Single-shot Shotguns as gifts

[George P]

The most important aspect of shooting a gun is proper fit

This cannot be emphasized enough; and not just for kids, but for adults as well. Too many folks like super short LOPs because of their familiarity with the M4/AR. Shotguns for clays and wing shooting are meant to be shot in a comfortable position, slightly askew to the target, and preferably with a long off hand to guide the gun (point). I see too many folks standing either square to the target like they would for static SD positions or at a 90 degree stance as if they were shooting hi-power rifle matches. The English know it's all about gun fit and you will see many guys in the 5'8" to 6' range shooting guns with 15" or longer LOP. There is a LOT more to fit than the LOP: Cast on or off, drop at comb, drop at heel, toe in or toe out, pitch, the thickness of the comb, the type of grip on the gun, etc. The tighter the radius of the grip, the shorter the LOP needed; whereas those folks shooting an English grip (straight wood) can shoot with an LOP 2-3' longer with perfect fit.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Where I grew up, getting a single shot 20ga was kind of a tradition. I got my dads old H&R at 12 yrs old.

It kicked pretty good but since I knew it wasn’t going to kill me I didn’t care. Dad said if I wanted to deer hunt that year I would have to learn how to shoot it. He gave me a few boxes of slugs and I got to it. I had practiced with a .22 a good bit and after 5 shots I figured out I could hit the paper plate at 40 yds consistently.

I guess I was a recoil tolerant kid. IME, getting any production shotgun that fits decent is a complete crap shoot anyway. I tend to like the idea of a newer shooter only getting one shot at a time.

I also am against .410s for beginners. They are really only an experts shotgun.

 

[George P]

I also am against .410s for beginners. They are really only an experts shotgun.

I agree, especially if there are birds, rabbits or even moving clay targets in the picture. A 28 would be a lot better in that regard.

 

[Browning]

Actually, the Turkish-made Weatherby gets great reviews and is a deal for the money; it is the model SA-08

I'm sure that they're great shotguns. The problem is they're not really less in price than the Remington 1100.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=Weatherby (SA-08 )

The parts selection over at Numrich for the 20 gauges is also a great deal worse.

 

[LRDGCO]

I'm sure that they're great shotguns. The problem is they're not really less in price than the Remington 1100.

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=Weatherby (SA-08 )

The parts selection over at Numrich for the 20 gauges is also a great deal worse.

+/- on the Weatherby SA08 Youth (which I got for my son several years ago):

+ Lighter than the 1100 which at a certain age can be a big deal.
+ Felt recoil vs a fixed breech is less
+ Functions well, although having to switch out the gas ring for light and heavy loads is less than optimal
+ Well made and, in my experience, Weatherby has first class customer service

- Cleaning sensitive. It wants regular, good cleaning or it will degrade in performance
- Reassembly after cleaning is extremely fiddly and unpleasant

 

[cdb1]

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.

There are excellent semi’s coming out of Turkey and parts availability is not an issue. Weatherby, Mossberg, TriStar and Retay come to mind off the top of my head. We have three Weatherby’s in the family and have had two of them for almost ten years. Never had any trouble with them. I also own more expensive shotguns like Maxus, SX3 and L4S and functionality is the same.

 

[Browning]

From the couple searches that I did at Numrich parts seem to be severely lacking for some of these shotguns (I was looking specifically at 20 ga), but not others.

Maybe they're available at other places. I don't know, only looked at what was available on numrich. That's a very large site too. One of the major parts distributors. So it's kind of weird that they wouldn't have it in stock, but that there'd be a whole plethora of parts for those shotguns somewhere else.

I've just found that any shotgun, rifle or pistol that gets used quite a bit ends up needing parts. So in off brands I tend to look at that first before I buy.

Have at it if you like. I'd just go with a pump action shotgun of domestic manufacture first just based on price. With kids it's better to see if they like something first before you go sinking a bunch of money into it. Just my personal opinion.

 

[paulsj]

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.

