starter shotgun...

Pads usually add around an inch if you don't cut the stock down. Kick-eez, the Pachmyr Decelerator and the Remington R3 are all top notch.

I found the Kick-eez the easiest to sand down to fit, with the Decelerator doing the best overall recoil control.
 
A 28 Ga insert in a 12 Ga gun has about as much recoil as a 22 bolt action.

"Chambermates" are designed for break action double guns, although they can also be used in break action singles. They are sold in pairs.

A better choice would be Briley "Companions" These are full length inserts with interchangeable choke tubes.

I used a set of these in my Remington O/U and there was absolutely no recoil. But the balance of the gun was difficult to get used to as they do add weight up front.

28 GA is the gauge for young shooters, better patterns and adequate for most upland game.
 
Check with some of the big sporting goods stores on line. They may have gauge reducers at a much more attractive price without some of the bells and whistles that the ChamberMates have. I found these Browning tubes at the MidwayUSA.com site: http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.ex...+Begin+Search.x=14&Click+to+Begin+Search.y=11

A 28 gauge won't recoil nearly as bad as a 20. It throws about 3/4 oz of lead in a typical field load. The .410 contains 1/2 oz. for the 2 1/2 inch shells. Recoil is roughly proportional to the shot load for a given gun weight.

Clemson
 
BTW when looking for a used Remington 20, go to the local gun club/ Trap/Skeet range and check the bulletin boards. Gun shops and newspaper classifieds are NOT the place to look. Gun stores sell the good stuff to their regulars first and 1100's are hot items.

If you do not see what you want, put up a Want ad of your own! Trap shooters usually have a safe full of guns and may decide to sell juniors 1100 to finance their new Krieghoff since junior has grown out of it.
 
:) Thank you all very much!! I think with your generous help, I have found a way for the boy to grow with the shotgun granpa got him. I haven't checked all the new options out, but the browning tubes I looked at were the icing on the cake. :) This will give the kids and I a chance to use what we've got, while they get more familiar with firearms and I get some cash flow built up for something they can use on there own in a few years. Now I need to get a bench set up in the back yard so we can sit and wait on the turkeys to walk through on their way to my aunts' mushroom patch :D , and one out by the garden for when the bunnies come to eat and we're all set. :D Thanks again. Shell
 
starter shotgun

The Pheasants Forever chapter that I belong to (Logan Creek) has been holding a youth mentor hunt for 10 years now. During that time, we have had approximately 240 kids go through the program. In order to participate, they must have completed the state hunter ed. course and be 12 or older (so basically 12-15). Several years ago, our chapter purchased 5, 870 20 ga. youth model shotguns for use at this event, basically to ensure that all of the kids had a safe, dependable shotgun to use that should fit them fairly well. As part of the program, we take them out to shoot some blue rocks in order to get familiar with the gun, and help them learn a little about shooting.
I've watched and helped an awful lot of kids during that time, and I would say that these shotguns, while "fitting" as far as length is concerened are too heavy, especially front heavy for most of the younger ones that we work with. When they bring the gun up, they shift their hips forward and upper body back to try hold the barrel up and maintain their balance. A lot of them don't have the strength and stability to hold the weight of the shotgun with their left hand in this new, unusual position. When we work on proper shooting position, they just about tip over forward, at least for the first few times they shoulder the gun. We can then get them into position, but starting to work on swing and follow thru, they lose it again and go back to "hips forward leaning back" position that they started with.
My personal view is that a good starter gun for smaller kids would be a single barrel for better balance, light loads, with a good recoil pad, and possibly even add some weight or a recoil dampener into the buttstock. Probably the best thing would be to work a lot on stance, stability, balance, and strength, before they ever get to shoot. Remember the old game where two kids grab each other's hands and try to push/pull the other one off balance? Start with that to show them the importance of a solid foundation and balance, then give them an empty gun, or bb gun, toy gun, whatever and have them practice mounting/swinging it a lot before ever letting them shoot.
Anyway, I've rambled on long enough, and thats my 2 cents worth.
Me? The first shotgun I ever fired was a 12 ga. M24 Winchester, The first one I got to carry hunting was a 20 ga. bolt action borrowed from a cousin, and then when I was 13 dad bought me 12 ga. High Standard pump 2 3/4" chamber modified choke that I used on everything- doves, quail, prairie chickens, sharptails, pheasants, ducks, geese and turkeys (and a few other non bird critters) for 20+ years. I've bought a few others recently, but I never did like one as well.
bergie
 
My first shotgun I had ever fired was a remington 870 wingmaster. I was about 14 years old and shot skeet against my father and uncle. I hit 28 out 0f 30 if I recall. I had beaten them both my first time out. I highly recommend the model 870 12 gauge. I remember them warning me of the recoil of the 12 gauge. I dont recall that being a problem. P.S they were complaining it was a modified choke rather than full for their poor performance. If that were the case then how come I did so good?
 
Right now and over the next few years, the biggest obstacle I think we are facing is reach. They can both lift the 12ga. My oldest can shoulder it for about 1/2 a second! It's given them the insentive to build muscle,though, which is helping me in the eating and chore department.:D I'd like to take them in and see my oldest with the different makes/models we're discussing. I want the kids to have obtainable goals. It may help me in the decision making process, too.
 
My first gun was and still is a Mossberg 183D 3 shot bolt action .410 bore shotgun. I learned to shoot squirrels with it when I was 8 years old, and could hit any squirrel I shot at. That is one of the few guns that I will never part with, save to pass it down to my son when he is big enough. I did a lot of squirrel hunting with that shotgun, and still enjoy shooting skeet with it (informally, of course). A squirrel sitting on a tree is an easy shot with that .410.

I recommend a .410, especially that Mossberg because it teaches good bolt-action techniques, they are cheap to buy, and mine has two chokes for various occaisions. In any case, it was easier to learn on than a 20 would be, and for squirrels, a 20 ga seems a bit much.

Davis
 
Okay, this mossberg you mentioned, will they be able to shoot turkeys at close range? They walk through the "yard", about 50 feet from the house, or less sometimes. I wasn't able to find anything at Mossberg or Mossberg Int on the bolt action shotgun. I did find an article pertaining to a recall of the 695 (I think) Mossberg bolt action in 99-00. Would you happen to have a link available?
 
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