"youth" model shotgun for HD?

[Guvnor]

I have this idea of using a youth model shotgun for home defense. Mossberg makes the 505 youth model in both 20 gauge and 410 bore. Both have 20 inch barrels with 12" length of pull stock, hold up to five rounds, and are around 5 1/2 pounds. Me thinks it would make a great compact, lightweight HD shotgun.

Being so light...the 20 gauge probably has some fierce recoil, id probably be more inclined toward the 410 version.

But is a 12" length of pull just too short for an adult to use? Im 5'10 with long lanky arms, I would probably look silly at the range with it but can an adult learn to shoot one comfortably?

 

[oneounceload]

The question is "Why?" - to save 2 inches or so? If the short stock FITS, that is one thing - but if your long lanky arms need those few inches, that really isn't going to be an issue for HD

 

[Guvnor]

Well I like the idea because the gun is so compact. At 37 1/2 inches its pretty much the shortest shotgun in the mossberg lineup besides those pistol grip cruisers.

My ideal length of pull is about 14 1/2 inches. I know the youth gun wouldn't fit me well at all. But what I was getting at is...would a length of pull that short present an adult user with any issues aiming accurately, recoil, etc. But I suppose it wouldn't really matter in an HD situation.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I use a Knoxx Spec Ops stock that adjusts to shorter than most youth shotguns to full length. So I get the best of the length choices, but recoil buffering.

 

[vicdotcom]

I use a youth model for HD and actually most of my shooting! LOL It just fits me a lot better than a full size stock. A stock that doesnt fit right will intensify the felt recoil not to mention your aim.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

You won't have any problems with the recoil on the youth sized 20 gauge. I know several folks who decided on one of those Mossburgs for the same reason you did. I've shot one of them and so has my wife. I'm 5'9" no problems at all.

 

[mnrivrat]

I have this idea of using a youth model shotgun for home defense.

Well I have to tell you, it is not a new idea - just a pretty good one.

Youth 20ga has been my HD shotgun for a couple decades + ,and I have yet to hear any good reason why I should change.

Even Massob in the past has pointed to the 20ga. youth shotgun as a good weapon of choice for HD. Glad he sees it my way ! LOL

 

[b.thomas]

Don't see why not?? I've still have my sons winchester 20 youth 1200.
Shotgun is in near perfect shape, nice slick action, with a 22" barrel=no rib but has choke tubes and a 3" chamber and a short 12.5" stock with a recoil pad.

 

[Vincent Vash]

http://serbu.com/top/superShorty.php <- this

 

[lobo9er]

youth gun call it ladies gun its a 20 gauge shot gun above all nay sayers are gun snobs if it fits, it works. my friend has an old bolt action mossberg 12 gauge most people would scoff at it for home defense its old lil rusty long barrel only shotguns he had for long time and he knows it inside and out it would take a small army to break in his house if was able to get at that shotty in time, which i'm sure he would. what i'm getting at is what worx for you is the best HD period

 

[oneounceload]

IF it fits, then go with it....however, too short can bump your nose.......

 

[Fred Fuller]

No reason not to go with it, if it meets your perceived needs. The 'house guns' here (all 12 ga. Rem 870s) have 12.5" LOPs and premium recoil pads set up to fit my dear wife, who is 5'4". I'm 6'3" (and wear a 37" sleeve), and I have zero trouble using the guns that fit her. Barrels are 18- 20", the 18" barreled guns are 37" overall.

My biggest suggestion would be learning to shoot with your shooting hand thumb placed over on top of your trigger finger knuckle, rather than wrapped around the stock as usual. That'll keep you from getting bopped in the nose under recoil. A whole bunch of long lanky American young men learned this trick courtesy of the as-issued 1903 Springfield rifle (which had a short stock), and it still works.

lpl

 

[Bud Tugly]

If you have other members of your household, it's important to remember that it's far easier for a large person to shoot a gun that's a bit too small than for a small person to shoot one that's too large. When thinking about HD weapons we need to consider what happens if a home invasion takes place when you aren't there or if you go down in the first exchange of fire and some other family member has to pick up the gun and carry on.

If you live alone and can handle an HD gun with all the wizz-bang accessories then go for it, but for a mixed household IMO it's better to keep things simple and choose something that everyone can use in a pinch.