Early Christmas Shopping

MTT TL · October 25, 2009, 04:41 PM

The boy (12) has been asking for a 20 Gauge for two years now and I think he is ready. I would like some suggestions on a youth model shotgun in either O/U or SXS that would be good for birds and clays.

I would like it to fit the following:

- Under $400
- American made (prefer)
- Good quality
- Designed for youth

Not really interested in pump or semi-auto. Thanks.

jaguarxk120 · October 25, 2009, 04:54 PM

A pump or semi-auto can be fitted with a youth stock for now and as he grows a full size stock can be exchanged for the shorter stock. Refitting a full size stock on a SxS or overunder can be quite costly.

Doyle · October 25, 2009, 04:58 PM

The words "good", "o/u" and "under $400" NEVER go together. You can get 2 out of the 3 - you pick which 2.

MTT TL · October 25, 2009, 05:01 PM

I understand. The intention is to pass it down as he gets older, when we replace it with a full size model when he is ready for that (and so on). This saves me from buying/ refitting more than one gun.

Quote:

You can get 2 out of the 3 - you pick which 2.

I know, I could not find anything myself. That is why I am asking. The closest you can get would be helpful.

the rifleer · October 25, 2009, 05:11 PM

In all honesty you aren't going to find a good solid reliable well built o/u for under $400, unless you buy it used from someone who wants to get rid of it.

You can buy a very good well made American pump action that will last the rest of his life for about that much though. I can shoot doubles with mine, it just takes a little extra practice.

you can even get a decent semi-auto for that price. i know thats not what your interested in, but thats what it going to be for that price range. There is nothing wrong with a pump or a semi auto.

MTT TL · October 25, 2009, 05:29 PM

Well, what do you think would be the best compromise?

I know I can get a youth model Remington 1100 for about $430 locally.

I don't think I want to spend any more.

I really don't want a pump.

Wishoot · October 25, 2009, 05:59 PM

You could look at a Lamber OU, but they'll run about $500 from CDNN. They do not make a youth stock however. I purchased one 4 years ago and it's a champ.

Check out the "I love my Lamber" section of Shotgunworld.

Otherwise, there isn't much in the new or used world that I could consider to be a quality OU for under $400.

Personally, I plan on getting my kid a 20 gauge 870 when she's ready for it. I prefer to teach the fundamentals of shotgunning on a pump.

jaguarxk120 · October 26, 2009, 11:11 AM

The 1100 is a outstanding choice. It has a very good track record in all the shooting sports. Can be had in many different grades and finish's. In some area's it is the standard other shotguns are compaired to.

Sam06 · October 26, 2009, 11:25 AM

Here is a nice one on GB

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=144443980

I like 1100's a lot. You can find them cheap/used but in very good shape. Once you figure them out they are very easy to work on also. Parts are available and aftermarket parts are plentiful. Once he gets older get a 12 ga or go to another style gun.

The 1100 would get my vote.

BigJimP · October 26, 2009, 12:19 PM

Under $ 500 go with the 1100 .....if it has screw in chokes.

A trouble free - long term O/U is a Browning or a Beretta / and even used they are $ 1,000 - $ 1,250 for entry level models if they have screw in chokes.

For a versatile gun / you need screw in chokes - if the Rem 1100 doesn't work out look for a Beretta 390 or 391 semi-auto as a 2nd choice.

olddrum1 · October 26, 2009, 10:27 PM

As per BJP and the rest, 1100, but for one reason I would suggest a pump 870. Easier to take care of.

October 25, 2009, 04:41 PM	#1
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	Early Christmas Shopping The boy (12) has been asking for a 20 Gauge for two years now and I think he is ready. I would like some suggestions on a youth model shotgun in either O/U or SXS that would be good for birds and clays. I would like it to fit the following: - Under $400 - American made (prefer) - Good quality - Designed for youth Not really interested in pump or semi-auto. Thanks.

October 26, 2009, 11:25 AM	#9
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	Here is a nice one on GB http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=144443980 I like 1100's a lot. You can find them cheap/used but in very good shape. Once you figure them out they are very easy to work on also. Parts are available and aftermarket parts are plentiful. Once he gets older get a 12 ga or go to another style gun. The 1100 would get my vote. __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

October 25, 2009, 04:54 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	A pump or semi-auto can be fitted with a youth stock for now and as he grows a full size stock can be exchanged for the shorter stock. Refitting a full size stock on a SxS or overunder can be quite costly.

October 25, 2009, 04:58 PM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	The words "good", "o/u" and "under $400" NEVER go together. You can get 2 out of the 3 - you pick which 2.

October 25, 2009, 05:11 PM	#5
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	In all honesty you aren't going to find a good solid reliable well built o/u for under $400, unless you buy it used from someone who wants to get rid of it. You can buy a very good well made American pump action that will last the rest of his life for about that much though. I can shoot doubles with mine, it just takes a little extra practice. you can even get a decent semi-auto for that price. i know thats not what your interested in, but thats what it going to be for that price range. There is nothing wrong with a pump or a semi auto.

October 25, 2009, 05:29 PM	#6
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	Well, what do you think would be the best compromise? I know I can get a youth model Remington 1100 for about $430 locally. I don't think I want to spend any more. I really don't want a pump.

October 25, 2009, 05:59 PM	#7
Wishoot Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,093	You could look at a Lamber OU, but they'll run about $500 from CDNN. They do not make a youth stock however. I purchased one 4 years ago and it's a champ. Check out the "I love my Lamber" section of Shotgunworld. Otherwise, there isn't much in the new or used world that I could consider to be a quality OU for under $400. Personally, I plan on getting my kid a 20 gauge 870 when she's ready for it. I prefer to teach the fundamentals of shotgunning on a pump.

October 26, 2009, 11:11 AM	#8
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	The 1100 is a outstanding choice. It has a very good track record in all the shooting sports. Can be had in many different grades and finish's. In some area's it is the standard other shotguns are compaired to.

October 26, 2009, 12:19 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Under $ 500 go with the 1100 .....if it has screw in chokes. A trouble free - long term O/U is a Browning or a Beretta / and even used they are $ 1,000 - $ 1,250 for entry level models if they have screw in chokes. For a versatile gun / you need screw in chokes - if the Rem 1100 doesn't work out look for a Beretta 390 or 391 semi-auto as a 2nd choice.

October 26, 2009, 10:27 PM	#11
olddrum1 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 807	As per BJP and the rest, 1100, but for one reason I would suggest a pump 870. Easier to take care of.