20 gauge (youth) options

[Sportfury]

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.

Sentiment is nice, but I went for a functional gun that would work for my son. I wanted him to be successful and he was. He was able to shoot the double in skeet when all these kids with fancy over and unders that mom and dad had bought them couldn't. I also wanted a gun that he and I wouldn't have to worry about if it banged around, dirty, or muddy. Not that that little 870 isn't sentimental. It is being passed down to my daughter and in about 8 years my nephew will be able to shoot it.  It will stay in the safe and serve kid duty whenever the opportunity presents itself. We will keep it moving down the family tree as long as we can.

As suggested above the Browning BPS is a sweet little gun. I have a full size in 12 gauge and the tang safety works great. You may want to do some research because there are a couple companies out there that have youth guns and as your daughter grows you can put on a bigger stock.

[Curly]

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.

That is the gun my dad bought me when I was 11 (about 34 yrs ago) and I still love that gun.  I am 6'-1" now, and the gun still is fine to shoot.  I really don't use it much anymore, but I will never sell it. I like it for dove hunting and chukar, but I just don't get out after them like I would like to, but if I do that will be the gun I'd grab even though I do have a Beretta O/U in 20 ga.

It was kind of funny the first few times I shot the semi auto, I forgot that I had more than one shot available because I was so used to just having one shot since I'd started out with a single shot .410.  Just took some time to get used to.  I remember duck hunting with my dad and just shooting once when a flock of ducks flew over; my dad said "Why did you only shoot once?"  I remember being puzzled for a second, then going "Oh, yeah..........I do have 3 shots now".

I think a semi auto might be the way to go.  They might be a little heavier than an O/U or a pump, but felt recoil should be less.  I think I'd consider a Benelli Ultra Light.

Link:  http://www.benelliusa.com/ultra-light-shotgun

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Take a look at the Mossberg 500 20g youth models.  Mossberg also includes a certificate to get an adult stock when the time comes.

[jackmaster]

i bought my son a youth mossberg 20 gauge pump when he was 10, he is 18 now and he decided this year that his gun was to small so he take my 12 gauge, i was fine with it because that little 20 gauge mossberg pump is lite and is quick to the shoulder and does real fine on grouse. to this day it shoots like it is new

[h2ofowlr]

After purchasing many of the youth guns on the market new and old.  I would go with an auto loader.  Less felt recoil.  No issues trying to pump the gun, easier to acquire the target after the initial shot.  Many go with the lesser guns due to price, availability, etc.  The top two go to options for durability, quality would be the Benelli M2 and Browning Silver Micro Midas or Browning silver Micro.  Working with a 12-3/4 -13 LOP.  Both great guns.

[JLS]

Franchi makes a nice youth model semi-auto.  Very light, but with manageable recoil.  I plan on picking one of these up this winter or in the spring for my girls.

[h2ofowlr]

Franchi makes a nice youth model semi-auto.  Very light, but with manageable recoil.  I plan on picking one of these up this winter or in the spring for my girls.

Decent gun for $700.  They offer it in camo and black.

[Gamblin Guy]

Bone, if your looking for a gun that would be a family passed down heirloom I would look to buy a 20 gauge with a normal sized stock and a 26 inch barrel, then buy either a shortened stock for it or buy a used one off ebay or one of the gun parts sites and have it cut down to fit her.  I did that with an Ithaca 37 20 gauge for my son and then put the original stock back on it when his arms got long enough.  This year my 13 year old daughter will shoot it with the short stock on it.  She is also shooting a BPS in 28 but will quickly figure out the 20 will work a little better, although she killed her first duck on the youth weekend with the 28.

I'm partial to Ithacas, especially the Ohio made ones now.  Bought my son a 28 and had it custom engraved for his graduation present, they'll have to split them all up when i'm gone.

[Widgeondeke]

My kids shoot the Mossberg 500. We have the youth stock and full size for later. They are good durable guns
But....since you said heirloom.  I'd go with a nice O/U or side by side 

[JLS]

Franchi makes a nice youth model semi-auto.  Very light, but with manageable recoil.  I plan on picking one of these up this winter or in the spring for my girls.

Decent gun for $700.  They offer it in camo and black.

And wood.  Or used to.

[JLS]

If money isn't an object, get her a Beretta 391 or a Citori O/U

[Hermit]

I have a Mossburg 500 and a 870....... I like them both but for ducks and geese I LOVE my 870 {full choke}.

[boneaddict]

THANK YOU everyone for your input, opinions and ideas.   I am sure I'll keep you posted with whatever we do.   If others want to add, please do.   

[MtnMuley]

I just purchased an older  870 Wingmaster 20 guage in mint shape a couple weeks ago.  Fixed modified choke.  Saw it on the rack and couldn't believe the price.  Exactly like the one I grew up on that was lost in a fire.  Absolutely love the looks, feel, and dependability of those guns.  Best gun purchase for me in quite a while. 

[Special T]

I'm thingking of starting my daughter off with a single shot 20 and then she could work her way up to the 20 pump i used as a kid.