Youth Shotgun Question?????????

[Joe Kain]

I am looking at getting my 6 year old a 20 gage shotgun for this upcoming dove and duck season. He is really tall for 6, standing at 4' 6" and weighing about 60 lbs. What have you bought for your new duck hunter and looking back at the purchase would you do it again? I have read some stuff about not getting a youth gun and go ahead and get a regular 20 gage and have the stock cut down. The reason I have been told to do this is once the child grows out of the youth model gun, it is basically not going to be used anymore and if you get the regular 20 gage, you can put the original stock back on the gun and have something for them to use as they get older. If I go with a youth gun, I don't want to spend any more money than I have to since he may only use it for a couple of years as fast as he is growing but if I get a regular 20 gage, I don't mind spending the money to get a nice one that he will use for years to come and I wouldn't mind using it myself at times in the dove field or shooting sporting clays. Any suggestions or experiences????

[Dutch Dog]

A "youth" gun can be used by more than one sibling, it can also be handed down. If you look around, you can usually find a youth gun pretty cheap.

[The Waterfowler]

I started both of my sons with 20's and cut the stocks down and also bought replacement stocks so they could shoot them when they get older. They both still use them, and me too, for everything from doves to turkeys several times a year. Main thing is to get him something he is comfortable with and doesn't kick him so hard that he developes problems. Fit and fundamentals goes a long way for his future as a wingshooter.

[BR549]

[sibbyu]

[Dux Be Us]

My kid has a Mossberg Super Bantam...a 20 gauge synthetic stock pump with a removable peice of stock to reduce the LOP that can be put back on. Comes in camo with screw in chokes and built in sling mounts. Model 500 stocks and barrels are interchangable as well. He has a ported and scoped slug barrel for it and a turkey choke too. Gun new was under $300...the barrels are under$200. Ive been pleased with the gun...the slug barrel and scope combo is unbelievably accurate with Hornady SST's. He'll shoot that till he gets an upgrade for himself, a hand me down, or recieves a gifted gun. Kills everything from dove to deer with 1 gun. I started with an old 20 gauge Rossi SxS that my son enjoys shooting today as well

[RNT]

A youth model 870 is a great gun. I used one until I was 16 maybe even 17. A twenty gauge will kill anything a 12 will if they are 20 thirty yards, and he will grow to love it. I cant throw it up that great anymore because i got used to the long "regular" 870 12, but I never had any problems with it and it still is a great gun. The size is awesome, you can get it to your shoulder really quick.

[Joe Kain]

[CBRADGO]

I saved and saved and got a BPS Youth at the age of 10 and shot it until I was 15, then sold it and my A Bolt to fund the purchase of my Citori. I'd love to have it back to pass down to my son and he to his son, etc. That being said, I'd go the youth gun route before I chopped off stock but that's just me and I'd go with the Browning. Shot a TON of shells through mine and never had a hiccup.

With him being that tall, will he have the arm strength to hold a 7lb+ shotgun? It was hard for me at 10 and 75lbs to hold any gun correctly (weight forward) until I built my strength up. I bugged my Dad to get it out of the gun cabinet every night and practiced holding it until I could keep it up for a reasonable amount of time with good form. Anyways, best of luck to y'all...

[cody's guide]

Cody is now 13 and been hunting with me since 6.
i highly recommend 20 gauge Tristar.
he has been shooting the Tristar 12 since he was 10, very little recoil and a great gun.
good luck

[driveby]

I have a Mossberg SA20 youth model for my kids. It's a semi-auto, light weight, and gas operated so the kick isn't too bad on the little fellas.

[Redhead]

Beretta Teknys 20 GA.... It is a sweet little gun.

[blkdout]

Look at the Remington 870 Compact. It is a youth model that comes with shims to give it a longer length of pull when he is ready. This will keep you from having to cut a stock off and then trying to piece it back together later on. They also have this in the 11-87 if you are looking for an auto.

[SFDdelta1]

[Matt S]

I bought my 8 year old an 1187 youth last year and am very happy with it. I like the auto because of less kick. My 5 year old has also shot this gun too.