Shotgun for daughter

[McAuley]

I am looking to buy a shotgun for my daughter and looking at a few but wanted to see anyones experiences. I am new to the forum for posting but have been reading for a little while. I am not looking to spend a fortune but am will to pay up to about $700 (only if semi-auto though). My daughter is nine, 4'2" or so and about 60 pounds. I really do not want to get into a .410 due to I already own a 12 and 20 gauge and do not want to add another ammo type with handguns/rifles/shotguns....not to mention the availability of .410. I want to get her something that will last and grow with her also. I am looking at a gun shop on line due to being in Afghanistan and not really able to take her to the store. Here are the ones I am looking at:

Mossberg 20 Ga. Super Bantam w/22" Blue Barrel/Accu-Chokes/P $330.00

Mossberg 510 20g 18" ACC MUDY $333.00

Remington 1187 Compact Sportsman 20ga 21" MOBU (camo) $691.00

Any other suggestions are appreciated. Remington is Semi-auto but have seen some bad ones from reviews, while Mossberg 510 have seen kicks really bad. I like how Mossberg grows with them but want a semi-auto for her size and recoil. So not sure about a pump but know loads can help. Thanks for any onformation!

[Dan20703]

Just my opinion but having a 9 year old of that size using a 20 gauge shotgun may not be comfortable to her. This could cause her to develop the opinion that it's no fun because it hurts. No father wants that to happen. I had my daughters shoot .22 for years until they graduated to a rifle that had actual recoil. Even then they didn't like it for a couple more years. My daughter was 13 before she actually went hunting deer with a .243 because I could tell that earlier than that she was uncomfortable with the recoil.

Is the purchase of the shotgun your idea or hers? Does she want her own shotgun or are you saying she needs one? Not to ruin your anticipation of hunting with your daughter but I would wait until she was a little older and big enough to handle the recoil of a 20 gauge without the discomfort she might face now. A .410 model may be the better introductory gun now, though you said you don't want to go that route.

In the end, only you can make the decision as to what is best for her.

[RoyGBiv]

+1 to what Dan said.
When my kids were about that size, the recoil was actually the lesser problem. The weight of a 20Ga shotgun is pretty heavy for a kid that size. My youngest preferred to shoot an AR/5.56 at that size. Recoil was low and he could shoot it from a bench rest. And he enjoyed the giant "BOOM" more than the .22... Who wouldn't?

When you're home, if you are anywhere near DFW, I'm sure we can get some locals together for a kids range day and let her try out some kid-sized shotguns from local collections before you buy anything. I don't have anything kid-sized in a shotgun, but I'd be happy to bring a kid friendly .22LR rifle for her to try out. She'd be welcome to try our 20Ga double (adult sized LOP), I can pick up some low-recoil loads to try, if you're still heading in the shotgun direction.

Would be a great reason to get together and make for a fun day.

[rotor]

I too have been researching the same thing for my 8 yo grandson, he is small for age. I have not been able to find anything suitable. My wife had difficulty finding a shotgun that she could handle length wise and finally settled on a Beretta A400 xcel trap, reduced length 12 g with kickoff system. They make a 20 g now but don't cater at all to youngsters or women. Too bad as this would be a great market. I see youngsters shooting trap all the time but they seem to be struggling with big guns. Beretta has a terrible website and it is very hard to find some of their models.

[RPBrown]

I will say this, my dad got me a 20 GA. when I was 9. It was a little single shot (still have it today). The recoil was, at that age, horrible. I vaguely recall not wanting to shoot it any more for the first few years. At about 12, I got to where I could handle it okay but still kicked a lot.
I would start them out on a 410, which I did for my grand daughter on her 9th birthday. She is now 13 and shoots my 12 ga. just fine.

[RoyGBiv]

Cool....

Rossi Matched Pair Youth Rifle/Shotgun Combo S411225BS, 22LR w/18.5 in Barrel, 410 Gauge w/22 in Barrel, Nickel Finish, Synthetic Stock

$234+ fees.

[CC Italian]

My wife is only 4 10 and she likes the 20 gauge. For a 9 year old girl I would do 22lr or 410. I think the 20 is to heavy and recoil is going to be a lot.

