Looking for a 20 ga for younger brother. Need some opinions. Also Tristar?

[em9sredbeam]

I have a much younger brother that I would like to find a 20 guage for, as it seems my 12 guages are just too big and heavy, and I would like to take him trap and possibly dove hunting, as I would like to spend more time with him doing something outdoors. He is 13. When I look at 20 guages, there are so many in a wide variety of prices. I want to stay as reasonable as possible without buying garbage. Any reccomendations? Anyone heard of or have any reviews of the Tristar viper? A new semi at $400 ish scares me, but I figured I would ask.

Also if anyone is thinking about selling a reasonably priced 20 ga let me know.

[Steve_In_29]

Big5 has the Mosberg 500 combo pack on sale through today for $299 and you get the choice of a pump in 12 or 20.

The Turkish shotguns (Tristar, Escort, ATI, Weatherby, etc) are pretty good to go. In fact the Mossberg 20G semi is a rebadged Turkish gun.

I bought my wife the Escort Youth Model, 20G semi and have been pretty pleased with it so far.

[not-fishing]

870 youth, 870's have taught hundreds of thousands of shooters.

After he outgrows it you have a nice home defense weapon.

[not-fishing]

870 youth, 870's have taught hundreds of thousands of shooters.

Stay away from the single shots they're to light and have a nasty kick.

After he outgrows it you have a nice home defense weapon.

[WDE91]

I rock an 870 Express Mag Compact myself as my shotgun out here in Alabama and it has been great.
The 21" barrel is extremely handy. Short enough for social work but being threaded for chokes I plan on trying some turkeys with it.

My 100lbs girlfriend can comfortably shoot it unlike most 12gauges.

[0351USMC]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/672/products_id/18307

[AirWaves]

Big5 has the Mosberg 500 combo pack on sale through today for $299 and you get the choice of a pump in 12 or 20.

The Turkish shotguns (Tristar, Escort, ATI, Weatherby, etc) are pretty good to go. In fact the Mossberg 20G semi is a rebadged Turkish gun.

I bought my wife the Escort Youth Model, 20G semi and have been pretty pleased with it so far.

I also recommend the Mossberg Big 5 combo. Is cheap and you have both a SD barrel and Hunting Barrel.

[JagerDog]

I recommend AGAINST a combo where the long barrel doesn't have screw in chokes.

OP spoke to target games and hunting. This suggests the longer barrel as the driving force....not the place to short cut. Sure...if you only have 1 choke, modified is the best choice, but it' still very limiting. FWIW, Mossberg's std combo has screw in chokes. The "Big 5" version doesn't.

Mossberg, Rem and Weatherby all make compact/youth models in 20g. Personally, I like the Weatherby, but the Rem or Moss might be easier to find a full length stock if/when he grows into it.

[Steve_In_29]

I recommend AGAINST a combo where the long barrel doesn't have screw in chokes.

OP spoke to target games and hunting. This suggests the longer barrel as the driving force....not the place to short cut. Sure...if you only have 1 choke, modified is the best choice, but it' still very limiting. FWIW, Mossberg's std combo has screw in chokes. The "Big 5" version doesn't.

Mossberg, Rem and Weatherby all make compact/youth models in 20g. Personally, I like the Weatherby, but the Rem or Moss might be easier to find a full length stock if/when he grows into it.

The Big5 is a nice starter gun that his brother can then step up from into something better suited to his desires if/when he decides he is really interested in shooting. At which time the Big5 could be regulated to HD duty with the 18.5" barrel on it at all times. Or little bro can simply buy a barrel with chokes if he likes the feel of the Mossberg. No need for big bro to lay out serious bucks.

[fffblackmage]

For a beginner's shotgun, why worry about chokes? If he learns to point well, he'll hit his targets. He'll probably be ready for a new gun by the time he really needs interchangeable chokes anyways.

[JagerDog]

The Big5 is a nice starter gun that his brother can then step up from into something better suited to his desires if/when he decides he is really interested in shooting. At which time the Big5 could be regulated to HD duty with the 18.5" barrel on it at all times. Or little bro can simply buy a barrel with chokes if he likes the feel of the Mossberg. No need for big bro to lay out serious bucks.

Nobody said "serious bucks". If clays/hunting is the focus, get a gun (barrel) with that focus. Similar $'s. FWIW, you can always add a HD barrel too..if the gun becomes relegated to that duty. Or get the REAL combo listed in Mossbergs catalogue instead of the "made for Big 5" model for a few extra $'s.

I know CG doesn't have many shotgun enthusiasts outside of HD types. But the hunting/flying target world is best served by a proper firearm. Hard to be much more versatile in that world than a 28" barrel with adjustable chokes. Skeet, quail, trap, dove, ducks, sporting clays..all better served by adjustable chokes. HD only marginally served better by short barrel. This should a FIRST shotgun, not a "starter "shotgun" which will be found inadequate for much of it's purpose out the gate.

Now if HD was specified with infrequent trap, then perhaps the Big 5 combo would suffice...but never be better than having chokes on the bird barrel.

[em9sredbeam]

Thank you guys for all the information so far. I didn't realize any shot guns are still made with fixed chokes. I may have overlooked that with a big 5 combo. I'm starting to lean towards the tristar. Besides finish I'm not really seeing any poor reviews, and for 400, they have adjustable chokes. Unless of course I come across a good used deal.

[em9sredbeam]

Also that cz looks nice, very tempting. Can someone inform me how a 24 inch barrel would affect the usability of the gun? Weight vs range? I've never hunted or trap shot with anything other than 28".

[JagerDog]

Also that cz looks nice, very tempting. Can someone inform me how a 24 inch barrel would affect the usability of the gun? Weight vs range? I've never hunted or trap shot with anything other than 28".

Ballistically, there's very little difference between a 24 and 28" barrel. The longer barrel can help smooth the swing and promote follow through a bit. But if we're talking about a smaller person, we're talking scale.

Don't overlook the Weatherby.

[M1NM]

Buy him one he'll have for a lifetime.