12 Ga for 16yr old - first time hunter

[rajb123]

He is 6 feet tall and is interested in hunting all types of game including turkey, waterfowl, upland game, etc.

I would like to keep it under $600 so I was thinking a pump might be the way to go. Choke tubes are a must. Used is OK.

One of my first guns was a Mossberg 500 and it was a poorly made gun, so this is not the gun for him.

Thx,

 

[oneounceload]

Beretta 3901 from wally world is $600 - plastic stock is perfect for the hunting you're talking about, Beretta will last a long time

 

[Josh45]

I have a Mossberg 500 AT and it works fine. Sorry to hear yours didn't go so well.

Either way, There is plenty of shotgun available at that range. At least, I think so

Mossberg ( if your interested in other models...)
Remington. The 870. I hear a lot about this one. Not bad for a beginner.
I think Benneli might have some nice set ups for that as well.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Lots of good choices. Let him try out some and then choose HIS shotgun....

 

[whetrock]

Remington 870 would be what I would go with especially the wingmaster.

 

[Busyhands94]

i have shot plenty of guns, but what i find to work best for hunting is a Remington Spartan single shot break barrel shotgun. it shoots very, very well.

 

[Virginian]

Either a used older Wingmaster Magnum- you can get an older one and a RemChoke barrel well within your budget, or a used Beretta or Remington 11-87 ought to do well. They don't wear out. Whichever he likes the feel of best.
There are a ton of choices, but I would trust those the most. My boss bought his son a Benelli SBE2 last fall. Kid got totally hooked by the ads. But he never even wants to see another 3-1/2" shell now. He shot 4 boxes of shells for the first 5 doves. He started connecting a lot better after that, but he's still not up to where he was with the 20 gauge 870 Express pump. He's learning its more the man behind the gun than it is the gun.

 

[Black Knight]

Another vote for the Remington 870. The Wingmaster has a smoother action than the Express but the Express isn't bad. The Express from Wal-Mart is less than $600 giving you more money for accessories. Some of those accessories may be necessary, a cleaning kit, a shotgun case, and of course more ammo.

 

[NOLAEMT]

Wal-Mart must be expensive in your neck of the woods.

Here you can get an 870 express for $315 at bass pro and probably cheaper other places.

 

[gaweidert]

Another vote for a Remington 870 here. Shooting sporting clays is a great prep for hunting.

 

[pikid89]

find a pawn shop 870..i picked up a nice express super magnum with a chopped up stock for 110 bucks

saw a 1100 slug gun for less than 300...a new barrel for cheap and your good to go with 2 guns

 

[Bud Tugly]

Do him a huge favor and start him off with light or even reduced-recoil loads until you're sure he can shoot them confidently. Many beginners are ruined by shooting the heaviest loads too soon and develop recoil sensitivity without even knowing it.

They can then spend years thinking they are bad shots before finally realizing the actual source of their problems. I was once that 16 year old kid, so I speak from personal experience.

 

[HarcyPervin]

my first three shotguns were:
20 ga 870 youth (at 12 years old)
Remington 1100 12 ga. 30 inch barrel 3"chamber from grandpa (16 years old)
Benelli Nova w/3.5" chamber (17 years old)

I love all three. The Nova is my go to gun for anything from grouse to turkey/geese/clays...if your boy looks like he's going to get any taller its a good buy. I'm 6'2'' and have decently long arms, and its one of the few that I feel really comfortable shooting (now that I've smacked my nose a few times with the youth gun I leave it alone for my youngest brother who is about 5'6'' and quickly outgrowing it)

 

[Strykervet]

Remington 870 would be what I would go with especially the wingmaster.

This is a very good choice if you are gonna rule out the Mossberg. I had a Mossberg 20 pump and a Winchester single shot 12 when I was about 9 or so. Moved up to the 870 Wingmaster a year or so later. Never had a problem with the Mossberg, still have one today. Heard a LOT of people that had problems with the Browning A5 in the field.

I agree also with the post that you should let him pick it out. I saw a man at the gunshop yesterday picking out a .22 for his kid. I mentioned I had a 10/22 at his kid's age, that I still have one today. The kid ended up getting that instead of a single shot youth .22. The kid was interested in either, but in years down the road, he'll be glad I told his dad about the Ruger that day.

Bottom line is remember the kid won't always be a kid (in your case, 16 is old enough to treat like an adult regarding firearms purchases). Show him a few that you recommend, and let him choose from those.

And for a hunting firearm, I wouldn't rule out a good over/under. You are only going to get a shot or two anyway, and for two shots this is faster; besides, you have to plug up the tube on semis and pumps... I wish I had one when I hunted birds when I was younger. But I always had a crappy pump or an oversize single shot.