MauiWowie
I have the SIGness...
What’s a good starter 12G shottie for my 13 year old son? We will be shooting clays no hunting. Thanks!!
Best starter Shottie for my 13 year old son
- Thread starter MauiWowie
- Start date
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Squaregrouper
Kragaphile
Mossberg 500 Bantam. I would start with a 20 gauge.
engineerbrian
JMB fan club
Remington 1100 in 12 ga kicks less than most 20 gauge shotguns. My wife shoots one 
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,107
All depends upon the specific 'yute . Some 13yo are 5'00" and 90lb , some are 6'2" 175lb .
The usual discussions about shotguns cover proper fit . But if the 'yute is about to grow 5 inches and three shirt sizes over the summer ......
The usual discussions about shotguns cover proper fit . But if the 'yute is about to grow 5 inches and three shirt sizes over the summer ......
kookymonstir
Active Member
My son is 13, 6' tall and 180lbs. I'm glad I didn't get him any youth model. He has been shooting all of my full size rifles and shotguns (including 12ga. 3" slugs) for 2 years now. Mind you, it took awhile for him to get used to the bigger recoils from the slugs, but he has been doing a good job hitting clays since he started a little over two years ago. If your son can handle the weight and length of the gun, just start him off with some low velocity shot shells and maybe a large target so he can see where they hit and how the pellets spread. BTW, the guns are a Mossberg 500 and Remington 870.
I bought my son an H&R youth model, 20 ga, 2 years later he was 6' 3" ! LOL! He still has the shotgun but I don't think he shoots it much anymore
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,107
It is imperative to start out an absolute beginner with somthing that fits them at that time . By some means you need to deal with that , even if it does require some degree of extra expense .
Option #1 & 1.5 - Eventually get a second buttstock .
Get commonly available shotgun that both fits him now , both length of pull, and weight & balance suitable for current upper body strength .
This could be a proper Youth Model, and eventually a full length stock for it. Or could be a "regular" size gun , with either a wood stock you shorten yourself , or an accessory youth stock. The net difference would be his current ability to properly handle the presumably longer/ heavier full size bbl.
Option #2 - Get inexpensive. Youth gun now, and a more $$ higher end clays gun later.
Speaking generally for 'yutes, petite women, etc. , There isn't a categorical preference between 12ga and 20ga. . There are plenty of low recoil options for 12ga shells that have comparable recoil to 20ga . The important difference is the weight of the gun. Even when the recoil per se is the same , for some people the lighter weight, and easier handling is a big advantage . ( Heck , plenty of big beefy guys like 20ga on purpose .)
Option #1 & 1.5 - Eventually get a second buttstock .
Get commonly available shotgun that both fits him now , both length of pull, and weight & balance suitable for current upper body strength .
This could be a proper Youth Model, and eventually a full length stock for it. Or could be a "regular" size gun , with either a wood stock you shorten yourself , or an accessory youth stock. The net difference would be his current ability to properly handle the presumably longer/ heavier full size bbl.
Option #2 - Get inexpensive. Youth gun now, and a more $$ higher end clays gun later.
Speaking generally for 'yutes, petite women, etc. , There isn't a categorical preference between 12ga and 20ga. . There are plenty of low recoil options for 12ga shells that have comparable recoil to 20ga . The important difference is the weight of the gun. Even when the recoil per se is the same , for some people the lighter weight, and easier handling is a big advantage . ( Heck , plenty of big beefy guys like 20ga on purpose .)
Aamdskeetshooter
Ultimate Member
If money’s not an issue you could buy him one of these.
https://www.krieghoff.com/competition-shotguns/krieghoff-k80/
MSRP is $12,400 for those that done want to look it up. The actual sale price will be a little less. I actually know of an instance where a father bought one for himself and one for his kid. The other son got a crazy expensive gaming laptop. The kid with the Krieghoff got a better deal.
All joking aside, I like this 1100 because of the adjustability of it, but any 1100 or 1187 would be a good first gun.
https://www.remington.com/shotguns/autoloading/model-1100/model-1100-competition-synthetic
https://www.krieghoff.com/competition-shotguns/krieghoff-k80/
MSRP is $12,400 for those that done want to look it up. The actual sale price will be a little less. I actually know of an instance where a father bought one for himself and one for his kid. The other son got a crazy expensive gaming laptop. The kid with the Krieghoff got a better deal.
All joking aside, I like this 1100 because of the adjustability of it, but any 1100 or 1187 would be a good first gun.
https://www.remington.com/shotguns/autoloading/model-1100/model-1100-competition-synthetic
MauiWowie
I have the SIGness...
