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A few weeks ago, my neighbor invited my daughter and me to shoot some blue rock with his son. Our kids are the same age (11 years old) and often pal around together. I still have a Model 870 from when I was a kid that had the stock cut down, but it has a 28" barrel. I brought it along because it's the closest thing I own to a youth shotgun. My neighbor's son has a newer-vintage Youth Model 870 with a 21" barrel.
My old Model 870 was just too long/heavy for my slightly-built daughter, and she couldn't hold it up without leaning way back in a very poor shooting position. We quickly abandoned that option, and she and my neighbor's son took turns shooting his 20 ga. youth model.
Anyway, they invited us to a youth trap shoot in a few weeks, and my daughter wants to go. My neighbor offered for her to use his son's shotgun, but they might be shooting at different stations at the same time, which won't work.
I've thought about getting her a Youth Model 870 because she seemed to do okay with it (they even make a pink laminated stock model), but I see that Browning also makes youth shotguns, including a 20 ga. and 28 ga. BPS. The 28 ga. BPS with either a 24" or 26" barrel has me intrigued. The problem I see with the 21" barreled M870 is that my daughter might outgrow the shotgun within a year or two, although I guess a longer 870 replacement barrel wouldn't be hard to find.
A gas-operated autoloader would provide softer recoil, but I am not in position to spend $1,200 or more to get my daughter into a youth gun that she may or may not continue shooting.
What do you recommend for a decent quality first shotgun for a soon-to-be 12 year-old? Thank you.
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Don't roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Campfire Outfitter
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you got the answer... "The problem I see with the 21" barreled M870 is that my daughter might outgrow the shotgun within a year or two, although I guess a longer 870 replacement barrel wouldn't be hard to find." go with the 20 ga, and don't look back... 
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Look around for a used Rem 1100 or 11-87 20 ga. youth model. Rugged as hell and the parts that do wear are cheap and easy to replace. They work well in our 4-H trap program. They are a little heavy relatively speaking since they have steel receivers but that shouldn't be a problem if the 870 works for her. Youth models are nice because with the shorter barrel they balance compared to a cut down adult shotgun. And when she's ready for another someone else will be looking for a used youth model 20.
(The only real difference is the 11-87 has a gas relief valve so the 11-87 can shoot 2-3/4" and 3" shells with the same barrel.)
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
Which explains a lot.
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Thank you for the replies and suggestions.
Does anyone know whether most 20 ga. autoloaders will function reliably with very light loads (e.g. 2 3/4" 3/4 oz. or 7/8 oz.)?
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After scouring the Internet for reviews, this looks like a solid recommendation. The shotgun comes with separate pistons for light and heavy loads, and it can be purchased new for under $500. It generally gets very good reviews without hardly any negative reviews at all.
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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We've been shooting Winchester Super Target 2-3/4" 2-1/2 dram with 7/8 oz. of #8 as we can get the best price for the 4-H kids. Works fine in the 1100, 11-87 and Franchi 720 Youth. Recoil is mild enough for anyone.
BTW the 720 is a dandy little gas operated shotgun that Pheasants Forever (a thankful plug) gave us. Alloy receiver so lighter but is discontinued and a used one will cost you more than a Remington.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
Which explains a lot.
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Campfire Ranger
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On the SA-08 Youth one of our shooters has one. Looks good and works with the aforementioned shells. That's all I know about it, particularly on how well it will stand up to heavy trap use. Some Turkish shotguns have had problems with heavy use but that's too general to draw ANY conclusions, just something to consider. But most kids don't shoot more than two or three rounds of trap a week.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
Which explains a lot.
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Joined: May 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Forgot to mention service. A friend has had problems with a Stoger Condor (made in Turkey) breaking firing pins. The pins are easily replaced but seem to be unobtainium. The best Stoger can do is send a replacement shotgun a bunch of weeks later. No idea how good Weatherby service is, maybe someone here will jump in.
The key elements in human thinking are not numbers but labels of fuzzy sets. -- L. Zadeh
Which explains a lot.
