Shotgun for the kids?

rocklobster

rocklobster

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I am looking to fill a spot in the cabinet and the kids will soon be in need of a bird gun. 20 gauge would be best I think.

If I get a 2 barrel set I may be able to use the rifled barrel for shotgun only deer hunting with family (although I don't go hunting over that way much).

I have been looking at the 870 compact and the Mossy 500 compact 2 barrel sets and they seem okay even if a bit run of the mill. The Mossy combo I can get for $399 and the 870 combo looks to be a little more than $600. I know that the 870 is better but is it over $200 better?

I was selfishly shopping and came across the alternate idea of buying a BPS upland special in 20 Gauge and using it in the mean time and then purchase a small or cut down butt stock along the way to put on when the kids use it. The one problem with the BPS is that it looks to weigh a bit more. The weights are listed as follows:
Mossy - 5.25 lb
BPS U.S. - 6 lb 12 oz
870 - 6 lbs for plastic 6.5 for laminate.

The BPS would be a bit heavy for youngins but for the long run having a nice upland special to grow into may be better? The mossy is alot cheaper and very light too, but I guess recoil may be an issue to think of too.

Anything I am missing here? FYI I also looked into the Benelli Nova compact but it is not very compact...

Or should I just go all out and get the citori micro midas...
 
I will start by saying a couple things - I sell rifles/shotgun so assemble shotguns for the showcase (so know that you have to contort and shove to get some of them together right out of the box, which might say something about fit/finish) and due to a bad customer service experience with Winchester I haven't bought anything "Winchester" for almost 30 years.

There is nothing wrong with either the Mossberg or the 870 (and assume you are talking Express here) - they are ok, million have been sold, they function fine.

I personally wouldn't buy either.

The Winchester SXP Field Compact (if you are looking youth sized) comes in three barrel length's - 24, 26 or 28 and is a way better fit/finish gun than either of the two above. It's just plain "nice" for a shotgun at that price point. If I didn't have such a hate on for Winchester I would have got the (non-compact) model myself when I bought a new 20 gauge last year - they really are nice (but to be fair, if the Mossy and the 870 Express were my "only" other choices, I would have relented and bought the Winchester).

Another very overlooked shotgun is the Weatherby PA-08 - my opinion is that it's better than the Mossberg or the Remington and at least on par with the Winchester - but we are talking entry level guns here. The PA-08 also comes in a youth version in either wood or synthetic.

I would place the SXP and the PA-08 at a mid point between an 870 Express and a Wingmaster or BPS in terms of fit/finish (but their price point is down in the basement with the 870 Express and the 500's).

The BPS is not in the same "class" as any of them above, so it's really unfair to try and "compare" them.

And do agree, the BPS is "heavy" feeling compared to many others - even the Upland special with it's 24" barrel feels heavy, maybe because there is less weight out front than with longer barreled shotguns and it's more balance than real weight that I feel.
 
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I have had both for my girls well thy were growing up. Both work well. Now my girls are shooting a sa20 mossy .and love it .A 20g pump is still going to have a pretty good recoil with goose loads and turkey loads .that for sure. Kids seem to do better with the mossy safety as thy can see it ...Dutch
 
galamb said:
And do agree, the BPS is "heavy" feeling compared to many others - even the Upland special with it's 24" barrel feels heavy, maybe because there is less weight out front than with longer barreled shotguns and it's more balance than real weight that I feel.
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The BPS Upland in 20 Gauge is listed as having a 22" barrel. I was shying away from anything longer than 22" just to keep the balance reasonable. I like Winchester alot but their shortest barrel compact is 24" - same as the Nova.

Yeah I know the BPS is another step above the entry levels, but it would still be useful as the children grow up, and possibly hold value better.

Getting a semi may be a good option to soak up some recoil Dutch.
 
I wouldn't buy a compact anything, let alone an 870 or mossberg 500.
Get them something they are going want to shoot, not something that will take their arm off.
My grandkids shot a BT99, Remington 3200 premier, citori field, and trap, all 12 gauge.
 
