20 gauge semi auto advice

[jstew]

I'm looking a 20 gauge semi auto for my forteen-year-old daughter. The gun will be for ducks and turkey. She will be using the gun maybe five times a year, so I don't want to break the bank. cz 720, Remington 1187, .... the more I look, the more unsure I become.

[RayPDA]

Considering cost, the amount of shooting, aftermarket/parts support -
I believe a 20ga 1100 with a youth stock/shorter length of pull(or whatever fits her best depending on size) would do you well, especially if you find one used - keep it clean and properly lubricated, have some spare o-rings, lots of shells and let her have a blast!

[mikey357]

I'm looking a 20 gauge semi auto for my forteen-year-old daughter. The gun will be for ducks and turkey. She will be using the gun maybe five times a year, so I don't want to break the bank. cz 720, Remington 1187, .... the more I look, the more unsure I become.

Most important will be the fit. You will probably have to have her try out a bunch of different guns.

[ysr_racer]

My wife shoots a Rem 1100 20ga youth model. She's only 5 feet tall, and can handle it easily.

[Hsemaan]

look into the Mossberg SA-20 Bantam. I got for my 12yr old ... he is 14 now and is still shooting it.

[ysr_racer]

I'm looking a 20 gauge semi auto for my forteen-year-old daughter. The gun will be for ducks and turkey. She will be using the gun maybe five times a year, so I don't want to break the bank. cz 720, Remington 1187, .... the more I look, the more unsure I become.

My wife shoots a Rem 1100 20ga youth model. She's only 5 feet tall, and can handle it easily.

Where do you live? If you're in So Cal, she's welcome to try my wife's.

[Pfletch83]

A Mossberg 500E .410 pump will do the job if needed (with the right loads and choke for the intended purpose)

Winchester has a 1/2 ounce 2-1/2 inch shell out for sporting uses.

Defensive use would be best with a fixed cylinder choke 18.5 inch barrel ('000' buck and slugs)

If you want to get a bit of fitting done (L.O.P.,pitch,ect) she could have a very nice custom gun for a fraction of the cost of most entry level pieces.

Though the .410 is best for bushy tails and rabbit.

(should stick to a 20 or 28 guage for turkey and the like)

[bernieb90]

The .410 is actually better for expert rather than novice shooters IMHO. Misses lead to dicouragement which leads to not wanting to hunt. A 20GA is about perfect for young shooters, and a semi 20ga with a good recoil pad (most factory pads suck) is much easier to shoot well than a .410.

As mentioned take her to the store and have her try a bunch of shotguns. You may need to cut the stock, and put a thicker recoil pad on there so you can do some fitting right there. Also a cheeke pad is good for young shooters with thin faces, as it keeps their cheeks from getting beaten up, and makes things a lot more pleasant.