regular or "youth" semi-auto shotgun?

[nostatic]

The boy has expressed interest in working with a shotgun, and maybe doing some sporting clays, etc (which I have yet to do, but hope to try soon). No way he wants to shoot the 870, and with an 18" barrel that won't fly on a trap/clay range anyway. Looking at an 11-87 in 20gauge, but am wondering if getting the "youth" model is the way to go (he's 13) or instead just getting a regular one with maybe a shorter (26") barrel.

[m21sniper]

If anything what the yute needs is a shorter stock, not really shorter barrels.

[legion]

Is he a big 13-year old?

Look at it this way, do you think the youth shotgun will be too small for him at 15?

[RPKESQ]

Nostatic, how big is he? What length of pull does he have? If you want to I have Winchester 101 o/u with a short stock, I could arrange for you to borrow.

Most semi autos have a recoil spring housing tube within the buttstock that prevents it from being too short.

Another inexpensive way to go is a single shot shotgun. To learn on it can be fitted rather easily and having a single shot teaches the new shooter better anyway.

Let me know if I can help.

[Burnin' oil]

I have a fourteen year old that "busts clays" with a standard size 870 12 gauge - although it's kind of funny sometimes. He's shot an 870 in 20 gauge, which is probably a better fit. His favorite gun is his single shot .410, mostly because of recoil - the little whimp. The best thing to do is have him try different guns - but you already knew that.

[nostatic]

He's fairly tall already, so I'm leaning towards just getting an adult size shotgun and calling it good. He has no problem shooting the Mini14.

[Brando]

I was thinking an Autoloading Shotgun would be awesome. Much less recoil, lightweight, etc.

I was never a big fan of shotguns because of the amount of recoil. Call me a wuss but I want shooting to be enjoyable. Shooting clays with someone's handloads in a shotgun makes for a painful afternoon. An autoloader reduces the felt recoil substantially.

Take your son to one of the ranges where you can "try before you buy". See what he's most comfortable with. If this is a surprise gift for him... Well, you know your son better than anyone else!

[targa911S]

fit is everything in a shotgun. LOP is important stuff. But if he is long armed he should be OK with a standard length ( 14"- 14.50") That way he will use the same gun all his life. At his age he will grow into it quickly. A quick check for size is to hold the gun in one hand finger on the trigger. The butt should touch the center of his elbow inside.

[Burnin' oil]

Here is a good starter gun for the lad, the Benelli Vinci:

[targa911S]

is it just me or have all new guns lost their beauty and sense of grace?

[ODDJOB UNO]

1) hes a kid

2) kids screw guns up they fall,they dont pay attention etc.

3) the lighter the better

4) the cheaper the better cuz it IS gonna get used and abused

5) .410 single shot H&R. cheap,idiot proof,single shot

6) buy fiberglass stock and stash wood stock for down the road

7) mine survived (2) kids and all their friends including myself.

8) wanna get GOOD REAL FAST or STARVE during dove or quail season? then get a single shot. after a while of missing birds he will make EVERY SHOT COUNT!

9) low recoil

10) multiple flavors of rounds and the best for all around banzai attack bunnies and kamakaze doves and quails #6 shot.

11) you will really have to try damn hard to screw one up for it not to go bang.

[Burnin' oil]

Originally Posted by targa911S

is it just me or have all new guns lost their beauty and sense of grace?

No doubt, but . . . I am taking a serious look at the Vinci

[Superman]

A close friend of mine is a former national skeet shooting champion. He is still active, shooting and coaching. In a discussion last summer, he said his dad did not start him out with a 410, and he further said there is good reason for that. My friend, and his two boys, started out with 12-gauges. The reason is because clay breaks better with the bigger gun. The smaller gun throws less shot, decreasing the incidence rate of successes, and increasing the likelihood of frustration. FWIW.

[Burnin' oil]

There's always these William Evans

[Tim Hancock]

My relatively small daughters each shot my Mossberg 12ga pump at about that age..... Get him an adult sized 12 or 20ga. So long as a person plants the stock firmly into their shoulder, a 12 ga shotgun is no big deal.... especially a semiauto.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by Burnin' oil

There's always these William Evans

Now you're talking. Glad to see your leaving the white trash lifestyle behind!

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

Now you're talking. Glad to see your leaving the white trash lifestyle behind!

now THAT'S funny!

[Burnin' oil]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

. . . So long as a person plants the stock firmly into their shoulder, . . .

I am a bad parent, I know, but not doing this can lead to episodes of uncontrollable laughing. My three sons and I enjoy each others pain and misery.

[Burnin' oil]

I hope my last point solidifies my white trashiness status.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

So long as a person plants the stock firmly into their shoulder, a 12 ga shotgun is no big deal.... especially a semiauto.

This is the opposite of how I was trained on shotgun, but my teachers were focused on tactical use.