hatfield single shot shotgun thought

So I'm thinking of a single shot 20 gauge for my boy. He's young enough still. Any thoughts on the hatfield single shot shotgun review. Walmart carries them for like $127 .

 

I would rather have an older used American made model. There's no shortage of them around.

 

I agree and feel the same way, no doubt. BUT the Hatfield used to be on sale for 99 bucks back when they first hit stores. A topper was closer 200 and a 37 was 400 or more. Then IF they break you have no warranty. And short of gunbroker the Good guns are getting harder to come by.

Far more likely the Hatfield breaks though.

that said I would probably pay double for an old topper or champion if I could at all. I did play with a Hatfield years ago and it did function. I didn't care for the latch release location but i would rather have that than a double or single with an automatic safety.

For double that 127 you could get close to a maverick 88 pump. I dont own one but its still 10x the gun the Hatfield is. There are also a dozen no name pump shotguns that are well under 200 dollars but again, your getting into iffy territory.

 

I bought my only Topper new in 1980 for 40 bucks. I sold it a couple of years ago for $150.

 

Mine was 75 around 1995. Only gun I wish I kept. Was my first one. Lol. Sold for 150. Pretty rough shape model 99 410

 

I bought the 20 gauge for my 10YO to shoot clays with me. Took bird shot to the range. He fired one round, I fired 2, and I sold it. The light weight, break mechanism, and stock shape drove the trigger guard into the 3rd knuckle HARD. Turning 13 tomorrow, he has decided that he wants a Benelli Nova instead.

 

A good H&R Pardner would be my choice. Look around at local pawns. They’re out there, and inexpensive.

 

I had a 410 and it was a POS. Happy I sold it.
I have also owned a savage 301 20 ga that was far superior. It Costs less than $200, uses screw in choke tubes ( mossberg 500 thread pattern), the break open mechanism is a button next to the hammer like the H&R guns.
https://www.savagearms.com/content?p=firearms&a=product_summary&s=22558

I sold it as it was only meant to be a temporary small game gun when working out of state but if I needed another single shot 20 it would be on the list.
The only 20ga single shot I still have is a Nef topper I got at a pawn shot 2 years back for $110. They seem to have gone up in price since then.
Good luck on the hunt for your son a shotgun but In my opinion, it would be better to spend the extra $60-70 for the stevens 301.
Have a good day!

 

I agree 100%. I've owned a number of 20 ga. singles and the Stevens 301 is a keeper. So far it's been one of the best and I actually enjoy shooting it more than my other guns. I've always liked singles and doubles and the Stevens is one of my favorites.
On the down side they are uglier than a pigs a$$. If you can get over that go for it, they are worth the money.

 

have a preference for the old savage/revelation brand single shots. The old Iver Johnson single shots were good as well.
Handled a hatfield. First thought was its too light weight and would be brutal on the shoulder.

 

Same basic action as the Stevens 22/410, which is a winner. Very similar the the H&R as well: I have one of their handi rifles in 22H. Sweet little gun.

 

Yep