[McAuley]

It is actually going to be a shared gun. My wife is scared of my 12 gauge pump and want to get her involved with a shotgun as well. I already have her (my daughter) a 10-22 and plan on it staying her primary gun until she grows into this. I am really leaning toward the semi-auto so that it may be a little uncomfortable but managable, while definitly do not want to scare off a kid with recoil. I know 9 is a little young but really want her to be around the guns. Thanks all for the input!

[McAuley]

+1 to what Dan said.
When my kids were about that size, the recoil was actually the lesser problem. The weight of a 20Ga shotgun is pretty heavy for a kid that size. My youngest preferred to shoot an AR/5.56 at that size. Recoil was low and he could shoot it from a bench rest. And he enjoyed the giant "BOOM" more than the .22... Who wouldn't?

When you're home, if you are anywhere near DFW, I'm sure we can get some locals together for a kids range day and let her try out some kid-sized shotguns from local collections before you buy anything. I don't have anything kid-sized in a shotgun, but I'd be happy to bring a kid friendly .22LR rifle for her to try out. She'd be welcome to try our 20Ga double (adult sized LOP), I can pick up some low-recoil loads to try, if you're still heading in the shotgun direction.

Would be a great reason to get together and make for a fun day.

I live around Fort Hood, where I work. I do get up to DFW sometimes and would love to get her to try out different guns. She likes my AR (Stag A3) and her 10-22. I have not been shooting my shotguns much due to targets at the range. I have a 20 gauge with a 3 round mag bolt action and a 12 gauge pump, .308, bunch of 22's, and a 30 30. Plus two 9 mm pistols and getting me a 45 while I am here. I want a semi-auto shotgun and this seems like a good reason to me. Anyway if ever down toward Austin, let me know. I plan on continuing to post around here.

[McAuley]

Just my opinion but having a 9 year old of that size using a 20 gauge shotgun may not be comfortable to her. This could cause her to develop the opinion that it's no fun because it hurts. No father wants that to happen. I had my daughters shoot .22 for years until they graduated to a rifle that had actual recoil. Even then they didn't like it for a couple more years. My daughter was 13 before she actually went hunting deer with a .243 because I could tell that earlier than that she was uncomfortable with the recoil.

Is the purchase of the shotgun your idea or hers? Does she want her own shotgun or are you saying she needs one? Not to ruin your anticipation of hunting with your daughter but I would wait until she was a little older and big enough to handle the recoil of a 20 gauge without the discomfort she might face now. A .410 model may be the better introductory gun now, though you said you don't want to go that route.

In the end, only you can make the decision as to what is best for her.

She does want one and we will be hunting this year together when I get home. I agree on the .410 but really do not want to go that route. The Remington claims "All compact firearms are equipped with our new Adjustable Length of Pull System. So, fit can be customized to youngsters as they grow, and adults requiring a shorter length of pull can tailor compact firearms to their specific needs." I was hoping it might fit the bill but seems like if I get it it will more than likely be the wifes gun until she grows into it. She is okay with the recoil of the AR, as long as it is on a bench rest. Figure I will stay with semi-auto and let her grow into it. Thanks for the input though!

[OldCurlyWolf]

A .410 is NOT a child's shotgun. They are for Experts.

Harder to find but much more compatible would be a 32 or a 28 gauge. A 28 is much more common in the US than the 32.

[xring]

Something else to consider if you know someone who reloads shotgun shells there are 3/4 oz loads for 20 gauge that recoil much like a 28 gauge. A 28 gauge gun would be perfect but the shells are very expensive and not very easy to find.

xring

[Right2Carry]

Look for a semi auto in 20 gauge, due to the action it will absorb a lot of the recoil and I believe to be easier on the shoulder than a .410 that is a pump or single shot.

[xring]

Right2carry is correct that a gas operated 20 gauge will recoil less than a fixed action model, but in my experience it is never close to the low recoil of the 2 1/2 inch .410 Just a side note the 410 is not a gauge I think it is more the caliber in inches like a .41 caliber . Gauges can be calculated by the number of bore diameter lead ball that it takes to make a pound.
IE a 10 Gauge takes 10 a 12- 12 20-20 etc . Not 410 pure lead balls Side side note: Very hard for new wing shooters to hit moving targets with a .410


xring