About the only company that makes a proper dimensioned "youth" gun is Browning! All others simply cut 1.5" off the stock and throw a shorter barrel on and call it good...well it's not! The Browning's typically have a higher comb that makes a much more pleasant shooter for youngsters and ladies. I would go for the BPS, although since you're not in a rush, save up for a few more months and get the 20ga Browning Silver Micro Midas. It's a gun they'll be able to shoot without getting pounded. Also stick to light target loads and try avoid field loads until they are a little accustomed to the gun.
 
VLT79 said:
About the only company that makes a proper dimensioned "youth" gun is Browning! All others simply cut 1.5" off the stock and throw a shorter barrel on and call it good...well it's not! The Browning's typically have a higher comb that makes a much more pleasant shooter for youngsters and ladies. I would go for the BPS, although since you're not in a rush, save up for a few more months and get the 20ga Browning Silver Micro Midas. It's a gun they'll be able to shoot without getting pounded. Also stick to light target loads and try avoid field loads until they are a little accustomed to the gun.
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This^^^and I will add your concerns about weight saving are well founded. I can understand your thinking but lighter is going to transfer to more felt recoil, sometimes quite a significant amount.
 
the spank said:
This^^^and I will add your concerns about weight saving are well founded. I can understand your thinking but lighter is going to transfer to more felt recoil, sometimes quite a significant amount.
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i agree, but they got to be able to hold it up spanky. shootin light loads definitely helps.
 
My opinion is that if they can't hold a 6lbs gun then they are too small to get started into shotgunning. A lighter gun is a poor option as the harsher recoil tends to cause flinching, a habit that is near impossible to lose afterwards.
 
Agree with the folks recommending the browning, as well look at semis vs pumps, the semis have much less recoil then pumps. My 90 lbs daughter loves my browning silver 20g due to the light recoil and weight, she had a Ithica 20 pump now all she shoots is the browning.
 
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I started mine with semi 28ga 1100's but I had lots of them so it was easy for me . If I had to buy a firearm I would buy a semi 20ga for them one with choke tubes
Cheers
 
I was going to buy my soon to be 9 son a 20 gauge shotgun until I realized it had far too much recoil for him.

I just looked at that Browning being recommended paying $1400 for a youth shotgun that's going to get beat is out of the question.

After going thru all this I ended up buying him a Puma M92 16" barreled Trapper lever action in 44mag instead I'll get him into shotguns larger than 410 when he is a lot older/bigger.
 
When I was 10 my Dad bought me a Remington 870 Youth. The shorter LOP stock and shorter barrel make it fit smaller frames well. Swap out the stock for a full-length stock and you have a great little upland gun. And you still have the short stock set if you decide to introduce other ids to shooting later on.
 
I recently bought a mossberg 510 mini bantam in 20 gauge. Stock has a revised grip shape, spacers for length of pull(not pictured)and the pump has been moved back to allow a shorter reach. Fit and finish is on par with my full size 500 and included three chokes. Great little shotgun for my 5'0 girlfriend. She finds full size lop and wieght a tad too much for her after awhile. This thing keeps her enthused all day blasting clays. One of these in muddy girl camo.
ins_Youth500_505_510-EZreach.jpg
 
Well as an update I just got a Mossberg 500 Super Bantam Combo gun in 20 gauge off the EE. I preferred the blued steel barrels over the 870 matte.

I haven't shot the gun yet to feel the recoil, but if it is bad I will wait until the kids are older to introduce it or sell it and get a semi.

I actually think it is a nice handy little upland gun. The only things I don't like about it are the plastic trigger guard and fore end that twists easily.
 
j_06 said:
I recently bought a mossberg 510 mini bantam in 20 gauge. Stock has a revised grip shape, spacers for length of pull(not pictured)and the pump has been moved back to allow a shorter reach. Fit and finish is on par with my full size 500 and included three chokes. Great little shotgun for my 5'0 girlfriend. She finds full size lop and wieght a tad too much for her after awhile. This thing keeps her enthused all day blasting clays. One of these in muddy girl camo.
ins_Youth500_505_510-EZreach.jpg
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I second this one. The 5ft tall gf has one in 20ga, 2bbl combo (rifled and field) both came ported and really helps with felt recoil. Extendable stock for when a longer gun is required too.
 
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