Looking for something in the 20 gauge variety, 3" capacity and something that he can grow with possibly. Not recoil sensitive, has shot many guns and killed deer and shot my 20 gauge sx3 turkey hunting. Open to suggestions, thanks guys.
Looking for a first shotgun for my boy
- Thread starter MR Yote
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deerhunter10
Well-Known Member
Im a benelli and browning guy. I have a montefeltro and m2 in a 20 and love both. Getting an a5 in a 20 this. Have a sbe3 in a 28 that's great to. I'd imagine the 20 is the same. Lots of great options out there now.
Hard to beat an 870 Youth for a first shotgun.
Yeah but the quality of a new one is junk and finding an old one that ain't a new price is tough.
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I'd recommend a Mossberg Bantam. They come with stock shims to shorten/lengthen the LOP.
infoman jr.
Well-Known Member
Define "new one." They don't really make guns anymore.
What's your budget? That's prob the #1 question and # 2 is do you want an auto or pump.
A $400 shot gun is $400 for a reason. That's not to imply it's junk or anything but a stoeger isn't the same as a Benelli even though they are made by Benelli. I only ask about budget cause there is no sense in suggesting a $1800 shotgun if your budget is $600
And by grow with do you mean LOP Adjustments? If so that limits the options a lot unless you plan to just buy an adult stock later.
A $400 shot gun is $400 for a reason. That's not to imply it's junk or anything but a stoeger isn't the same as a Benelli even though they are made by Benelli. I only ask about budget cause there is no sense in suggesting a $1800 shotgun if your budget is $600
And by grow with do you mean LOP Adjustments? If so that limits the options a lot unless you plan to just buy an adult stock later.
This right here, started all my kids with a bantam 20 gauge. Heck I've killed turkeys with it myself.
skipperbrown
Well-Known Member
20 ga single shot. Inexpensive, lightweight, easy to see if it's cocked, breaks open for carry and safety, easy to clean, but what I like is that it teaches you to plan your shot because you probably only have one chance to get it right. If I need a shotgun, I usually pick up a single shot in either 20 or 12 ga.
Yep, that is what I went with.
MickThompson
Well-Known Member
I would rather have a single loaded pump in a young hunter's hands than a single shot with a hammer. The uncocked hammer is the only safety and a lot of young shooters don't have the coordination and hand strength to safely decock 100% of the time
Tnshooter15
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I guess I'm a little nostalgic. I think a boys first shotgun should be a single shot 410. I still remember the day I got mine over 50 years ago. Practically speaking I probably vote for 20 ga. pump
I'm a Remington guy so an 870 is what all mine went with. Then we stepped up to a Franchi Affinity 3. Both are great guns. Just depends on action and budget what to go with.
thirdwilliam
Well-Known Member
Can't go wrong with an older model 870. Bought my grandson an m2 20 gauge and it is a great gun
marty d
Well-Known Member
My first gun was a 20ga H&R. Still have it. Matter of fact I dug it out and stripped the stick this year, steamed out the small dings and dents and getting ready to re-stain and tung oil it. I sent the barrel to Jerrod Trulock with Trulock chokes so he can cut it down and thread it for the perfect turkey choke, and drilling and tapping it for a Sumtoy optic mount. Most likely I will cera coat the action and barrel. And I will take a 45 year old back of the gun safe 20ga and make it my light weight turkey gun. I have pumps but this will just be fun.
I've often thought of this as well. I have a hard enough time at my age to uncock safely.
But I still prefer a single shot, just because that's what I started with.
Good thread.
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A lot depends on what age and size your son is. My son's first shotgun was a Rossi Tuffy .410. He was 5 though. His next shotgun was a Winchester SX4 Compact in 20 gauge. I think that Rossi has an 11.5" LOP and the Winchester is 13", going by memory though.
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Tweeter
Well-Known Member
20ga A5 hands down just a tad over 5 pounds great gun
That's exactly what I started my son on a LW 870.... a single shot pump.
cade
Well-Known Member
Can't go wrong with the new mossberg, they are slick.
Another option stoeger 3020
That's what I bought my son when he was 7 and he's about to be 23 in 11 days. He hasn't hunted with it in forever and I keep telling myself I'm gonna turkey hunt with it but haven't. Good little gun.
J Hartman
Well-Known Member
Franchi. My son shot thousands out of his at trap and it works great. I did buy an upgrade to make it easier to load. The magazine is stiff.
https://www.franchiusa.com/semi-auto-shotguns/affinity-3?eid=355
https://www.franchiusa.com/semi-auto-shotguns/affinity-3?eid=355
Mossberg 500 Turkey Bantam 20g and it comes with a spacer for the stock to allow for growth. Will be the next one I pick up for my daughters once they get big enough to wield a 20ga.
Flyguy79
Member
Have you found one? I have a nice 410 semi auto turkey gun
348Winchester
Well-Known Member
Ithaca model 37 Featherlight. It will last a lifetime for him and his descendants.
Derek
Well-Known Member
I have may grandfathers Ithaca Featherweight 20. He was a quail hunter in MS. It was made in the 40s. It is incredibly light! But, you pay for it when you pull the trigger. lol
348Winchester
Well-Known Member
I have one from the 60's. To me it does not recoil much at all with light loads.
