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First shotgun for 12 year old

armand210armand210 Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited February 2002 in Ask the Experts
My son is turning 12 in about a month, and I wanted to get him a shotgun for his B-day. He's big enough to handle a 12 ga at skeet (and does REALLY well with it (Rem 870 mag)), but I'm worried it will be tiring for a real hunt. I'm leaning towards a 20 ga pump. Any advice on make/model? Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I saw a kid yesterday with a 20 gauge Ithacaultra lightweight VR pump. He loved it and hit all his birds. He let me handle it and it's definitely a shotgun to carry all day in the field. It must weigh about 5 pounds.
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  • One shotOne shot Member Posts: 1,027 ✭
    edited November -1
    You would be well served with a Remington 870 or 1100 in .20 gauge. I have used both of these models and loved them. The .20 gauge is a good first choice for the younger shooters.
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  • Big TimberBig Timber Member Posts: 103 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used to carry an Ithaca 20 gauge pump and it was the lightest pump I've ever used. I believe it was called the "featherlight"? I'm not 100% but if you can find one, I would highly recommend it. BT
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get the guy something he will be able to use when he's older too. Maybe something that can be upgradable. Don't forget semi autos don't kick as much as pumps, so maybe you'd get him a 12ga autoloading shotgun. 11-87's are really nice, I've got 2, and they don't jam like the 1100's reputation does. Not only that but they have lots of aftermarket stuff for 11-87's.
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  • binderbinder Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My 11 year old nephew and his dad and I have gone hunting with 20 gauges here lately, which is a new experience for me. I'm a 12 gauge guy, but for quail and clay birds up to about 30 yards, my nephew has become very deadly with his 870 camo Youth model pump. Last year he got two turkeys with it.It is light enough for him to carry, and not get tired out doing so. He can always go to a heavier gauge later if he desires to do so, but he is quite good and it doesn't kick his shoulder so bad that he is scared to pull the trigger.
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  • dakotashooter2dakotashooter2 Member Posts: 6,186
    edited November -1
    I bought the winchester 20 gauge youth model for my son. The forearm seems to be closer to the receiver and helped give his young arms keep better balance of the gun and better leverage when cycling the action.
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  • nabobnabob Member Posts: 24 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you can afford it why not a 20 ga Browning Superposed over and under for the lad. This would be a gun he would treasure his entire life.My father bought me one many years ago and I always used it for quail hunting until later I switched to a Browning 20 ga semi-auto.Personally I don't like pumps for quail hunting and believe 12 ga is overkill but that's just my opinion.
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  • anderskandersk Member Posts: 3,627 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    My Dad started me (after a few BB gun years) off with a single shot 20 ga Whippet shotgun. Then after a couple years when I was ten years old, he got me a Spanish made 20 ga side by side double barrel. And just like the last poster said - I still treasure it and will for the rest of my life. I would say that it is a good way to start and why leave it, if you have grown to like it and use it well?Be sure you give him all the TLC and gun safety help along with the shot gun!Bonne Chasse!
    Ken
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  • rrfhunterrrfhunter Member Posts: 187 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got the same set of issues in my house with a 13 year old boy and girl. My experiences have taught me a few things so far:They grow out of "youth" guns FAST.12 gauge pumps are too long to the forend.Cutting down the stocks is regretable in a year.They don't have as much problem with the recoil as you would think.They LOVE to shoot!I've tried them all out on them: 870, 1100, 1300, savage. IJ singles in 20 and 16 gauge. I find what will work best for you is an 870 with the "youth" stock in 20 gauge. When he grows out of the shortened stock (next month)there are lots of regular stocks both wood and synthetic available for $20 at gun shows and auction sites. My daughter has a hard time cycling the forend and finds an automatic too heavy. My son has more upper body strength and shoots the heck out of his 1300 12 gauge. I took them out with a truck load of shotguns to see what worked for them. Neither one cares about recoil! They brush it all off.
