Shotgun for a boy
I'm looking for a shotgun for a 12 yr old boy who wants to hunt pheasants/quail. We probably want an inexpensive gun (not a keepsake or a collectable) .410 or 20 gauge. I've hunted all my life but don't really know that much about guns. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Wal- Mart has New England single shot gun 410, 20 and 12 gauge for 80$ 0 -
If he is not use to shooting then get him a 20 or 12 gauge a 410 will be harder for him to hit with.But I to would go for a New England as said.Best of luck. 0 -
The Mossberg Bantam sized 500 in 20 ga would be a good choice. shouldn't cost you over $250. has a shorter length of pull for smaller shooters.
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Seriously consider a Remington 870 youth in 20ga. This would allow for continuous use in to the teen years and the butt stock could be changed as the youngster grows. This also gives the advantage of using choke tubes for different game/clays and provides enough power for small game, waterfowl, and even deer with slugs. The 870 is a proven work horse and is very easy to take apart for cleaning. I would not go smaller than 20ga and a 12ga at this time may be too big. You can also install a longer plug to make this a single shot while the shooter is still in the learning stages of gun/hunter safety. My dad bought me my first gun when I was 9 (many many yaers ago). It was an H&R topper 20ga single shot which was great at the time, but the 870 youth would be more versatile. 0 -
I'd look for either a good USED Mossberg mod. 500 or a Remington 870. I wouldn't try for a "youth" model, IF he likes hunting he can grow into either of these models and you won't have to cough up another weapon. And lastly I'd go with a 12ga. It's recoil is basically is no higher in these models and cost and availability is no problem either. YES the .410 is lighter, but cost is a major problem also the ability to hit something maybe discouraging. My $0.02 anyway, Good Luck! ...Mark
"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"0 -
The single shot or 870 20 ga. is great advise. I had one when I was 12 and still shoot it now.
However, if the 20 has to much kick you may wish to consider a 28 ga shotgun. The pattern is better than a 20, the shot wt. is 3/4-7/8 oz. which is close to the 20, and it handles better and kicks far less. The .410, although a good starter ga., has a strighter pattern (making it harder to hit a moving target) and he will outgrow this fast if he keeps hunting.
Negatives to a 28 include more expensive ammo, and a harder to find weapon. A 28 is normally seen in the hands of very experienced shooters rather then starters because of the comfort and handling, but I started my sons with this and found it to be almost perfect for training and fun.
Have him try a 20 first before buying and he may be OK right off.
Best of luck.0 -
Depending on his size you may even want to consider a full size model. Take him to a gun shop and see what fits him. I'm also a fan of the Remington 870, i shot a full size one since I was about ten. I got a 870 wingmaster and still shoot it today. I've never had any problems with it and I think you can get an express model for around 250.
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-Beck (1993)0 -
Get the 870 youth. That was my first shotgun and i used it well into adulthood (changed to a full length stock and was ready to go). 870s are simple and realitively inexpensive and remington is one of the few manufacturers that makes decent stuff. It's not as glamourous as a browning or benelli, but it's the best deal going for the $$$. I'd go with the 20 simply because the ammo is so much cheaper (although the 28 ga is a sweet shooter) and 20 ga ammo is also easy to find (some small town shops only carry 12 and 20 shells...) The 870 youth comes with a pad, so recoil is negligable with the 20. 0 -
Depending on his size, I'd go with a regular Mossburg 500 combo. Really like buying 4 guns (3 choke tubes plus for the smooth barrel, plus a rifled barrel), and it runs about 150 less than the 870 Express combo. He'll use it forever. 0 -
My first shotgun was a Mossberg bolt action 410. Used bolt actions are almost always a good price, especially the Sears or Monkey Wards brands. I don't think 410 is enough gun for pheasant, but I took out many a quail with mine.
"Happiness is a warm gun." The Beatles
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