What is a good shotgun for a Novice

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thurst71

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Shallow Lake, ON
I am looking to get 12ga for my young lad (15 yrs old), he has used my gun in the past (Ithica featherwieght) but I would like to get one for him to use so we can each carry our own now that he can get his own tag. Would be nice to have something with some adjustment like a youth stock that can be changed as he continues to grow.

He is into turkey hunting, and shooting clays & skeet, would also like to get into a little goose hunting. Just a good all purpose gun to get him started, not to expensive.( upto about $600 maybe $700

We have looked at the Remington 870 express, and the Browning BPS Hunter
He does like both, we can get a youth stock for the 870, but may have to cut a little off the stock on BPS (which we don't really want to do, but he does not have a long reach). Have chance to check out a Benelli Nova pump with a Pistol grip, not sure about that one yet.

Any thoughts, ideas and or input would be greatly appreciated (it has been a while since I have looked into a shotgun to buy:redface:).
 
If you plan on spending up to $700 just go with the clear choice the browning BPS. Cutting the stock is easy and you should have that worked into the deal when you buy it if you are buying from a dealer.
 
Your son is likely to grow some more. By all means cut a stock to fit him, nothing worse than learning with a gun that is too long. But cut an "extra" stock and save the original for later. The Browning is very good quality, and if it fits would be a good choice.
One thing to consider with a Remington is the easy availability of used stocks. I bought a good used stock for my 870 for $50 from a local gunsmith. It is now available as a loaner for small stature hunters and I didn't have to cut the original stock of my gun.
 
As much as I find the 870 ugly and plain, that was the gun me and my cousin used to learn on. It's cheap and all configurations are readily available. I'm sure when your son is old enough, he'll blow his paychecks on something nicer.
 
I own 7 Reningtons 870's, some are Wingmasters and some are Express models.
I use these as loaners for a yearly shoot that I put on , and to loan out to smaller sized people.
it is very easy to get different stocks for the 870 as was already mentioned, and the Express barrels have screw in chokes, a plus when looking at the different shotgun sports.

IMO you canoot go wrong with an express!
Cat
 
Thurst, does your son like the look of tactical stocks? If so, you could pick up a Knoxx Spec Ops stock for most pump action shotguns. It has an adjustable LOP from 11.25 to 15.25 inches. That is great for a kid as he grows. Another nice feature is you can get it with a recoil absorption mechanism. I haven't used this stock as of yet, I have one coming in the mail to try it out on my Mossberg 835.
 
What is his height now, and what do you expect it to be? You may be able to find a Youth stock for several models, which is a fairly easy swap. It's so hard to gauge just based on age. Some 15 year-olds look like they're still 12, and others you'd swear are ready to play for the Bombers.
 
he is about 5'3" or there abouts, He is just hitting one of those teenage growth spurts. Not sure what he thinks about the tactical stocks, I will check with him on that. He would like something a little different than "dad's gun" if he can. He would like to get a pump but we are keeping options open yet!!

Keep the information and ideas coming it is very much appreciated.

Thanks and I will keep you posted with his results.
 
thurst71 said:
he is about 5'3" or there abouts, He is just hitting one of those teenage growth spurts. Not sure what he thinks about the tactical stocks, I will check with him on that. He would like something a little different than "dad's gun" if he can. He would like to get a pump but we are keeping options open yet!!

Keep the information and ideas coming it is very much appreciated.

Thanks and I will keep you posted with his results.
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browning bps if it matches his lop. if not get a norinco 870 clone, cut the stock to his lop, then later on as he grows, he can buy a replacement stock.
 
thurst71 said:
he is about 5'3" or there abouts, He is just hitting one of those teenage growth spurts. Not sure what he thinks about the tactical stocks, I will check with him on that. He would like something a little different than "dad's gun" if he can. He would like to get a pump but we are keeping options open yet!!

Keep the information and ideas coming it is very much appreciated.

Thanks and I will keep you posted with his results.
Click to expand...

If you are looking for a fully adjustable stock for hunting (Non-Tactical flavour) you may want to look into ATI's new Akita hunting stock...
http://www.atigunstocks.com/p-167-akita-adjustable-stock-w-buttstock-forend.aspx
 
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