I was thinking that a Remington 1100 12 gauge Auto-loader would do the trick. The auto-loader minimizes recoil because some of the recoil pushes a piston that racks the slide and chambers the next round. Plus it makes it able to pop off a second round without delay. Give me some ideas please!
Shotgun for 12 year old
- Thread starter Nickb
- Start date
- Status
Black Knight
Member
I see nothing wrong with the 1100 except maybe the size and weight. They are rather substantial may be somewhat heavy for a 12 year old. If you look at the 870 you may want a youth model in 20 gauge. BTW I don't have a semi-auto shotgun but do have several pump guns. Three of which are 870s (two 12 gauge Wingmasters and one 20 gauge Express). Either way a Remington is one gun that will last his lifetime and maybe longer.
tbutera2112
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2011
- Messages
- 161
my girls little cousin is 12 and he actually really enjoys his .410 shotgun... he hates shooting our 12gs... remington 870, mossberg 500, and an old remington 1100....all 3 were too much for him...theyre heavy and long, not really a kids gun...all kids are different though...if you dont think your kid is big enough to handle the recoil of a pump, then the semi-auto is not a good choice....while it may kick a little less, its not substantial...
maybe look into a 20g pump....you can get one for about 1/3 the price of the remington 1100 and then in 4 or 5 years when the kid is more comfortable shooting and a little bigger, you can then step up to a 12g semi auto......and you will know by then your kids shooting habits, you will know if they really enjoy it and do it often, or if its a rare occasion kinda deal...itll help you decide how much to spend on the next gun since its not one they will outgrow, and one they will keep forever
the only thing about getting a youth model or 20g semi-auto of any kind, is going to be how soon will your kid outgrow it and want/need something bigger? would hate to spend too much on a gun that is going to be resold in a few years....be better off buying a cheap 410 or 20g pump and letting them beat it up until they can handle a full-size 1100......just my opinion
maybe look into a 20g pump....you can get one for about 1/3 the price of the remington 1100 and then in 4 or 5 years when the kid is more comfortable shooting and a little bigger, you can then step up to a 12g semi auto......and you will know by then your kids shooting habits, you will know if they really enjoy it and do it often, or if its a rare occasion kinda deal...itll help you decide how much to spend on the next gun since its not one they will outgrow, and one they will keep forever
the only thing about getting a youth model or 20g semi-auto of any kind, is going to be how soon will your kid outgrow it and want/need something bigger? would hate to spend too much on a gun that is going to be resold in a few years....be better off buying a cheap 410 or 20g pump and letting them beat it up until they can handle a full-size 1100......just my opinion
1KPerDay
Member
I got an 1100 Magnum 12 gauge when I was 12. I was pretty large/stocky by then. It's still a large, heavy shotgun. I love it.... but it wouldn't be my first choice to give to a 12-year-old.
The size of the recipient should determine the size and weight of the shotgun, IMO. I'd start with a lightish 20 gauge, though recoil can be sharp with standard loads. My 12 year old twin boys are doing fine with a Winchester 1200 20 gauge. Even it gets tiresome to hold up for very long, though.
The size of the recipient should determine the size and weight of the shotgun, IMO. I'd start with a lightish 20 gauge, though recoil can be sharp with standard loads. My 12 year old twin boys are doing fine with a Winchester 1200 20 gauge. Even it gets tiresome to hold up for very long, though.
oneounceload
member
The FIT is going to be more critical than the weight. If the gun is too long in the stock, has balance point out of whack for his stature, then it isn't going to be comfortable for him
Lighter guns shooting the same payload at the same velocity have more recoil
Have him try several at the trap/skeet club - the heaviest gun he can handle, coupled with the lightest loads the gun will reliably operate, all in a package that FITS will give him an enjoyable experience
Lighter guns shooting the same payload at the same velocity have more recoil
Have him try several at the trap/skeet club - the heaviest gun he can handle, coupled with the lightest loads the gun will reliably operate, all in a package that FITS will give him an enjoyable experience
There is a lot of difference in the size of 12-year-olds. If yours is big for his age, (tall) a pump or auto in 20 ga should work fine. If on the short side, you might want to consider a 20 ga short barrelled double, like the Stoeger deluxe coach gun, with interchangable chokes. The shorter overall length balances better for shorter armed people.
Johnny_Come_Lately
Member
Take him to your local gun store. Have him shoulder a few different guns. Find the one that he shoulders the best and is able to hold up for an extended amount of time without too much fatigue. Buy that one in a gauge that will not cause him to flinch when he fires it.
Bud Tugly
Member
One of the worst things to do to a young person is saddle them with a gun too powerful or physically large in the theory that they'll "grow into it". Too much power will very likely develop a flinch and a gun that's physically too large will cause exhaustion and/or poor shooting form. Recoil sensitivity has nothing to do with manliness or macho and is far more common than most would admit.
Youth models are widely available, and they generally are in 20 gauge with shorter stocks and barrels proportioned to smaller individuals. I'd recommend that route and there are reduced recoil loads available for 20 gauge to make the experience less intimidating.
There's a ready market for well-cared for youth models so you should have no trouble selling it and moving up to a full sized gun when the young person can handle it.
Youth models are widely available, and they generally are in 20 gauge with shorter stocks and barrels proportioned to smaller individuals. I'd recommend that route and there are reduced recoil loads available for 20 gauge to make the experience less intimidating.
There's a ready market for well-cared for youth models so you should have no trouble selling it and moving up to a full sized gun when the young person can handle it.
