Youth shotgun advice
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Buy a new stock and cut it down, then when he's bigger put the old 1 back on or the youth mossberg 500 is a great little gun, she's killed a few birds with that thing.
I started with a couple mossberg 500s, I liked them both. A 410 when I was 12 and then I got a 20 gauge next year.
I was about that age when my Grandpa gave me a 20g H&R single shot. Don't do that to your little man...
Hey there,
Been dealing with this with my daughter.. Already dealt with it for my son.. They grow quickly.
For my son, I started with a Stevens single shot 410.. light, short, easy to practice with - however the ammo is pricey at times and not the best for hunting in the hands of a kid
Then he grew into a Mossberg 500 Bantam model (shorter stock, longer fore end) in 20 ga.. much better for hunting.
My daughter just tried out a friend's Remington youth 20 ga (it is shorter and lighter than the Mossberg my son used) and the Mossberg my son used.. she didn't care for either due to recoil and upper body strength issues.. so she'll get to try out the 410 for hunting.
If you get him something that fits him now, be prepared to drop some dough as he'll outgrow a shotgun like he does shoes.
Been dealing with this with my daughter.. Already dealt with it for my son.. They grow quickly.
For my son, I started with a Stevens single shot 410.. light, short, easy to practice with - however the ammo is pricey at times and not the best for hunting in the hands of a kid
Then he grew into a Mossberg 500 Bantam model (shorter stock, longer fore end) in 20 ga.. much better for hunting.
My daughter just tried out a friend's Remington youth 20 ga (it is shorter and lighter than the Mossberg my son used) and the Mossberg my son used.. she didn't care for either due to recoil and upper body strength issues.. so she'll get to try out the 410 for hunting.
If you get him something that fits him now, be prepared to drop some dough as he'll outgrow a shotgun like he does shoes.
When I started my 12 year old grandson , it was with a 20 gauge ,shooting light loads. He had no issue, so I went with standard load. I always had him shooting at clay pigeons which distracts the shooter from the kick. When we are after game, he says he never even feels it when he shoots. If you have access to a .410, maybe try that out then go to 20.
I have used both the Mossy Bantam & Rem 870 for kids...The Rem 870 is far and away the stronger of the 2 guns...One thing is for sure...Get the 20 gauge...Steel ammo is still readily available...Where as steel .410 is not only almost impossible to find, but very inferior hunting wise...2 cents.
My 870, 1974 vintage. thousands of rounds thru it, not one issue. American made, strong point.
Hunter,
I’m not saying a youth Mossy isn’t an okay gun…They’re okay…The youth 870 is Just a more solid gun…We use 870’s at our JAKES event that are furnished by Esc. Fish & Game Assoc…They’ve probably been shot 1000’s of times… Still tight…REM Choke tubes are easy to get, accessories are available, and they can be made into a full size 20 gauge with different stock and interchangeable barrel…They May cost a little more than a Bantam though
Ok, at first I wasn’t sure if you were talking about the youth models or the shotguns in general.
One thing I noticed is that the 500’s forend rattles while the 870 wingmaster’s forend doesn’t rattle, why is that?