So he used my brothers 20G bennelli super light and loved it but the $$$. Then shot my Barretta 12G and Love it also.
MauiWowie
I have the SIGness...
Thanks for all this info I’ll look for used ones
STeveZ
Thank you, Abelard
20 gauge gas operated semi-auto. Tri-Star, Weatherby and Mossberg all import nice guns at very reasonable prices. Some offer youth models as well.
I wouldn't handicap a kid with the recoil and hassle of a pump, and 1100's are on the heavy side.
I've seen some little squirts handling 12 gauges OK but I'd start him on a 20, their sweet handling will be an advantage to a newbie.
I wouldn't handicap a kid with the recoil and hassle of a pump, and 1100's are on the heavy side.
I've seen some little squirts handling 12 gauges OK but I'd start him on a 20, their sweet handling will be an advantage to a newbie.
HeatSeeker
Ultimate Member
870 youth 20ga. or just regular stock would probably be fine at 13.
20g 11-87 has virtually no recoil, and is youth friendly
Augie
Ultimate Member
It would help to know the size of your son, he is at the age where they grow rapidly and could quickly grow out of a youth size shotgun.
As far as 20 vs 12 a 20 can actually have more recoil depending on the weight of the gun and the ammo being used, 1oz of shot is the same in a 20 or a 12 but will have more felt recoil in a 6 1/2 lb 20 versus a 8 lb 12.
A Remington 1100 or 1187 clays gun using 1oz loads will have very little recoil, also getting a shotgun specifically designed for clay sports can help pick up a few more birds over a field gun. I've broken plenty of birds with field guns but generally do better with my dedicated Sporting gun.
There is a very nice Remington 1187 Sporting Clays in the classified but depending on the size of your son it may be too large although if he did well with your Beretta the Remington should be fine.
As far as 20 vs 12 a 20 can actually have more recoil depending on the weight of the gun and the ammo being used, 1oz of shot is the same in a 20 or a 12 but will have more felt recoil in a 6 1/2 lb 20 versus a 8 lb 12.
A Remington 1100 or 1187 clays gun using 1oz loads will have very little recoil, also getting a shotgun specifically designed for clay sports can help pick up a few more birds over a field gun. I've broken plenty of birds with field guns but generally do better with my dedicated Sporting gun.
There is a very nice Remington 1187 Sporting Clays in the classified but depending on the size of your son it may be too large although if he did well with your Beretta the Remington should be fine.
MigraineMan
Defenestration Specialist
My son's first tube-gun experience was with a Maverick 88 in 20ga. He was at a Boy Scout camp, and had never fired a shotgun previously. He was hitting 8/10 clays regularly, and was out-shooting the adults who attended. Made me grin ...
We may or may-not own one, and if I recall correctly, it comes with several different thickness butt-pads so you can adjust the length of pull. It was pretty inexpensive, so there's not a lot of downside getting one ... so I am told.
We may or may-not own one, and if I recall correctly, it comes with several different thickness butt-pads so you can adjust the length of pull. It was pretty inexpensive, so there's not a lot of downside getting one ... so I am told.
Youthcoach
Member
Gun for 13 YO
I'd suggest, the best of both worlds ....a 12 ga Remington V3..it has the LEAST recoil of ANY 12ga and rivals the recoil of a 20ga. If you shoot 1oz target loads, it is even softer! The new design is an engineering marvel with only two moving parts and NOTHING on the magazine tube! I have 3" and 3.5" (Versa Max) versions and they are super soft...even with hunting loads.
I'd suggest, the best of both worlds ....a 12 ga Remington V3..it has the LEAST recoil of ANY 12ga and rivals the recoil of a 20ga. If you shoot 1oz target loads, it is even softer! The new design is an engineering marvel with only two moving parts and NOTHING on the magazine tube! I have 3" and 3.5" (Versa Max) versions and they are super soft...even with hunting loads.
MauiWowie
I have the SIGness...
I’d say my son is about 5’4” 110 pounds
Boondock Saint
Ultimate Member
My nephew will be hunting with us this coming fall/winter, and it's time to find a gun for him. He'll be 13 then, and he's about 5' and 120 now. I had him handle a full size 12 GA and it was obvious that holding the firearm was a challenge for him, so I'm looking more into the smaller 20 GA options that he can handle easily and with confidence. Ability to swap out for a large stock as he grows is a plus, but not a deal breaker if it's a quality, older piece with some character that could be used for younger nephews as they come up in age.
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