20 gauge (youth) options

[boneaddict]

I am contemplating a new shotgun for my daughter for Christmas.   Personally I like nice wood, not pink or synthetic.   I am wondering what is out there and figured this a casual enough place to ask what people have and or what they like or think is best.   Pump action, semi, single or double overunder side to side.   Shed be after waterfowl and upland.   My first thoughts go to an 870 pump action, as I love that in a 12 guage.  Any thoughts or opinions, I would appreciate hearing what you have to say, and your time and honesty.

[Holg3107]

Bone,

I started with a single shot 20ga, then after 2 years I upgraded to an 835 ulti-mag in 12ga. I loved that 20 ga. and to be honest it made me a much better shot knowing I only have one opportunity. In my opinion for a first shotgun a single shot is the only way to go.

[washingtonmuley]

How old/big is she? I started my kids on a Daly 20 pump but it kicked like a mule so I found an 1187 20 gauge compact that was light recoil and fit the youth hunter perfect.

[washingtonmuley]

My son actually started with single shot .410 before the 20 gauge.

[NRA4LIFE]

Browning BPS Youth Model in 20 ga.  I bought it for my wife to shoot.  It is sweet.  Nice thing is it ejects out the bottom and the safety is on top so it can be shot left or right handed.  Wife shoots left handed, I shoot right so it works for both of us.

[boneaddict]

Turns 13 in November.   She is small compared to the rest of us klikendalls, but fairly solid.  She is a "stud" athlete.  She has the core and the shoulders, but lacks a little in arm strength.  She can and does shoot my .410 single.

[boneaddict]

She is ambidextrous, though left usually dominates in real life.  She has been learning with all of my "right" guns.  I haven't decided to outfit her with left or not.  So far that hasnt been an issue.  Thats a good thought....

[Sportfury]

My son started with a 870 youth pump in 20 gauge. It is a great gun. He now moved up to a Stevens over and under in 20 gauge. Both work great and he is a bird killing machine.

With the new Hevi-Metal shot their is no restriction on the 20 anymore for waterfowl. When it first came out a couple of years ago the company rep told us that he exclusively shot a 20 gauge up until the non-toxic rules came out. He told us that he was now going back to the 20. From what I can tell in both my dad, my son, and I shooting it that it works. Good luck.

[Slenk]

Bone
Years ago I bought a little Springfield  pump used. All 4 of my sons grew up shooting it . It was won sweet little gun. I used it for grouse quit a bit also even with the sawed off stock (was that way when I got it. Let my Grandson use it and the bugger sold it. If I had known he was in need of money I would have given him the money and taken the gun back.
Slenk

[boneaddict]

That STINKS Slenk.


That brings up another point I'd liek to hear folks wisdom on.   As this is the first gun Dad is buying for her and sentimentality runs big in my family.   I'm wondering about whether to go youth or ladies, or what.  I'd like it to be a gun she can keep and be proud of as she matures.   I'd like it to be nice enough, almost heirloom ....wondering are there options about getting different stocks....not sure how much more she will grow, maybe one more spurt.  By hunting season next she she might be done......something more to think about. 

[quadrafire]

I picked up a Rem 1100 LT 20ga for my son when he was 13, perfect size for him THEN. Now is 16 and over 6 ft and it looks like a toy in his hands.
I do have a 13 yr old daughter, and she might just get a hand-me-down.

It is and nice shooting gun, traditional wood stock, but it seems a bit hard to load for someone with small hands and little finger strength. My son struggled with it in the beginning.

IF i was to to it over again I would go with the 870.

However as smallish O/U would be kinda cool too.

[quadrafire]

In reply to your last post.
If I was going heirloom I like the O/U idea even more.
Simple to operate, super safe.........
I haven't researched them much for small frame folks, but know they are out there.
just likely $$$ more than a pump or semi.

[Holg3107]

That brings up another point I'd liek to hear folks wisdom on.   As this is the first gun Dad is buying for her and sentimentality runs big in my family.   I'm wondering about whether to go youth or ladies, or what.  I'd like it to be a gun she can keep and be proud of as she matures.   I'd like it to be nice enough, almost heirloom ....wondering are there options about getting different stocks....not sure how much more she will grow, maybe one more spurt.  By hunting season next she she might be done......something more to think about. 

What about going the Thompson Encore route? Or Thomson Contender G2? that way you can add barrels as she ages and full size stock as she grows ect... I know that's the route I will go when I have kids ready. Then if she wanst to hunt deer next year all you need to do is buy a barrel and she's shooting a gun that she is already familiar with.

[Dirty Mike]

My first shotgun was a 20ga youth h&r pardner shotgun dad always said you have one shot make it count. Still have it. I also have many pumps which I like but still carry that single shot for grouse.

[Fl0und3rz]

I started with a H&R .410 single.  Still have it.  It's not what I would call an heirloom, but it has its sentimental value.

I have a 870 youth 20 gauge, and it is pretty nice for a starter.  I bought it used, for my son when he gets older.  The wood is still in pretty decent shape.  It has a plastic trigger guard, and the barrel and receiver finish required a bit of steel wool and Rem Oil to clear up.  The finish on the metal leaves a little to be desired.  I don't know whether Remington has the 870 youth in wood in their current catalog.

If we are talking true heirloom, I would cherish for a lifetime and probably still be shooting a decent 20 ga double unlike my H&R .410.