Youth 20 GA O/U suggestions
- Thread starter Citadel99
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entropy
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20 gauge O/U's tend to be light-lighter than autos or pumps. Most of them are field models made for upland game hunting, and are designed to be very light. If it is for the occasional round of Trap or Skeet (or Sporting Clays) and some light hunting, fine. But if you are thinking of one for a kid on a school Trap team or such-bad choice. Even the most often mentioned semi-auto-The Beretta A400, is not the best choice; it has an aluminum receiver, and is light, though the versions with the Kick-Off recoil reducer are better. The 1100 is heavier, which is better for recoil reduction and swing dynamics. (with a 28 or 30" barrel, of course.) A 20 ga. 1100 with a Jack West youth stock and a magazine cap weight (or 3 shot-filled hulls) is about as soft shooting a 20 ga. as you will find.
When my oldest daughter was first interested in learning to shoot skeet at age eleven, I lucked into a stock for my 20 ga Citori (26" barrels) that had been shortened for a youth. It fit her well and she did well with the gun.
I still have the full length stock if I want to return the gun for a full sized person but the short stock works well for my 5'-2" wife.
Anyway, another suggestion, although a bit more expensive, is to buy one of the better over/under and get a replacement stock to shorten. Then you can return the gun to full size later.
I still have the full length stock if I want to return the gun for a full sized person but the short stock works well for my 5'-2" wife.
Anyway, another suggestion, although a bit more expensive, is to buy one of the better over/under and get a replacement stock to shorten. Then you can return the gun to full size later.
I started my daughters on a Remington 1100 LT20 and 1100 28 gauge, gas autos with very little felt recoil. I bought a second stock for them and cut it down so they could shoulder it and line up the barrel. My daughters (3) were all about 9 years old when they started breaking their first skeet targets. They have drifted away from that, but still shoot with me handguns and rifles.
PegTheLeg
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I have a 20g Mossberg Maverick 88. I'm 4'9, and I have no problem using it even though it was my first gun, I just got it this past May. It comes in a size shortened for youth, which is what I needed because my arms are so dang short. It didn't cost me an arm and a leg either.
Jeb Stuart
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Just curious, what will he be using it for? Trap and skeet, hunting small game, deer turkey etc? And how old are you talking? His he small, medium, heavy build?
George P
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If you do not want to go the trouble of having a stock cut down, you might look at O/Us designed primarily for women shooters. Syren line from CG:
https://syrenusa.com/ but they won't be too inexpensive.
If budget constraints are there (and for most of us they are), look for a different brand, remove the stock, buy a second stock to be "sacrificed" until he grows when you can put the original back on.
https://syrenusa.com/ but they won't be too inexpensive.
If budget constraints are there (and for most of us they are), look for a different brand, remove the stock, buy a second stock to be "sacrificed" until he grows when you can put the original back on.
guyfromohio
Member
Stoeger makes a youth 20. I thought it was bulky and heavy, so I opted for a cheap Mossburg bantam and then bought him a Synergy when he outgrew it.
entropy
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Height/Weight? I don't like shooting 20 ga. O/U's for Trap because of the recoil, and I am 6' 250#, and not particularly recoil shy. I had a friend in Trap leagues who's son shot on the HS team I coach for, and the son was shooting a Legacy Sports 20 ga. O/U. Consistent 12's and 13's. He then borrowed an 870 with the stock cut down, and his score jumped to 20. Your son will shoot at 100 clays for every shot he takes at a live bird, and if he becomes recoil shy, it's a long hard road back from that, if he'll even want to. I've seen it time and again as a coach.
Give the 1100 a look. The one my dad had was fast and didn't kick. It was a 12 ga. Barrel had been cut to 18.5. It was for home defense. Loaded 6 rounds. Pulled trigger only heard 3 pops. Thought it jammed surprised to see it was empty. Felt like a 20ga.
He's a small dude and really loves to bird hunt. Been shooting a .410 single shot and smoking doves. Ready to move him up a little for next year. Completely hear you on the recoil mitigation. Will check out some semi-autos with him. Hearing good stuff online about the Weatherby SA-08 compact. Thoughts on how it compares to the 1100?
Sappyg2.0
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[QUOTE="Citadel99, post: 11235339, member: Hearing good stuff online about the Weatherby SA-08 compact. Thoughts on how it compares to the 1100?[/QUOTE]
The SA-08 probably lighter weight than an 1100 but I have no real world experience with a 20 gauge 1100. I only have a 12 gauge 1100.
SA 08 has an aluminum receiver and 1 action bar. The 1100 has a steel receiver and 2 action Bars. Personally I prefer the SA 08 for several reason. Weight is one of those.
Another is that the 1100 shoots dirty compared to more modern guns. Plus, it requires an O ring whereas most, if not all, others do not.
Over time, and changing the O ring as needed, my 1100 in a sample set of one, has proven less reliable than my other semi auto guns. That, along with weight and higher maintenance, has religated my 1100 to the safe.
IMO the SA 08 is simply a better gun to me. User friendly. Lighter weight. More reliable. Easier to maintain.
The SA-08 probably lighter weight than an 1100 but I have no real world experience with a 20 gauge 1100. I only have a 12 gauge 1100.
SA 08 has an aluminum receiver and 1 action bar. The 1100 has a steel receiver and 2 action Bars. Personally I prefer the SA 08 for several reason. Weight is one of those.
Another is that the 1100 shoots dirty compared to more modern guns. Plus, it requires an O ring whereas most, if not all, others do not.
Over time, and changing the O ring as needed, my 1100 in a sample set of one, has proven less reliable than my other semi auto guns. That, along with weight and higher maintenance, has religated my 1100 to the safe.
IMO the SA 08 is simply a better gun to me. User friendly. Lighter weight. More reliable. Easier to maintain.
cdb1
Member
I’d get a SA-08 or a SA-20.
DocRock
member
Clear case for an 1100 youth model, or the youth SA08. Gas guns are much softer shooting and the 1100 is the softest shooting s/a. To the extent that a youth stocked o/u is available, it will be a light field gun and it's going to recoil a lot harder.
When he gets a bit older and fills out, sort him out with a used Browning or Beretta o/u in 12 he that will last him forever.
When he gets a bit older and fills out, sort him out with a used Browning or Beretta o/u in 12 he that will last him forever.
Quick Update. Went with the Weatherby SA-08 Youth model and he loves it. Timing was perfect as he had a spur of the moment dove hunt on a trip this weekend and was very successful. Thanks for the input and changing my mind on this one!
Mark
Mark
cdb1
Member
I’m glad things worked out for the both of you.
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