Home Forums Birds & Dogs Shotguns Best shotgun option for kid? Pump or semiauto

My dad started me out with a side by side and I still have several nice side by sides.

GREAT pics, luv2safari!

And the last kid you saw built like you was how old?

The point is the NEF's have less drop at comb and heel than most shotguns on the market today. I don't have trouble getting my eye down along the barrel on any of the multiple pumps and doubles I have here.

I'm going to suggest the pump. It's one major disadvantage for a young shooter is that it lacks the recoil reduction of a semi-auto, but with 7/8 pz loads a 20 isn't too bad in a pump. I had a close call with a semi-auto when a kid, didn't get hurt, but got excited and after the first shot forgot I had a reloaded and ready to go shotgun in my hands. Another reason I like a pump even today is that when sharptail hunting, I'm often walking across uneven ground with lots of brush. I like to carry the pump with a loaded magazine, empty chamber, trigger pulled so the slide lock is disengaged. I can work that pump as fast as I can release a safety on a surprise flush it seems to me, and I like the security of an empty chamber when walking long distances over uneven ground in the prairie.

Good timing for this thread as I was thinking about this very topic today.

IMO the biggest problem with most single shot shotguns is the hammer. Having to lower the hammer on a loaded gun after cocking but not firing isn't ideal for a young hunter.

As someone mentioned in an earlier post, any gun can function as a single shot, either via a plug in a repeater or merely loading just one shell.

I like the idea of a gas-operated semi-auto for reducing recoil, but I'm wondering about the transition from loading only one (single shot mode) to loading two (repeater mode). For that transition a pump might be better. I don't think there's one best choice - each has pros and cons as evidenced by opinions on this thread.

From my personal experience I don't recommend a .410 for flying targets, but besides that I think any gauge would work with light enough loads for a beginner.

Thank you to everyone contributing their thoughts.

I like the idea of a single shot as others have said the problem is generally the guns are so light. What do you guys think of making a plug for a pump or auto that blocks the whole magazine making it a single shot. It would be quite easy to do.

yes, that would be easy and effective to make it a 1 shot trainer.

I do not see the need for a plug if the kid is getting reasonable attention.

The Mossberg 500 bantam I mentioned earlier comes from the factory with a full length plug in the magazine, limiting it to a single shot. The stock dimensions are also meant for kids in every way. Unlike a cut down adult stock, the pistol grip is smaller in circumference and positioned closer to the trigger so a small hand can get a good grip and small fingers don't have to stretch to reach the trigger. The forearm is also positioned closer to the receiver so short arms don't have to stretch to work the action. All in all, a much better choice for a small child than any cut down adult sized gun and better than most other youth guns.

Blackheart. The Mossberg 500 bantam would be a great choice.

this is very good advise X2, I would only allow this youngster one shell at a time in his shotgun. I told my son his Mossberg 20 gauge pump was a single shot for a year but kids figure it out its a 3 shot quickly. , I also ported his shotgun right away and put a mercury reducer in stock too.Pete53

A Mossberg for a kid is child abuse!

My nephew ain't a spoiled brat so was mighty appreciative of the Mossberg as well he should be. It's alot better than anything his father or I got. We had to buy our own first shotguns when we were kids. Not a darn thing wrong with a Mossberg anyway if you aren't a snob. I've still got two of them, one fron the '60's and one from the '90's. Both have been hunted a ton, killed lots of game and still work perfect after thousands of rounds.