Need New 20 For My Daughter

[jb177]

Ok, she's only 7 but you can't start looking too soon 

I'd like to start her out on a 20 gauge for turkey, squirrel, etc.  This won't be a dedicated turkey gun and something that her younger brother can use when she grows out of it. 

I started out with a 12 gauge at 10 years old.  I've never shot or owned a 20 gauge for that matter.  Like most people, i'm not made of money, but I don't want to buy something that we'll be unhappy with. 

Any suggestions on what I should start her on?

Easy choice is prb the 870, but I question if a semi would be easier on the shoulder for a youth.  I haven't kept up with what shotguns are working these days and what's not.  I've read a lot of threads here, but none really were pointed toward a youth.

[ahfox16]

Cute little gun that used to be readily available was the Charles Daly youth in 20 gauge.  They were sold in 20 gauge in Walmart and other places and are still out there for not much money.  They take Remington choke tubes and are very light.  Believe the length of pull was 12.5".  You can start her with some light field loads and then gradually work her up to a turkey load.  I think you can buy them used for about $150.  I like them better then most single shots because kids have a hard time pulling back the hammer and even a harder time letting the hammer down if they don't shoot.

[dpowers311]

Mossberg 505 and 510 both come in 20 gauge and weigh 5 pounds. The 510 is the smallest that mossberg makes.

I have been looking at these for my 8yo.

Dave

[hookedspur]

As a first gun I like for the operator to have to do something to load the next shell and in a auto of course that happens on its own .

[jb177]

I agree in the safety side of a pump, but those semi sure seem softer on the recoil. When i was a kid, dad only gave me one shell at a time anyway.  I prefer a pump myself, but was concerned about the recoil.

[SumToy]

Charles Daly or Browning will put good numbers up.  Both with the bigger bore they will not kick as bad.   

[TrkyHntr]

I would give a rem 870 compact a try. It has the adjustable length of pull. The spacers in the stock let you adjust from 12 to 13 inches. Mine came with the new supercell recoil pad. Takes most of the recoil out of the turkey loads. It has a 21" barrel and patterns really good.




Shane

[lmbhngr]

I had that same dilemma with my son. MKW made some good points at the time and I ended up getting him a Rem. youth 20 ga. He had to get used to a 410 first though.

[gophert]

My 10 yr old daughter shoots a Rem 870 Youth with 21" bbl.  You can get them at walmart for $257.  Patterns really well and she can handle it real well. 

[jb177]

I thought I would get a lot of advice on the 870.  Sometimes it's just hard to beat something simple, affordable, and works.  I like my 870 SM for sure, but in the 12.  I do like the thought of the youth sized stock in the 20. 

[whiskey]

Mossberg Super Bantam - comes with a stock spacer to grow with her. Screw in chokes, ribbed barrel, threaded beads and tapped receiver. It weighs next to nothing. My daughter is 12 now. She was 10 when she started shooting this shotgun. The 3" loads for turkey are a handful, but she is a trooper and knows that you don't feel it when hunting. She dove hunts and squirrel hunts with her's too.


Dove hunting at 10


Turkey hunting at 11


Dove hunting at 11


Squirrel hunting at 12


Turkey hunting at 12

[surehuntsalot]

love the pic's

[jb177]

Those are memories that money can't buy. Congrats. I hope to have my own version of those in the years to come.

I'll look at the mossy too