I've been shopping for a youth shotgun. I've noticed that many of the youth shotguns such as Mossberg's 500 Bantam and Remington's 11-87 and 870 are seemingly single purpose, turkey or rifled for deer, with very short barrels, 21 or 22 inches with only one or no choke tubes. I understand that the idea behind a short barrel is to put the weigh in the rear so the firearm is easier to control for the youth. However, the barrel only adds about 0.1 pound per inch. It seems that if the barrels were a little longer on these youth shotguns it would make them more of an all purpose shotgun. Also, longer 20 ga. after market barrels for these shotguns are not available. For that reason I'm leaning towards purchasing a Mossberg SA-20 Bantam or CZ 720 youth in 20 ga. Both are imported semi-autos with 24 inch barrels and can be found for under $500. It makes me wonder why American firearm manufacturers can't make a dependable youth 20 ga. semi-auto that are competitively priced or sell upland/waterfowl after market barrels for their youth products?
Youth Shotguns
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JimKirk
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The barrels between 870 20 GA will exchange, except some very old ones that were made on the 12 GA frame( I think I remember seeing a 870 like that). The youth models are made that way(short) so that young shooters can balance the gun better. Ever watch a kid pick up a gun....what happens... the stock goes under the arm and the muzzle end hangs toward the ground. Don't worry about the short barrel, it will give you pretty much the same performance as the longer barrel. I have a youth 870 express 20 GA with a 21" barrel with screw in choke and a regular 870 Express 20 GA with a 26" barrel , they will exchange barrels. I shoot better with the youth model, of course I'm a small, short, (round) guy too.
Jimmy K
Jimmy K
Even if it only comes with one choke tube you can order more. I'd be suprised if the choke tubes for the bigger guns wouldn't work in the youth model guns. Depending on what you choose you may want to check before purchasing of course.
bigalexe
Member
You are forgetting the lever effect applies when it comes to barrels.
Mass x Lever Arm = Force.
So what is really a minimal 0.1 ounce at the end of the barrel, becomes a quarter pound when its 28" away from the shooter possibly. When the weight is that far outside your body frame it becomes difficult to balance, and this is why there are short barrels for short kids. Personally I am an adult, about 5 and a half foot tall, and prefer short barrels because of my athletic ability, putting the weight so far out there makes me fall forward nearly.
Mass x Lever Arm = Force.
So what is really a minimal 0.1 ounce at the end of the barrel, becomes a quarter pound when its 28" away from the shooter possibly. When the weight is that far outside your body frame it becomes difficult to balance, and this is why there are short barrels for short kids. Personally I am an adult, about 5 and a half foot tall, and prefer short barrels because of my athletic ability, putting the weight so far out there makes me fall forward nearly.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
The barrels are scaled to fit the guns. The stocks are short, so are the barrels. Choke tubes are the same too, by manufacturer and gauge.
And the receivers are exactly the same as any other of the same gauge from the same manufacturer. There are gobs and bunches, pallets and truckloads of barrels of all lengths and configurations available from the major manufacturers that will fit the youth guns just fine. And stocks can be swapped with adult sized stocks as well, as young shooters grow up.
Modern American made shotguns are as modular as modular can be. And what the manufacturers don't offer, the aftermarket often does, no matter if it's really useful or just a gimmick.
lpl
And the receivers are exactly the same as any other of the same gauge from the same manufacturer. There are gobs and bunches, pallets and truckloads of barrels of all lengths and configurations available from the major manufacturers that will fit the youth guns just fine. And stocks can be swapped with adult sized stocks as well, as young shooters grow up.
Modern American made shotguns are as modular as modular can be. And what the manufacturers don't offer, the aftermarket often does, no matter if it's really useful or just a gimmick.
lpl
I have a youth 500 that I bought for my rather small fiance. It came with a set of chokes and a coupon for a heavy discount on a full size stock (probably wont need to use this as she is 26 and is done growing). Uses the standard chokes that fit 20 ga mossbergs and browning invector
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