Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns 20 gauge opinions

Hey Gang,

I am beginning my search for a 20 gauge for my young son. I’m currently considering the Remington Sportsman, Weatherby SA-08, Mossberg SA-20, and Tristar. Anyone have a strong opinion on any of these?

is this his first firearm?

max cost?

Set on a semi auto?

He has a .410 single shot that he is is using currently to hunt squirrels with. He shoots a Henry .22, .223, and a .30-30 with reduced recoil loads also.

I would like to stay under $650.00.

I would prefer a gas operated semi auto for the reduced recoil.

1100 hands down

^^^This^^^

They have a new synthetic version that retails for less than $500

Double "this"...


Stay away from the Mossberg and Tristar..

Thanks fellas!

Used 870 Wingmaster, the pump will make him thank about follow up shots. It will be lighter then the 1100 and I feel safer, easy to see that action open.

It'll also have a lot more recoil than an 1100. Nothing worse than setting a kid up for failure by pounding the snot out of him. If you're worried about safety only let him chamber 1 round at a time.

A lot more, it depends on what you feed the shotgun. Load it up with 3/4 oz loads that your auto will not work with, and you will have A nice light shooting gun.

Or cut a dowel as a plug to limit the capacity to only the chamber or whatever number of rounds you wish up to max. I've done too many times to count.

I would go with the Remington mostly due to long time familiarity. My first choice would be a Beretta 390 or 391 though. They are older models so one would be looking at used. I bought my wife a 390 in 1996 and it is still going strong.

I want to say the Weatherby and the Mossberg are the same guns mechanically. Even though I have heard good things about them I would be hesitant to buy one as my only shotgun due to a history of both companies not supporting their semi-autos very well. Mossberg is particularly poor in this way in my eyes. The last good demiauto was the 1000 which was built by Howa and imported by S&W.

I won't have anything to do with Tristar. They are merely an importer and will change manufacturers as finances dictate. I have other reasons to dislike Tristar and as such pay them no mind.

I would also look at 12 ga guns. With standard 1 oz target loads at 1200 fps or less recoil will be similar to a 20 ga due to the 12 ga being heavier. Depending on the use, a 12 ga might be a better choice too. This is especially true if one is looking at waterfowl as steel shot is more effective in the 12 ga than a 20.

This is my thought as well.

The older ones are better. I would scour used racks and the ‘net for a nice one.

I think the 1100 is heavy.

There is an ad in the classifieds for a new / old 870. New in the box---20 gauge Magnum. 26" barrel with screw in choke tubes. I don't know how to post the link. $550 It's post by----jpterry

If you were to compare a Mossberg SA-20 or Tristar Viper G2 (they are literally the same gun rebadged by two good companies) to a Remington 1100, then I am very certain you would choose the first two over the Remington every day of the week.

The Mossberg/Tristar is the easy choice here.

The Remington 1100 would come in a long way to the rear of a lot of other guns as well, such as a Win SX3 or Benelli Monte if you would take an inertia gun.

The Weatherby, Mossberg and Tristar are all branded versions of the same turkish shotgun. All are designed after the Beretta 303 and are very good shotguns. Every test I have seen rates all three very high. I would stay away from any new Remington firearm.

My recommendation would be the Mossberg.

The Weatherby SA-08 is not exactly the same gun as the Mossberg/Tristar.

It has some slightly different internals under the forend.

The main difference though is the carrier button concept. The Weatherby has a button alongside the triggerguard that functions like a Benelli/Beretta carrier shell release. If you like that feature then get the Weatherby.

If you like just a plain old load/unload autoloader, then get the Mossberg/Tristar. I would agree, that I would get the Mossberg brand because they seem to always have nice wood on them.

My youngest daughter likes a 28ga 870 and chose that after shooting both a 28 ga 11-48 and a 20ga 1100.

I can't imagine a youngster not liking an 870 28ga or 20ga.




DMc : )

PS: Just cut her name into her stock...

Middle daughter loves her 1100 20 ga!!!




DMc : )