What feels like an 870 20ga youth?

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strat81

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I've been looking at shotguns lately with the intention of getting an 870 or 500 for HD and clay sports. Now, I have never fired a shotgun of any type. I want (not necessarily NEED) a 12 ga solely because of the wide variety of ammo and the prevalence of gauge with regards to used firearms.

I'm a short guy, only 5'2". So, most full size long guns are too big for me to shoulder comfortably. There are a few exceptions: AR-15s with adjustable stocks, my WASR-10 AKM clone with "commie-size" wood stock, and... a 20ga 870 Youth I picked up at the gun shop the other day.

It looked to be in nice condition, was around $200-$225, wood furniture, no visible damage, good finish. It felt very comfortable to bring up to my shoulder and the length of pull felt very good. But, it was a 20ga and I wouldn't have been happy with it once "the new" wore off.

So, what else out there feels like such a gun? The other option I have been considering is an 870 or 500 with the adjustable tactical-style stock. Do the 12ga youth models feel similar? Is there any difference between a youth and regular model besides the furniture?

While I'm sure the 20ga a fine gun, it's not what I want. Please don't try to convince me otherwise, my irrational mind is made up. (And I like plastic guns and 9x19 too, so :neener: to you!) :D
 
Buy a regular 870 express and have the stock cut and a recoil pad installed to the correct length. Buy a new one and use the $30 mail in rebate from Remington.

The thing I don't like about the youth guns is they usually have a short barrel, too. Not the best for shotgunning, to me.
 
Do the 12ga youth models feel similar?. Is there any difference between a youth and regular model besides the furniture?
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I don't think Remington makes a 12 gauge youth, at least I've never seen one. Compared to a regular 870, the barrel on the youth is shorter, on the order of 21" inches rather standard 26" or 28".

You can buy Remington or Speedfeed youth stocks after market, but I don't know if you can get barrels for a Remington branded 12ga 870 that short without going to the rifle sight versions or going through the tactical LE stuff which is going to a cost a premium. Even then, you probably will have trouble finding one with a choke system and you'll be at the short end of the barrel spectrum for clays.

I would try finding a 26" 12 gauge and see how it handles keeping in mind you can get a shorter buttstock.

If you were going for HD only, the lack of chokes wouldn't be such a big deal, but if you want to go for clay games and perhaps later hunting, you might want the versatility of chokes and a little longer barrel.
 
Jorg, you're right, they don't. I figured they would since Mossberg makes a 12ga Bantam. The 500 comes with a 24" vent rib barrel, so I think all I'd need is a shorter 18" or 20" barrel for HD and maybe a mag extension.

Hmmmm...

Any others short folks out there with the dilemma?
 
Remington makes or has made 12 gauge Express Turkey guns with 21" and 23" VR Remchoke barrels with twin beads (Bradley bead in front). The barrels have been available separately from time to time, but they tend to bring premium prices when I have seen them sell.

One of those with a stock shortened to a 12.5- 13" LOP should pretty well duplicate the 'feel' of a Youth gun, though the 12 ga. will be a bit heavier. I'd stick to wood furniture, because the wood stock is easier to shorten and reinstall the recoil pad on. And if the gun doesn't have an R3 recoil pad or the equivalent, I'd suggest buying one as part of the modification. That and a handful of choke tubes and you should be ready to go...

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_turkey.asp

lpl/nc
 
Sorry guys, but Remington does make an 870 express, they actually have a whole line of youth guns...

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/youth/

As for the original post, get a standard 870 and put a collapsible stock on it just like the AR you like. A number of manufactures make them some even have recoil compensation built in. Not what I'd do for a bird gun, but will make a sweet HD rig...
 
Sorry guys, but Remington does make an 870 express, they actually have a whole line of youth guns...
Click to expand...

Where is the 12 gauge version? All of those are 20 gauge. Strat81 is looking for 12 gauge youth model.
 
The 870 youth in 20 gauge would be an excellent home defense shotgun. You do not need 12, though it is more versitile.
 
Hmmm, at Gander Mountain in Geneva, IL today, they had a NIB 12ga Mossberg 500 Bantam on the rack for $229.00 (Probably item number 52132) I think that's what the OP is looking for:

12 ga Youth model for $200-225 (okay so it's $4.00 more then his asking price. :rolleyes: ) Plus any 12 ga 500 barrels can be used with the gun should he decide to "accesorize" in the future.

Anywho, heres a list of Mossberg bantam models. The 505 is not compatable/swappable with 500 parts (505 can take 2-3/4", 3" and 3.5" shells, 500 can take 2-3/4" and 3" only, hence the difference.) http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=22&display=specs Find the one one you want and you can probably get your local shop or friendly FFL to order it for you.

GM also had a 20ga Youth 870 Express with pink laminated wood for $279. So Remington is going after the teenage girl market. :cool:
 
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