Lightweight Gas 20 ga vs 28 ga Semi or O/U

[bassjam]

I'm looking for something in-between the .410 H&R single shot I have and the Mossberg 500 20ga 26" barrel with a youth stock for my kids as they grow up. Judging from what my oldest went through the .410 was frustrating with it's external hammer and limited range for someone new to hunting, and the 20 ga was too heavy and kicked too much. I also have a 26" 20ga Red Label which she thought was marginally worse. She wasn't comfortable with the 20 ga until she was almost 13, so we really struggled hunting together for a few years.

I have 3 more kids, I want them to have a better experience. The next oldest is 5 and occasionally shoots .22's with me, and she keeps asking when she can shoot a squirrel like her older sister.

Use will be squirrel, rabbit, and the occasional hand thrown clays. I like the idea of a gas operated 20 ga if it's light enough, but I don't want to overlook a 28ga if that's a better option. For the 100-150 rounds a year they'll probably shoot, the extra cost of 28ga shells isn't going to put me in the poor house. I'd like to spend about $600, but realize that might not be realistic so could probably stretch that up to $1000 for the right gun, since like I said it'll hopefully get used by 3 more kids.

 

[rbernie]

My experience was that a light 20ga (48AL / Benelli M2) plus 3/4oz target loads was acceptable for all of the kids. Reducing offhand weight seemed to be the key, and if you're gonna move to a light gun then you have to move to commensurately light loads.

I did not have any of the kids express a preference for the 28ga 870 over the 20ga M2.

 

[George P]

You would want a gas gun over an inertia. That super light Benelli WILL have noticeable recoil, especially to a young kid. Slightly out of your budget, but still worth a look would be the Beretta A400 in 20 or 28 The issue with most of these is going to be gun fit. Even a young kid at 5 will have trouble handling a gun with a youth stock.

 

[Weflyfast]

Doubles have shorter actions and typically fit and balance smaller framed people better than long action auto/pumps- and a good straight stock will reduce felt recoil - take a look at CZ Bobwhite or Ringneck line in either 20 or 28 gauge- used guns are in that price range-. .....they make pretty good stuff for the money-

CZ Ringneck sxs 28 gauge-

 

[cdb1]

I’d get any of these, and in no particular order, all 20 gauges.
Mossberg SA-20 Youth Bantam
Weatherby SA-08 Compact
Winchester SX4 Compact
Browning Silver Micro Midas

 

[Virginian]

My experience is kids are honest, and have not been exposed to all the B.S. about stock fit reducing recoil significantly. The will pick a gas auto over everything else every time is you ask them about the best recoil.
My opinion is you have to wait until a kid reaches a minimum of size and strength. For mine that was 12 and 13. A friend's 12 year old was shooting clay targets with a 12 gauge pump with regular promotional loads. They're all different.

 

[Howland937]

I'd never want to be accused of persuading anyone to NOT buy a new gun...but have you considered trying different recoil pads? Even if you had to trim a stock down on a cheap shotgun to get a good fit for your kid you could always pick up a used stock and switch it back later.

 

[bassjam]

I'd never want to be accused of persuading anyone to NOT buy a new gun...but have you considered trying different recoil pads? Even if you had to trim a stock down on a cheap shotgun to get a good fit for your kid you could always pick up a used stock and switch it back later.

Regardless of recoil, the 500 was just too heavy while she was 10-11 when I started taking her hunting. I'm not opposed to finding a 24" barrel and cutting the youth stock I bought down to add a better pad, but I'm not sure how much removing 2" from the barrel is going to help.

 

[bassjam]

My experience was that a light 20ga (48AL / Benelli M2) plus 3/4oz target loads was acceptable for all of the kids. Reducing offhand weight seemed to be the key, and if you're gonna move to a light gun then you have to move to commensurately light loads.

I did not have any of the kids express a preference for the 28ga 870 over the 20ga M2.

Yes, I made the mistake of letting my oldest use 7/8 oz game loads. Whatever I go with, I need to find lighter loads. I'm not opposed to reloading shotgun shells either.

 

[George P]

My experience is kids are honest, and have not been exposed to all the B.S. about stock fit reducing recoil significantly. The will pick a gas auto over everything else every time is you ask them about the best recoil.
My opinion is you have to wait until a kid reaches a minimum of size and strength. For mine that was 12 and 13. A friend's 12 year old was shooting clay targets with a 12 gauge pump with regular promotional loads. They're all different.

12 or 13 is a LOT different than one as young as 5 or 6

 

[zdc1775]

I think you couldn't go wrong with a 28 O/U for your usage. And you just might find that you prefer it yourself over a heavier recoiling gun. I have the full size version of this Stevens and so far, about 1,000 rounds, it has been perfect.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...28+gauge+24+275+turkish+walnut+stock+black+al

 

[Pivot Dr]

Take a look at a tristar semiauto, great guns, especially for the money. I’ve got a Beretta 391 20 ga and a Tristsr Bronze G2 something or other 12 ga. Haven’t shot either one a lot but have nothing but high praise for both of them.

