Youth shotgun

D

DesertRam

Director
Staff member
Fellas, I'm starting my quest for a shotgun for my 11-year old daughter. She's small now, and likely to stay that way, so we probably need something with a LOP of 11-12 inches. I haven't decided on an action type yet, but I do want a repeater since she's likely to keep this shotgun for a while. I've pretty well settled on a 20 ga. I've searched around a little and found the following options: Mossberg Super Bantam, Remington 870 Youth, Weatherby SA-08, and the Remington 11-87 Youth (fairly pricey though).

Questions:
-Do you have any personal experience with these models?
-If so, what are they?
-If not, do you have experience with something else I've overlooked?
-Any tips in selecting a youth shotgun? I've bought for myself by "feel", but I don't really how to explain that to a youngster.

Thanks
 
I have my step sisters mossy bantam in my safe. My dad actually cut the stock down to fit her. Hasn't seen much use, but worked flawlessly the little bit we used it. I know with some high brass shells and a tight choke it would knock the young boy I take hunting off a log when he shot it. Lol. Open choke and light loads didn't affect him much. he started using it when he was ten and since upgraded to a 12 ga super bantam. Not sure about explaining feel to a youngster though, best I could tell ya is to watch her shoulder them closely. That's how my dad and I did it for my step sister, tried to have her be truthful on how it felt and how her eyes lined up with the bead. I remember seeing a youth gun with some removable spacers in the stock, but can't remember off hand who made it. It looked pretty slick though. good luck.
 
My wife has an Remington 870 Youth 20 gauge for turkey hunting. Essentially it is an Express Model with shortened laminated stock and stubby 21" turkey barrel. A 26" bird barrel and a cantilever rifled slug barrel adds a lot of versatility. It is short and light and easy for her to handle. Operates like every other Express Model, a little rough and stiff. It shoots to point of aim and with an Indian Creek choke it averages just over 100 pellet strikes in 10" @ 40 yards with 3" Hevi13 #6's. One hundred pellets in ten inches at point of aim is the accepted minimum for reliably killing turkeys so the little popper squeaks in at forty yards for the maximum effective range. Not too shabby a performance and given the fact she will probably never shoot at one over thirty yards makes that even better. One thing about a pump, make sure the operator can reach the fore end to operate the action. Short arms sometimes don't get enough handle up there to make it much of a repeater.
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I have a little experience with them as they fit me perfect. My saltwater duck gun was an 870 Turkey special cut to youth dimensions, great gun. I bought an 870 youth in 20ga and used it for a few years before giving it to my daughter and grand daughter, it is working well for them, they live on a ranch in CO.

Next in my youth gun arsenal was a CD SA-08, very light and handy, mine was reliable and is now my old hunting partners goto shotgun for very long hikes across the prairies for pheasants and sharptails. he put a longer stock on it for himself but kept the short barrel. He puts the short stock back on for his girl friend to go shooting with him. Weatherby is importing an up dated version of it and it is a gem for the money.

I'm shooting a CZ Bobwhite 20ga 26" barrels with the stock shortened to youth dimensions for my saltwater duck gun now and am very happy with it. It makes a nice classy looking gun that is at home chasing all manner of game, I've even packed it on a coyote hunt with 3" Hevishot #2's and #2 Buck.

Any of the wood stocked shotguns can be built to youth dimensions quite easily but I'd start with something with 26" barrels just to keep the balance. I have a Browning Superposed Lightning 26ga cut down and my wife shoots a Lefever 20ga cut to fit her. I used her shotgun to shoot in the state tourney (international skeet) when the 24 gram loads for my 12ga didn't show up in time for the shoot, took sixth, couldn't complain.

Sorry I missed the PM hunt this year hope you got my PM earlier, I'm home this year remodeling the kitchen I promised last summer whjen I got sick. See you in Tucson and maybe NM after if my wife heads for Demming next year.
 
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Thanks Jr, GC, and AWS.

Erich, I was looking forward to some calling together - but we'll for sure make it happen next year in AZ.

I'm still looking around at shotguns. We played with a few yesterday including the 870 youth, Bantam, the little Mossberg (a 505 Mini I think it was called - cute, but probably too small), and a Tri-tar semi-auto. I didn't catch the model, maybe a Viper. It was in that pink/purple Muddy Girl camo, which won major points with the kid. Seemed to fit pretty good and appeared and felt pretty well made. Anybody have any experience with these Tristars?
 
I've read lots of good things on those Tri Stars DR. The SA-08s are nice too. I think we talked about those once. And as much as I dislike Mossberg, the SA20 Bantam is a good youth gun too,

I'd stay away from the 1187 personally...they're heavy guns. Especially for the size of your kids. I need to give you a call tomorrow...got some questions about walleyes.
 
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I liked the looks and feel of that Tristar real well. I think we'll take the whole family for a look and make sure it fits both older kids and Mom, and if so, bring it on home.

I've heard walleyes are starting to get a bit active up north of us. The lake is nearly full, so there's lots of water to chase them in. Better get the ol' boat all tuned up and ready...
 
I've been hearing that they are on fire at our closest pond. I was thinking about going Friday night till Saturday sometime, but the weather/wind looks like it's going to be crap. I'll give you a shout this afternoon.
 