Rollis R. Karvellis
Member
The only thing I, don't like about my kid's 1100 Youth 20 ga. Is the stock is a tad short on me. It fit him fine at the time. Someday I'll put a longer one on it, and have a handy do all gun. Also yes I, have several 12's laying around the house.
Last edited:
barnetmill
Member
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2006
- Messages
- 1,264
Do not over 28 gauge shot guns. Recoil is mild and they pattern better than most .410's. Main disadvantage is the cost of ammo and sometimes you have to hunt for it.
Here's what I recommend based on my experience with my son. He started shooting when he was 11 or 12 and I too worried about what to start him with. After much thinking I bought a used Beretta 12 gauge model 390. This is the model sold at Walmart for about $550. It worked perfectly for my son. Here's why....First it is a gas actuated gun, so it is very soft shooting especially compared to "fixed" breach guns like a break action or pump where all the recoil goes into you. The Beretta is also a light gun given it's aluminum receiver. Next, I added a high quality kickezz recoil pad and made sure the gun "fit" him well. Finally, I bought, then later reloaded, light, target type 1oz loads. He's now 14 but never had a problem with this set up. In fact, several times, we've shot 100 rounds at a sporting clays course. The Beretta 390 is also a very reliable design. You may want to see if this gun is available as a 20 gauge which might be better for smaller kids. My son is a big kid. Good luck with your decision. Just definitely don't handicap him by making him shoot a small, kids gauge like a 410 or 28 (my opinion only....).
oneounceload
member
Change that to say EXPERTS' gauges, not kids' - both of those are designed for te serious and experienced shooter
Get the 1100 and don't look back. I went through the same deal 12 years ago when trying to buy a gun for my then 10 year old son. After considering everything a 12 guage gas operated autoloader just made more sense. I cut the stock shorter to fit him and used light loads until he got older. After he turned 15 or so I replaced the thin buttplate with a thick recoil pad to get the LOP back to normal.
The gun will recoil less than any 20 pump or single shot. Ammo is cheaper allowing for more practice, and patterns are good enough to get hits early which will build confidence instead of the frustrations that you will get with a 410.
The gun will recoil less than any 20 pump or single shot. Ammo is cheaper allowing for more practice, and patterns are good enough to get hits early which will build confidence instead of the frustrations that you will get with a 410.
Kaptain Five
Member
what does this 12 year old want? if you buy him a gun he's not comfortable with, shooting will turn into a chore. Whenever i buy a gun primarily for my wife, i make her hold every different gun we see, until we find one that's the right weight, caliber, and feel.
That's how i ended up with my hi point... but if she comes out and shoots with me... it's worth it.
That's how i ended up with my hi point... but if she comes out and shoots with me... it's worth it.
Dont waste the money on a 410, I would get a twenty or twenty-eight if they cant do the 12. An 1100 with light AA loads is fine for skeet, my son is 10 and it works for him. The one caveat although, is I got him a shorter barrel which helps with the balance of the gun. Also check for a used gun and give one a new home by kid that will enjoy it.
Hamilton Felix
Member
I bought my daughter the 870 Youth 20 gauge. But now that I'm starting over, adopting two boys, I'm thinking of popping the extra $$ for the 1100 Youth 20 gauge. They're big boys for 9 and 11 (older will turn 12 in September), but have virtually no shooting experience. I'm thinking the softer recoil of the 1100 may be worth the extra $$. My wife and I are not lightweights, and our "His & Hers" house guns are both pump 12 gauge; we know what recoil is. But if kids associate painful recoil with a new experience, they're not likely to want to continue.
Just my 2 cents worth...
Just my 2 cents worth...
It varies. I took a friend's 12 year old son with me to shoot tactical shotgun. I was told he had a 12ga pump, but he showed up without it and shared my 870. After 5 stages and 50+ rounds he was bruised, grinning, and had just one complaint...
THE GUN IS TOO HEAVY.
WHY? The answer is posted above, but to restate... Short arms can't reach far enough out to balance the weight of the gun. THE single solution is to put on a shorter stock to compensate for the short arms.
Other helps include a shorter barrel (mine is 18-1/2") and light shotshell loads. (Really, if 2 of you are shooting, reloading can help with the expense and open up options to reduce recoil.)
As to the bruising, he started out holding the butt out on his arm -- perhaps yet another symptom of using a poorly fitting gun. Regardless, he got coached to resolve this and recoil was no longer a problem. We were using 7/8 oz, 1200 fps shotshells.
I've got short stocks (2 lengths) for this gun and would love to see him shoot another match with a gun that fits.
Size/weight
He alittle big for his age. He's 5ft 2 and 115 pounds. He likes the way big guns have enough force to knock the shooter back, yet he respects the power. He's proud to have a bit of a sore arm at the end of the day(not bruised of course). He knows to lean into the shot as opposed to some his age who lean back and fall. I'm new to guns and he knows more than I do.
He alittle big for his age. He's 5ft 2 and 115 pounds. He likes the way big guns have enough force to knock the shooter back, yet he respects the power. He's proud to have a bit of a sore arm at the end of the day(not bruised of course). He knows to lean into the shot as opposed to some his age who lean back and fall. I'm new to guns and he knows more than I do.
If somebody could do me a favor and measure from the stock to the place that would be optimal to put your hand?( in inches). If weight is a problem mabey the tactical model would be shorter and lighter.(and cheaper) I'm trying to get him a gun that will last him, we can protect the house with and won't break the bank. Living in the country I'd like to have a shotty in each room. He would be most fit protecting the house with his personal gun. Knowing him he would be able to field strip it in the dark!
- Status