 

[entropy]

I'd never want to be accused of persuading anyone to NOT buy a new gun...but have you considered trying different recoil pads? Even if you had to trim a stock down on a cheap shotgun to get a good fit for your kid you could always pick up a used stock and switch it back later.

Or buy the extra stock first and cut it down, and pull and save the original.

I bought a TriStar 20 ga Raptor for the 4-H Trap program; light, gas operated, fairly foolproof (It's a Beretta A300 clone), and cleaup is much easier than an 1100. When I test fired it, it ran fine. The only way I could get a failure to feed was to shoot it one handed, holding it like a pistol, which it is light enough to do so with.

 

[cdb1]

I didn’t mention Tristar in my earlier post because I’ve never seen one, much less shot one. I’ve heard enough about them though that I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one.

 

[entropy]

Now you've seen one. They come in black also. This is a youth model with a short LOP, around 13" IIRC. Came in handy when some well-meaning dad sent Junior to 4-H Trap with his duck gun, when the kid is 12 years old and 95 lbs. soaking wet.
There are some guns Tri-Star makes that I tell people to run the other way (fast) to avoid, namely the O/U's-particularly the TT-15 Trap guns- but they do Beretta A300/302 clones decently, and at good prices.

 

[bassjam]

12 or 13 is a LOT different than one as young as 5 or 6

I should have specified, but I don't plan on taking any of my kids in the field with their own gun until they are 10. So I have several years to make a decision, but I'm one who likes to take my time researching and then finding a good price.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I'd rather have a used Beretta over two new Tristars.

 

[George P]

I should have specified, but I don't plan on taking any of my kids in the field with their own gun until they are 10. So I have several years to make a decision, but I'm one who likes to take my time researching and then finding a good price.

Gotcha! Many a good coach will not touch a kid until they reach about 10-12 and weigh a certain weight so they can actually handle a gun safely. My kids started with .22s at 6 but shotguns waited until they were 12

 

[GooseGestapo]

I bought a TriStar 20ga when Walmart had them on spring clearance. I wanted the Youth model with the 24” bbl.
The youth model had too little drop at the comb, so I had to by an adult stock, but the adult stock fits VERY good.
The recoil of a 1oz load is approaching the level of a 12ga and would discourage a new shooter.(not to mention a 3” 1/14oz or 1-5/16oz.)
I worked up a load I found in an older manual using 7/8oz and GreenDot. It’s a minimal load I read about in a Handloader magazine article about 15yrs ago. It’s just enough pressure and velocity to cycle the action, and through an IC choke shoots an amazing pattern. It loaded with magnum #6’s reaches out and touches crows, squirrels. And 7-1/2’s kills doves much better than factory cheap promotional target loads. (Hard shot and competition grade wad).
Recoil is mild, about like a .410 with 3” loads. The load is a PC wad, Winchester poly-formed hull, Win 209 primer, 7/8oz (measured, not weighed). 12.7gr of GreenDot. (From an old Hercules loading guide).
I so happen to have been gifted about 6lbs of GreenDot. 7+/- grains in a .45Colt or .30/30 cast takes a LONG time to burn up! This speeds it along a little faster.

 

[Ru4real]

Bought my son a Tri-Star Raptor in 20 gauge with a 26" barrel and 4 screw in chokes came with gun. He was 14.

He hunted, shot trap on school team and shot trap league with me. Literally thousands and thousands of rounds. We were shooting trap league one eve when he was 18. When he closed the bolt, slam fire into the grass.

Sent the gun to Tri-Star and had it back in 10 days. Same stocks and barrel. Everything else was brand new and had been replaced. No questions asked. No cost.

Gun is super light and a pleasure to shoot.

 

[irishlad]

Mossberg youth 20 gauge with an upgraded recoil pad worked well for my then 10 year old grandson.

 

[nettlle]

This isn't a kids gun. I had one. Sweetest thing I ever shot.Back in the day we grew into the guns and clothes. Not cheap.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/905576035

 

[PapaG]

Started my granddaughter with an 1100 20 with a cut down stock, recoil pad and fitted ear protectors. Also found some Win low recoil shells. She's banging them with a 12 gallon 1100 two years later.
my kids stated with a single 12 that I loaded down with 1 oz and PB powder.

 

[Beach Bum]

CZ Drake O/U is in your price range , so is the new beretta A300 ultima / with the kickoff buttstock , was looking at it a couple of weeks ago , CZ 1012 is in your price range , it's an awesome little shotgun moves around real easy and shoulders real sweet , but it's recoil is noticable.....take care

 

[Riomouse911]

I’m an unabashed 1100 fan and a 28 ga fan as well.

I’ll recommend you go with a 1100 20. Rounds are in an infinite variety and much less expensive shot to shot than 28. Rather than have my son start with the Browning BPS pump or Ruger Red Label O/U 28’s I have, picked up a nice used LT 1100 20 ga for my son to cut his teeth on.

The price was low, I think the original owner thought it had issues so he sold it. When I got it home and broke it down for cleaning I saw it had the steel washer reversed when it was reassembled the last time. (This often makes 1100’s into single-shots.) Once I cleaned, oiled and assembled it correctly it’s been a great gun. Just another option …

Good luck finding the gun that fits your needs.

Stay safe.