Old Winchester Model 37 would be great single for beginner, but price would be about $250. The youth version had shorter barrel and was fitted with solid red recoil pad.

 

[Mark NM]

Spent considerable time today in “virgin” range trip with new Henry single shot 20 gauge. (I’m pretty old school, my handguns are all revolvers, my Jeep has manual transmission.) Weight is 6.62 lbs. so no problem to carry, but heavy enough to moderate recoil very well. Recoil for half a dozen different loads from training rounds up to and including buckshot was really not an issue. The only exceptions were two different slug loads which were were as expected, pretty heavy as they should be, but still manageable. No pain at least for someone accustomed to shotguns. Each load patterned surprisingly well to my eye. Not low cost, but not very expensive compared to the range of shotguns available, and for me worth every penny. Also Henry provides excellent response to problems. As of today this is my primary small game gun. Took some work to find one, but certainly a realistic possibility for gifting to the right person (especially for someone wanting this kind of thing).

Best all, Mark

 

[cdb1]

From the couple searches that I did at Numrich parts seem to be severely lacking for some of these shotguns (I was looking specifically at 20 ga), but not others.

Maybe they're available at other places. I don't know, only looked at what was available on numrich. That's a very large site too. One of the major parts distributors. So it's kind of weird that they wouldn't have it in stock, but that there'd be a whole plethora of parts for those shotguns somewhere else.

I've just found that any shotgun, rifle or pistol that gets used quite a bit ends up needing parts. So in off brands I tend to look at that first before I buy.

Have at it if you like. I'd just go with a pump action shotgun of domestic manufacture first just based on price. With kids it's better to see if they like something first before you go sinking a bunch of money into it. Just my personal opinion.

Numrich has always been where I would look for parts for out of production firearms. I’ve never thought of Numrich as a place to go for current production firearms. Regardless, there is plenty of parts availablity for Turkish shotguns.

 

[jstert]

a single 20 or 410 shotgun is a nice gift for a shotgun newbie. simple manual of arms. unintimidating looking. a 20 for more all around use for someone who may progress into the shotgun world, a 410 for home and garden protection with handgun specific defense ammo for a nonenthusiast. add a recoil pad, trigger lock, rifle sock, swivel-less sling and a buttsleeve ammo holder for a complete package. here is my $100, under-the-bed, 20” h&r 20. a 3 digit combination luggage cable lock secures the action open.

 

[dodo bird]

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.

Geez. I learned on a single 20 when I was very young. No one told me I wasn’t big enough. I learned a lot about gun safety shooting accurately and making the 1shot count. Unless this person getting the gift is a firearm snob or physical difficulties, I would say a great idea.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

My Dad started me on a bolt action 22.cal, then I bought a bolt a bolt action 12 gauge (first deer $15.00 for the gun). Later had a Single Shot and loved it. After this I shot my Dads JC Higgins High Standard and then later bought my own Beretta. I was young, had a lot of enthusiasm. A 12 gauge single shot did not bother me one bit. I just loved to shoot and hunt.
Funny, after so many years, I had one of the best times with a shotgun last Saturday shooting the Midland 12 ga.18" Single Shot. Cannot imagine a young kid not wanting one, and 20 gauge should be a piece of cake for one that just wants a gun of his own and a little bit of enthusiasm.

 

[Olon]

Geez. I learned on a single 20 when I was very young. No one told me I wasn’t big enough. I learned a lot about gun safety shooting accurately and making the 1shot count. Unless this person getting the gift is a firearm snob or physical difficulties, I would say a great idea.

Yeah I agree. When I started shooting nobody told me about fit and I expected recoil. Heck, I thought it was cool to be able to shoot and I never looked a gift horse in the mouth.

I think that's a great first gun and I'm sure they'll remember you for it their whole life.

 

[George P]

From the couple searches that I did at Numrich parts seem to be severely lacking for some of these shotguns (I was looking specifically at 20 ga), but not others.

Maybe they're available at other places. I don't know, only looked at what was available on numrich. That's a very large site too. One of the major parts distributors. So it's kind of weird that they wouldn't have it in stock, but that there'd be a whole plethora of parts for those shotguns somewhere else.