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Campfire Kahuna
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A few weeks ago, my neighbor invited my daughter and me to shoot some blue rock with his son. Our kids are the same age (11 years old) and often pal around together. I still have a Model 870 from when I was a kid that had the stock cut down, but it has a 28" barrel. I brought it along because it's the closest thing I own to a youth shotgun. My neighbor's son has a newer-vintage Youth Model 870 with a 21" barrel.
My old Model 870 was just too long/heavy for my slightly-built daughter, and she couldn't hold it up without leaning way back in a very poor shooting position. We quickly abandoned that option, and she and my neighbor's son took turns shooting his 20 ga. youth model.
Anyway, they invited us to a youth trap shoot in a few weeks, and my daughter wants to go. My neighbor offered for her to use his son's shotgun, but they might be shooting at different stations at the same time, which won't work.
I've thought about getting her a Youth Model 870 because she seemed to do okay with it (they even make a pink laminated stock model), but I see that Browning also makes youth shotguns, including a 20 ga. and 28 ga. BPS. The 28 ga. BPS with either a 24" or 26" barrel has me intrigued. The problem I see with the 21" barreled M870 is that my daughter might outgrow the shotgun within a year or two, although I guess a longer 870 replacement barrel wouldn't be hard to find.
A gas-operated autoloader would provide softer recoil, but I am not in position to spend $1,200 or more to get my daughter into a youth gun that she may or may not continue shooting.
What do you recommend for a decent quality first shotgun for a soon-to-be 12 year-old? Thank you. Go for a youth model 870 and do not look back. The BPS is a very good shotgun and my first suggestion for lefties because of the downward ejection port. I have also found them durable and forgiving in their diet. the only downside though is a biggie... They kick far harder than they need to. Short 870 barrels are cheap and fairly easy to come by. Long 870 barrels can be turned into short, tubed barrels for less than a C-note, tube selection included. Autoloaders of most flavors will leave you chasing failures to load and dirty ports...
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
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X2 We(The B.C. Wildlife Fed) hold a weekend "boot camp" SA08s with 26" barrels and all the kids are fine with them, they are light and come up nice, we are buying 2 more this year. My wife has one and we have put 1000s of rounds through it(both lead and steel) with out a hiccup. They run in the 5-$600 range a lot of scatter gun for a little money. They come with a light and heavy gas piston and will shoot light 2.5" target load to 3" Heavy Shot steel with a 2 min piston change
BORN to HUNT
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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if auto loader is a possibility then I would also look at the Franchi 720, it is set up as a youth/ladies shotgun and they are very soft shooting guns. will handle heavi or light loads just turn the piston around for whichever you will be shooting. I had the 712 and was very pleased.
Help keep our sport going. take a kid outdoors!
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Joined: Sep 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I won an Escort youth shotgun 20ga semi at a banquet and while not an example of the gunmakers art it is completely functional and shoots pretty well. I shot a round of skeet with it and while short hit 20 or 22. It has stock inserts to get a good fit. I consider it a disposable long term but at the price...
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I have a Remington 11-87 Youth 20 ga., which would fit your needs perfectly. I know they are around $700 new (Canada) but I picked it up for $400 barely used. Works great, shoots soft, works fine for trap or skeet with choke tubes. I've had zero issues with it. Works great for ducks as well.
You've discovered why Youth models have such short barrels - to balance the shortened butt. A full-sized gun is hard enough for a kid to handle, and making the butt shorter (and lighter) makes it even worse.
It takes a village to raise an idiot.
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Campfire Ranger
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Find the shot gun and then give her the chance to hit clays. That best chance of doing that is to have Her stand on top of the trap house and have the machine set on straightaways from under Her feet. Even slow the birds down if the club will do that.
Back on the 16 yard line with all the trap angles is a recipe for frustration for a new young shooter.
laissez les bons temps rouler
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I would think a Mossberg 500 pump would be a good candidate. I have been shooting one for 26 years without issue.
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