I'm picking up my 9 yr old daughters Mossberg mini bantam 510 today. A real selling point for me, besides it fitting her, was that any Mossberg 500 stock will fit it, and since I have a couple of 500's already and an extra stock laying around the gun should be easily adjustable as she gets older.
 
Originally Posted By: Brett21PSUI'm picking up my 9 yr old daughters Mossberg mini bantam 510 today. A real selling point for me, besides it fitting her, was that any Mossberg 500 stock will fit it, and since I have a couple of 500's already and an extra stock laying around the gun should be easily adjustable as she gets older.

Welcome to PM Brett, and thanks for that input. I looked at the mini, but didn't like the short barrel on it. If it had a 22" barrel instead of just 18", I'd be more inclined to give it serious consideration. At this point, the Tristar semi-auto is leading the pack. We'll return with all the kids and the mom to make sure it fits them all. If so, it'll probably come home with us. It'll be time to start getting ready for dove season before you know it!
 

Welcome to PM Brett, and thanks for that input. I looked at the mini, but didn't like the short barrel on it. If it had a 22" barrel instead of just 18", I'd be more inclined to give it serious consideration. At this point, the Tristar semi-auto is leading the pack. We'll return with all the kids and the mom to make sure it fits them all. If so, it'll probably come home with us. It'll be time to start getting ready for dove season before you know it! [/quote]

Thank you for the warm welcome. You raise a good point with the barrel length. I hope the family is happy with the gun and they have a successful dove season.
 
The Cz 720 als might be another one to look at. 6.75 seems a little heavy to me....but recoil wise might be a good thing.
I have 15 year old daughter, who unfortunatly will probably never take up hunting. I got her to handle a few used guns last fall. Her favorite was a fausti traditions? a low end fausti anyway. But 800.00 was too steep for a gun I don't think she would probably ever shoot.
 
I'd probably get her some form of an 870.. Those 870 Express Youth models in 20 gauge are pretty dang nice. Also, you could probably find an older, used but in good shape Wingmaster for a good price and chop a couple inches off the stock. Then maybe get another stock that she could grow into.
 
Another consideration is what aftermarket chokes are available for your pick? The same can be said for the buttstock.
 
Originally Posted By: DesertRamFellas, I'm starting my quest for a shotgun for my 11-year old daughter. She's small now, and likely to stay that way, so we probably need something with a LOP of 11-12 inches. I haven't decided on an action type yet, but I do want a repeater since she's likely to keep this shotgun for a while. I've pretty well settled on a 20 ga. I've searched around a little and found the following options: Mossberg Super Bantam, Remington 870 Youth, Weatherby SA-08, and the Remington 11-87 Youth (fairly pricey though).

Questions:
-Do you have any personal experience with these models?
-If so, what are they?
-If not, do you have experience with something else I've overlooked?
-Any tips in selecting a youth shotgun? I've bought for myself by "feel", but I don't really how to explain that to a youngster.

Thanks
the mossberg 500 is the best deal cheap but works flawlessly!!!
GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE MILITARY
 
The Remington 870 great gun and they can can keep it for a while i have expierence with this gun as I have it and it works great for all around it came with rifled barrel and smooth bore if that is an interest to you. If you to explain feel have them put up the gun on their shoulder from just holding it down and choose the one they think feels better with that.
 
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Originally Posted By: rmanOriginally Posted By: DesertRamFellas, I'm starting my quest for a shotgun for my 11-year old daughter. She's small now, and likely to stay that way, so we probably need something with a LOP of 11-12 inches. I haven't decided on an action type yet, but I do want a repeater since she's likely to keep this shotgun for a while. I've pretty well settled on a 20 ga. I've searched around a little and found the following options: Mossberg Super Bantam, Remington 870 Youth, Weatherby SA-08, and the Remington 11-87 Youth (fairly pricey though).

Questions:
-Do you have any personal experience with these models?
-If so, what are they?
-If not, do you have experience with something else I've overlooked?
-Any tips in selecting a youth shotgun? I've bought for myself by "feel", but I don't really how to explain that to a youngster.

Thanks
the mossberg 500 is the best deal cheap but works flawlessly!!!
GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE MILITARY
THE 500 CAME WITH extra stock to add length as the person grows
 
rman, I hate to tell you, but the 500 is a military issued shotgun because they got a better deal on them than the 870s.

I had a 500 once...if it hadn't been for my dad, it would be at the bottom of a lake right now. Some folks have good luck with them, but no way I'm buying a 500 over an 870.

And for small framed people, a semi is much better. Less kick equals less flinch equals better foundation for shooting down the road.
 
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Originally Posted By: quackaddictrman, I hate to tell you, but the 500 is a military issued shotgun because they got a better deal on them than the 870s.

I had a 500 once...if it hadn't been for my dad, it would be at the bottom of a lake right now. Some folks have good luck with them, but no way I'm buying a 500 over an 870.

And for small framed people, a semi is much better. Less kick equals less flinch equals better foundation for shooting down the road.
ya thats true both 500 and 870 are pretty good 870 is a little better the 500s pump is kinda rattly and loose.
 
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