers to allow increasing length of pull. Yes, it is more of an investment initially, but IMO it is a well spent investment.
Ability to handle recoil seems to vary greatly.
It also depends on your resources. While a pump is a little more than a single shot shotgun a semi auto 20 gauge is a lot more.
On gunbroker, guns of America and at Academy for a standard Remington 1100 or 11/87 20 gauge I'm seeing prices of $599, $649 on up to $999. If you don't have that to spend on a shotgun for a kid then you can't manufacture money out of thin air.
https://www.academy.com/shop/browse/search?searchTerm=Remington 1100 20 gauge youth
I guess you could try out one of the Turkish 20 gauge autos and hope that nothing breaks and that you don't need spare parts.
entropy
Member
That's exactly what I did for our 4-H Trap program. I bought a Tri-Star Raptor in 20 gauge for the kids that didn't bring a shotgun, and for the ones that brought Dad's old duck gun that didn't fit them. That guns saw more use from kids that didn't like the kick of Dad's 870, and couldn't hold it well because it didn't fit them. I even shot a few rounds with it, and despite the short LOP, shot fine with it. Easy gun to clean, going on its 4th year now, no problems.
George P
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Actually, the Turkish-made Weatherby gets great reviews and is a deal for the money; it is the model SA-08
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