Thread: Beginners gun

Originally Posted by 25/08IMP

Don't just buy a shotty cause its cheap, most of all it must fit your son, other wise he will find it very hard to hit anything.
The 20g is a good option as you can use lead and not steel on ducks. This is what I found when I went through this with my son he started with a .410 single then a .410 s/s and onto a Rem 12g pump such an under rated gun and safer than a semi.
Just my thoughts.

I think this is good advice. A Remington 870 pump in 20g shooting 1oz. loads would be a great first shotgun. The youth or compact model has a shorter stock if the standard model is too long for your boy.

Not sure about the Rem 870 being under-rated;it is the most popular shotgun in the world with over 10 million sold!

Originally Posted by rockland

I think this is good advice. A Remington 870 pump in 20g shooting 1oz. loads would be a great first shotgun. The youth or compact model has a shorter stock if the standard model is too long for your boy.

Not sure about the Rem 870 being under-rated;it is the most popular shotgun in the world with over 10 million sold!

i agree i like my 870 pump managed to get on in left hand for about $600.00

i love remy 870,s but for a first time not often used gun maybe not especially in 20 gauge since docs decided thier rules are above f&g,s on land they own/manage.
no subgauge lead on doc land
i use the 20 870 cos my shouldsers stuffed and the lighter but not to light wieght,
with the advent of youth 12,s and upgrading options[ ie stock extensions replacement barrels]as the boy grows that would be my choice.
you can use 2.5 inch lead shells and the lighter fast 2 3/4inch steel loads with the option of moving to 3 inch shells should you need them which to be honest you probably wont for 99%of your shooting.
dont go for superlight 12,s theyre a devil in disguise
there are were a few 26 inch barrelled 12 gauge baikal over and unders floating about with opened up for steel chokes.
the 2 i have shot are very effective game guns if only 2 3/4 inch chambers but with load good selection i have shot pidgeons parries canadas and feral geese with them.
stay away from single shots most are poorly designed for comfortable shooting and to tightly choked to be effective especialy for a starter gun

Just to refresh. He's really starting to get toey now. Have considered a mossberg 20g pump. I've never shot or had anything to do with pump action shotty, so your opinions/comments would be valuable.
Or the compact 870

No get him a double barrel O/U and get it fitted! He will hit more and get kicked less. Plus you can see when it's safe
Not sure of your location, so can't help with a good smith.
But you and he, will give you a big pat on the back if you do get it fitted

OK my take on this a pump may be fine but he will probably spend more time concentrating working the action and not swinging on the birds a 20g double would be great but finding one for 300 will be a misson so for the money a 12g mediem weight sxs most likly a 30 year old spainish gun no real collector value so cut the stock down to fit (most important that it fits )and keep the cut off and add it back when it becomes to short for him dont load him up with heavy loads 30 32gram loads will be fine and get him used to judging distances.I like youngsters to start out with doubles a broken open gun is a safe gun ,most of these guns will be choked 1/2 and full and scince this is going to be a learners gun i would knock a couple of inches off the barrels not worth paying someone to bore out a 300 shottie he will have more success with the open chokes and will be fine for steel and again get him to judge distances now remember this is a cheap learners gun and i wouldnt do this to a good b gun etc but the gun will get used and knocked around a bit and its a stepping stone so no tears when bangs and dings happen

Another option is to contact your local clay target club. There are often guns available for sale and which are better suited for children.