Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Recommend first shotgun for a teen boy?

Excellent info, as I knew we could get here at the 'Fire. Keep it coming as you think of stuff to add. I talked to his dad yesterday and grandson is willing to save up more for higher quality if he thinks that is worthwhile. I might be willing to subsidize him a bit...

A question: Does the stock on the basic Benelli Nova absorb recoil like the stock does on a Super Nova? I can't tell for sure from reading their sales blurbs. I shot a high end Benelli auto a few years ago and was amazed at the low recoil that stock delivers.

FWIW I agree re not putting semi-autos in the hands of newbies. Even though a 10/22 is hard to resist, we have started my kids and grandkids on single shot or bolt .22 rifles. I've seen several instances of people who should know better taking out the magazine and leaving a hot round in the chamber of a 10/22 or other semi-auto. But I digress...

Old 870 Wingmaster and 2 3/4inch if that is what you find will do just fine.

Get him a used 1100 20 gauge with a imp or mod fixed. he can shoot anything with 2 3/4 inch stuff to normal shotgun ranges.

The grandson has shot clay pigeons quite a bit with several shotguns belonging to friends, mostly 12 gauge, which is partly why he wants to buy one himself.

The Benelli Nova low end pump shotgun does NOT come with the recoil reducing stock, so nix that query.

Mossberg 500 would be my suggestion as well. It has served me well, with no issues at all for about 20 years so far (iirc) and has interchangeable barrels. Rifled for sabots, smooth for shot or foster slugs, and more barrels available. Mine was new in the $500.00 range.
If recoil was the issue, a Browning A5 is hard to beat, but not recommended for a new shotgunner.

benelli nova x3
I grew up on a 870 and shoot them better but the quality is questionable these days also if he starts out on a nova he'll never know the difference .

Take him out shopping for one and let him shoulder different ones and then he can pick it out. He will let ya know which one feels right to him. He might already have one in mind. I bet he has been talking to all his friends about shotguns also. If he gets a synthetic butt stock model . Take off the recoil pad and stuff the hollow with a long screwdriver with jammed in Wal-Mart bags and one pound of fishing sinkers . Use 1 oz sinkers wrap each in a bag and surround with others for pad around em . Put most of em along the inside of the comb line, and about 4oz down in the toe. Tames down recoil and improves balance to right under receiver in natural center of gravity of gun. Just a suggestion that has worked for me on various shotguns. A Simms pad in combo with this works extremely well. And what this does for a 835 turkey gun recoil with 2 oz loads is amazing. I have used this method on a 935 and a h&r excell auto. Also have done this to .22 target rifles to add weight for a more stable rifle on bags and better center of gravity / balance.

Good stuff! Thank you! I have thought about doing something like that to add weight but never have. When working up loads I put a large, soft strap-on leg weight between my shoulder and the rifle butt and it reduces recoil considerably. The weight does far more to tame the recoil than the added padding.

The more I have looked into this the more I am wanting to buy a Benelli Super Nova pump for myself!

Get the boy a stoeger 3500 in maxx5 camo.

Update: Got word today that the young man bought a Winchester Model 12. He came across one in good shape at a good price and knew enough of what he wanted to buy it.

Good enough. Is he going to shoot steel shot through it?

I've no idea. Is that bad to shoot steel from an older shogun?

He lives about a four hour drive from me and I was figuring to look at shotguns with him when I go down next week. I haven't owned a shogun for years but after checking out some shotguns for him I am leaning strongly toward picking up a Benelli Super Nova pump for myself by next Fall.

Can't think of a better choice!



DMc

Smart young man. Tell him the next Model 12 16Ga he comes across to buy it also.

I was going to say a older 870 or Ithaca 37

20 gauge 870

I see the kid bought one...good choice on the model 12

That is great news! I bet he grows to love that shotgun. I second battue’s comment as well.

Yes, it can be quite "bad" to use steel in an older shotgun that has a tight choke. It can bulge the barrel near the choke.

Don't overlook a 20 gauge. Unless he is a dedicated waterfowler, a 20 will handle all upland game, skeet and sporting clays and neither overburden him with it's bulk or kick the snot out of him.

Don't want the lad to develop a flinch, do we?

Unless he is a very experienced gun handler, a pump (or even an over/under) would be a better choice than an autoloader for teens first shotgun. And unless he has adult length arms, consider a youth model or shorten the LOP. You can always get another buttstock later on when he grows some more.