To me, there’s still a good bit of recoil with a 20 gauge over and under, single shot or pump. I would go with a Beretta or Remington automatic, which significantly reduces recoil . There are plenty of aftermarket stocks for those, especially the Remington, either youth model or cut one down. I still use a 20 gauge automatic for bird hunting because I enjoy the lower recoil and lighter weight.

quote:

Originally posted by 1KPerDay:

Single shot NEF-style 20 gauge will REALLY thump him, if you're worried about recoil at all. It's doable but it's not pleasant, particularly with a solid buttplate, which most have. Other than that, not a bad choice. They're not refined but at least the NEF/H&R type are quality firearms. The current crop of turkish fold-in-half $100 guns I wouldn't consider personally.

All very true. I am less concerned about actual recoil and more concerned with getting a gun that will fit well (LOP and OAL) which will reduce felt recoil.

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
To me, there’s still a good bit of recoil with a 20 gauge over and under, single shot or pump. I would go with a Beretta or Remington automatic, which significantly reduces recoil . There are plenty of aftermarket stocks for those, especially the Remington, either youth model or cut one down. I still use a 20 gauge automatic for bird hunting because I enjoy the lower recoil and lighter weight.

This is still a much more expensive proposition. It has become hard to find an 1100 for under $750, especially a 20 ga.

At some point, also, the kid is going to have to sack up and realize that a little recoil is the trade-off for watching the birds fold. I just don't want to let it deter him when he is not big enough.

The citori will likely still be too heavy for awhile, and expensive to make that stock change. I solved this problem with a vintage Remington 1100 LT 20. The upside is that youth and replacement stocks are relatively affordable, but I didn’t need it because my older son was huge at 12. Now at 16 he shoots winter league with me and sometimes gets to shoot my 725.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
I just don't like cheap guns...

It sounds like you already have your answer.

Not sure what your budget is, but a 28ga semi auto would be perfect. Hardly any recoil and a joy to shoot.

Beretta 20 gauge semiautomatic is my suggestion too. They are reliable, low maintenance, and soft shooting guns. If you can find a used gun you can eventually sell it and get your money back.

Go with an AL390/3901 or newer model.

You might find it to be a keeper.

quote:

Originally posted by SigJacket:
NEF or H&R Pardner 20g single.

I, and my 2 sons, all learned to hunt birds and small game on one of these. Barrel cut and recrowned at 20". Made the front end lighter and took out the full choke recoil. You get used to the wider pattern. I think you get better, faster, knowing you have only one shot. I had (still have) extra stocks with varied LOP. Now, aftermarkets are available. Still take it out every now and then for rabbits. Still fun. Oldest grandson will be using it this fall for his first too.

What would I do?

That OU is cleaned and in the safe.
Hit a pawn shop or depending on your relationship with your LGS; see if you cant find a used Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. let them learn on that, then when you break out the OU, let them know the significance and history of the gun.

plus eleventy on the 870/500 (or even an older Winchester if available)
stocks easy to get,
cut one short to fit, as he grows, do it again, and as mentioned,, when he is bigger and still interested, move over to the OU

~20 years ago, and after trying a lot of different options, a 20ga Stoeger Condor youth O/U, was the Goldilocks gun for my son. I had the stock shortened to fit with a thick soft recoil pad, and had the internals slicked up a bit to work with lower powered loads (so it would switch barrels after the first shot was fired). Fiocchi 20ga “Lite” shells, help with the recoil. This worked until he was big/strong enough to handle a cut down Beretta 391.

At the time, we found the single barrel break open options too light and kicked like a mule, the 1100/11-87 too heavy, and Remington/Mossberg pumps kicked too hard, and were a little complicated for a young kid. The Stoeger O/U was obviously safe when open, and set the safety when opened/closed.

I was amused with how excited Briley (at the time local and close to my house) seemed to be, to make an inexpensive O/U (and later a Beretta 391) fit and work for my son. They treated my son like a king, and acted as if it was a very nice O/U.


https://stoegerindustries.com/...dor-compact-shotguns

https://fiocchiusa.com/shotshe...namics/20lite75.html

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jlb226,