auto loading 20 guage.

[screenerglenn]

still looking for my grandson's first shotgun. recoil is a major factor as he is rather lightweight. any suggestions in the autoloading 20 guage area? thanks, glenn

[hogdogs]

from a simple minded redneck... Mossberg. American made durable gun from a family owned company.
Brent

[hogdogs]

Here is the linky love to the sa-20...
http://www.mossberg.com/products/def...ction=products
Brent

[zippy13]

Remington's gas auto-loaders are well known recoil tamers. Have you checked out the Remington 20-ga Model 11-87 Sportsman, youth version #29891?
Here's a link to Remington's Youth Firearms page.

[johnwilliamson062]

Why do you want an autoloader for his first? Almost everyone I know got a SxS for their first. Almost everyone still owns them and loves to shoot them.

[Dave McC]

Beretta's 391 in 20 gauge is a lot of gun. One model has a Reduced Length stock.

My second choice would be the 1100/11-87 platform, possibly in 28 gauge.

The Mossbergs do not have a long track record yet and I've not seen many.

[johnwilliamson062]

Why do you want an autoloader for his first? Almost everyone I know got a SxS for their first. Almost everyone still owns them and loves to shoot them.

[oneounceload]

second the 1100 in 28gauge - a lot of fun - I had to add an 8oz weight to smooth my swing and this thing has about as much recoil as a 10/22 - BUT - if you don't reload, shells will get expensive

[BigJimP]

Remington has a good reputation - nothing wrong with their guns - in either a 20ga or 28ga. Beretta has some options as well / youth guns, etc. in 20ga but I don't think they offer anything in a 28ga. Some of their guns are full sized / some are sized as youth guns.

I also like the Benelli super sport in 20ga. My grandkids really like the look of the super sport / and I have a 12ga version as well - so they can transition real easy. It is not available in a 28ga.

I like the idea of a kid starting with a 28ga - good pattern, light recoil - the Remington Semi-Autos are one choice / or consider an O/U ( buying guns for grandkids to shoot / in my house, is just an excuse for me to buy another gun ...). If you buy the "learning guns" - a youth gun, maybe a 28ga / maybe a 20ga and use them for all the grandkids - then buy him/her a gun when they're about 16 it might make more sense ( so they get a full sized gun they can shoot for a long time). Kids grow so much from 10 - 18 its pretty incredible. My boys were about 6 foot when they were 13 / but I have grandkids that are only 5' 6" and 125 lbs at 13 ....so its really hard to come up with a gun that works for kids of all sizes and upper body strength.

[buymore]

hotdog,

I have an SA-20 and it is made in Turkey for Mossberg, not US made. I have no problems at all with it and it is serving me well so far! I had it a 4H Shooting sports camp and other instructors thought it was one of the Beretta 300 Series guns! He shot it and was very impressed with my investment! I paid around $380 out the door for mine NIB.

[ammo.crafter]

I started my daughter off with a single shot break open 12ga.
BUT, I reload and was easily able to make powder puff loads.
Light recoil, easy to control and lots more shot out there to break clays.

[screenerglenn]

thanks again, the TFL continues to come through. My grandson will spend this weekend making a selection. We will most likely stay in the semi-auto category. his physical condition keeps him rather small and thin, so recoil reduction is paramount. thanks again, glenn

[Demaiter]

The best thing to do, is yes, let him/her feel the guns and pick the one that simply feels the best.

You can't go wrong with any shotguns really.. Remingtons 1100 and 11-87 are fine shotguns.

Browning's Silver line is also good

Berretas xtremas are nice too

Benelli has some fancy models, id say the M2 field is a nice gun, also a good price compared to their new models that are 1-200 more.


I have an 1100 in 20 gauge and its pleasant to shoot. There is a noticeable difference in recoil from a semi to a pump - My semi has a recoil pad, and my pump doesn't. After 100 shots with the semi, I could shoot 100 more. After about 10 shots with the pump you actually sort of start to feel it.

I found when I got in tune with my 1100 you can feel the action slide back/forth/lock shut. Follow up shots are quick and easy.

Id suggest then, when learning, only load 1 shot at a time, so aiming becomes more important. Good luck. - fyi my next shotgun purchase will be a Benelli m2 field in I think 20 gauge with a 26" barrel and comfortech stock. The gun is light/slim/compact.

I'd suggest a 26" barrel as well. No need for a 28" barrel as the gun will be too long for a smaller framed shooter. If you have to order the model I would.

That's my advice.

[bclark1]

I have a Remington 1100 LT-20 that I bought specifically to try to get my mom, girlfriend and her little brother to break some clay with me. Didn't work but it was a good excuse to buy another shotgun. It's a good option though for a lightweight and light-recoiling shotgun. I think Rem has replaced it with something more newfangled now, so whatever the current model is could be a good option, or you could get the LT-20 on Gunbroker at a discount.

[cjviper]

I'm in the same boat. I'm looking for an autoloader for my son. Benelli makes a 20ga youth model now, real nice, real light, but also expensive for first gun. Was at Cabella's yesterday and saw the new Tristar 20ga in youth for $450, not too bad and pretty light too. Going to have to do some research on the tristar.

[Smitty in CT]

If you can find one... the Mossberg International SA-20 is a pretty nice gun for not too much money (under $375)

For size comparison, here is my son's SA-20 with my Mossberg 930...

[sheepman]

Have you considered a 12ga with light loads. The best thing to do is get the boy some where he can shoot several different guns and see which works best. There is nothing wrong with a 20 but you may find, as a friend of mine did that the boy will soon decide that a 20 is not what every one else shoots and want to trade up. just my .02 worth. ---Bill

[hillbille]

sheepman is right he may want to trade up later on, but that is the reason I would buy the 20ga first, resale will be a lot easier and a little higher on the 20, everyone has 12 ga's for sale very few 20's.

[schutzen]

Unless you are a reloader set up for 28 gauge, I would stick with the 20 gauge. Shells are much cheaper.

If recoil is a problem, have a gunsmith extend the forcing cone. This will reduce the felt recoil and as a bonus it tends to improve the pattern.

Another trick is to place a roll of pennies in the stock bolt hole. I usually place a fender washer, a heavy spring cut to lenth, and a roll of pennies in the hole. Cut the spring to the correct lenth to have the pennies stop about 1/16" to 1/8" above the butt of the stock and then reinstall the recoil pad.

Also check the quality of the recoil pad. The quality of factory pads is getting better, but ususally a new high quality pad will reduce felt recoil.

[absolute0]

For a youngster or small statured adult it'd be hard to go wrong with a good used Remington 1100 LT with the lightweight reciever.

[johnwilliamson062]

go all out with a Saiga 20.

[Tortuga12]

for the connoisseur!