    ....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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  • rrfhunterrrfhunter Member Posts: 187 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Another thing: It's handy keeping everybody using the same gauge and shell length ie:12. When you're in the duck blind and limited to 25 shells each, everybody can share. 12 gauge shells are cheap and plentiful as well. If the kid's shooting 20 gauge or 12 gauge 2 3/4" and your gun's 3". I GARAUNTEE YOU THAT THEY WILL FORGET TO MENTION THAT THEY ONLY HAVE TWO SHELLS LEFT UNTIL YOU HAVE HIKED HALFWAY TO THE BLIND IN THE MUD AT 4:21AM !!!!!
    ....I never met a gun I didn't like!
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  • COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    dakotashooter2...........WAS RIGHT ON TARGET.FEW MONTHS BACK I GOT A WINCHESTER MODEL 13003" CHAMBER COMES WITH PAD. I ADDED A SLING,MY 10 YEAR SON HUNTS RABBITS ALL DAY........GREAT GUN...I TOO THINK ITS ONE OF THE ONLY "TRUE" YOUTHMODELS.....WILL SELL IN A HEART BEAT IN THE FUTURE, IF YOU WANT TO WHEN HE OUT GROWS IT..A LOT OF ADULTS USE THIS GUN ALSO.ITS SHORT AND LIGHT...FAST SWING AND SHOOTING....ALSO COMES WITH THREE SCREW IN CHOKES...............................................TAKE A CHILD HUNTING OR FISHING..........[This message has been edited by COONASS (edited 02-26-2002).]
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  • grizzclawgrizzclaw Member Posts: 1,159 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The 1300 black shadow is a good light weight in 12ga. I carry an 1187 bgsp, gun weighs a ton, wouldn't get it for a youngster, but I love mine.
    Thanks, Grizztribefans@sssnet.com
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  • MFIMFI Member Posts: 7,899 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Big Timber I still carry the Ithaca 37 featherlight in .20ga it is my favorite gun. Doesnt handle 3" loads but otherwise you cant beat it.
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  • elmos608elmos608 Member Posts: 124 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Go with the 870 in 12ga. with a reasonable barrel length. If it's a little big, he can always grow into it. Anyway what type of loads will he be shooting? 7-8's.
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  • Big TimberBig Timber Member Posts: 103 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    MFI, I love that gun also but the full choke wasn't practical for quail. I still use it occasionally and after a long day, you can't even tell you were carrying a gun. Is your 20 gauge full choke? I wouldn't mind getting a new barrel if it's possible.Big Timber
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  • KadaverKadaver Member Posts: 333 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i got a 20ga. winchestor 1300 youth when i was 14, and i still carry it at 22. it is only like 5 lbs and when using 3inch shells has just as much shot as a 12 ga. 2-3/4 shells.... i love it, the short stock, short pump make it very easy to hunt with and aquire targets with.
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  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would suggest a Benelli M1-super90 in 20ga. He would cherish it for a lifetime. I picked one up in the new Timber camo and it sure is a sweet shooter.The Nut
    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • COONASSCOONASS Member Posts: 2,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BUY YOUR YOUTH A YOUTH SHOTGUN........I HATEHEARING HE'LL GROW INTO IT...........BUY SOMETHING HE OR SHE CAN SAFELY AND COMFORTABLY SHOOT AND HANDLE TODAY....IF AND WHEN THEY "OUTGROW" IT .......SELL AND BUY BIGGER.........."WALK BEFORE YOU RUN"
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  • gunnutgunnut Member Posts: 724 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    yep and you can crawl before ya walk On a side note if he can handle a 870 supermag he should be able to hand about anything. Please don't sell his first gun, you will both regret it later. Nothing like getting older and walking to the safe and handling a gun that brings back memories of a dad and his son. Just a thought.The Nut
    ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • woodsrunnerwoodsrunner Member Posts: 5,378 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    armand210, email me at WoodsRunner10257@aol.com WOODS
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  • Harleeman1030Harleeman1030 Member Posts: 1,505 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Find yourself a good gunsmith on your local range..Let the little man shoot some diff. type guns when he smiles you will know what he likes...I still have my H&R .410 single shot...And my mossberg 12 gauge from my youth because my grandfather took the time to let me shoot before he bought me anything..
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