I've just found that any shotgun, rifle or pistol that gets used quite a bit ends up needing parts. So in off brands I tend to look at that first before I buy.

Have at it if you like. I'd just go with a pump action shotgun of domestic manufacture first just based on price. With kids it's better to see if they like something first before you go sinking a bunch of money into it. Just my personal opinion.

Those semis are comparable to US pump guns in price. Have you priced an Ithaca lately? Weatherby has plenty pf parts and service available. Interesting that someone with a screen name of Browning is talking about US mfg, when most of Brownings are made overseas.

 

[AlexanderA]

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.

Such a cheapie shotgun would make an ideal "gag gift" or "insult gift." At least I personally would feel insulted if someone gave me such a thing.

 

[Browning]

Those semis are comparable to US pump guns in price. Have you priced an Ithaca lately? Weatherby has plenty pf parts and service available. Interesting that someone with a screen name of Browning is talking about US mfg, when most of Brownings are made overseas.

No, I haven't. I'm pretty good on shotguns.

This is a first shotgun for a kid though.

I was more thinking of a Mossberg or maybe a Remington than a Browning. Those are less expensive and are a good value.

 

[George P]

Most guns aren't the best for kids unless FIT is paramount; depends on their stature, experience and strength

 

[dodo bird]

Such a cheapie shotgun would make an ideal "gag gift" or "insult gift." At least I personally would feel insulted if someone gave me such a thing.

To each their own... I feel a single is a great hunting shotgun. I have shot many birds with one. More importantly many people cannot afford a more expensive shotgun. A single shot will put meat in the pot and are as reliable as they come. I wish I still had mine. And flame suit on but like others have said “Beware of the man with 1 gun. He probably knows how to use it.”

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Such a cheapie shotgun would make an ideal "gag gift" or "insult gift." At least I personally would feel insulted if someone gave me such a thing.

Sounds like you may get insulted quite easily. We live in a different world. My fist car was a VW I paid $300.00 from the money made working after school and during the summer. Now, you see high school kids driving new Jeeps, Mercedes, BMW's etc. Funny thing is, I doubt the high end gifts do not bring as much love as I had from that Old VW, Took it hunting, fishing, first Kiss in that car. Wish I still had it. If someone, a friend or family came over and gave me a single shot shotgun, I would feel honored and thankful. Of course my friends do not have the money to go out and buy shotguns as gag gifts.
And any kid that would feel insulted, needs to find a job and buy his own gun.

 

[cdb1]

I wouldn’t feel insulted if someone gave me a single shot shotgun, but I would sell it.

There is usually more than one correct way of doing things. I personally would never start a kid on a break-action single barrel or bolt action shotgun though.

 

[George P]

To each their own... I feel a single is a great hunting shotgun. I have shot many birds with one. More importantly many people cannot afford a more expensive shotgun. A single shot will put meat in the pot and are as reliable as they come. I wish I still had mine. And flame suit on but like others have said “Beware of the man with 1 gun. He probably knows how to use it.”

One can get a well-used, but perfectly reliable pump for the price of a single shot. They are not more reliable as many are poorly made

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I wouldn’t feel insulted if someone gave me a single shot shotgun, but I would sell it.

There is usually more than one correct way of doing things. I personally would never start a kid on a break-action single barrel or bolt action shotgun though.

Well it sure worked for me. And all I can remember is good times. I guess it depends on the kid.Anyone that wants to give me a Henry Single Shot Shotgun, I give you my word, I will not be insulted, and would never think of selling it.

 

[George P]

ONE 3.5" through that gun will definitely turn off ANY new shooter

 

[Jeb Stuart]

ONE 3.5" through that gun will definitely turn off ANY new shooter

No one said a new shooter has to use 3.5. Hopefully the shooter will have just a little bit of common sense. Besides these gun ARE serious shotguns for adults as well. And as you can see, they make them in 20ga. as well as 410.