Boito Hiker 410 12 inch barrel for a kid

T

target-practice-canada

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Has anyone had a chance to try out the Boito Hiker 410 single shot with their kid? How did it go? My son is 12 and my single shot 20 gauge is a bit too much after a few shots for him, so am thinking about getting a 410 that is small.
 
A gas operated semi auto 20 gauge would be a much better choice. I have seen youngsters with the short 410s, and they soon became frustrated trying to hit clays.
 
Recoil on a .410 is negligible. But they do have a sharp "crack" that's not like larger bore shotguns, and this is made worse by a short barrel.

I'm a huge fan of short barrel shotguns (I have multiple short 12 gauges, a short 20 gauge, a couple of short .410s, not the Boito, Turkish single shot .410s). But I'm not sure that they're great "learning" guns. They're harder to aim (shorter sight plane), and they pattern wider in general (though not as much wider as some would have you believe).

Mossberg makes a .410 pump, (the 510 Mini Super Bantam Field Pump , which comes in .410 or 20 gauge) with a full length barrel and an adjustable stock. A fair bit more expensive than a Boito, but at around $450, still pretty reasonable for a quality gun. It would get him used to the techniques of a pump shotgun, which would serve him well in the long run. It would be a far better overall multipurpose gun than any single shot.

Keep in mind, you're looking at $0.75/shot and up for factory .410 ammo, so it's going to cost a lot more to use than a 20 gauge.
 
Go find Brobee's threads with his two daughters.
Great info there on how to start your youngsters with shotguns.
I tried the .410 route with Thing 2.
Ended up buying the kid a 12 gauge.
Less frustration this way.
 
I picked up one of the Boito 410 Hikers on the EE last year and it is a nice little shotgun to pack around as it is so compact. I got it to use on grouse and it is perfect for tossing in the backpack. The recoil is not bad at all but they are a little loud as you are quite close to the muzzle with the very short barrel.
 
I bought a boito for my son and he was 11 at the time - its a great little gun to start them on and although he was scared more before he shot it - after a few shots he smiled and was proud of himself
- good luck with yours son !
 
I started my grandson with a Hiker 410. It was good to start with because he was small, and the guns size did not over power his strength to hold it and shoot safely. He now uses a 20 ga pump.
 
Definitely need ear protection for every shot. I had one. Nasty little buggers, very loud. I also have a 12 ga. lever, short barrel. Now, that is loud.
 
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