Youth shotgun benelli or 870

[spruilldog]

I need some help. I'm looking for a shotgun for my 13 yo son. This will be used mostly for deer but he may want to do some rabbit or bird hunting as well. I was looking at 20 gauge but would like to hear opinions. I was thinking about an 870 express but at the local gunshop they recommended a benelli. I think it was the nova pump youth model. What do you recommend. What are going prices for these guns? The benelli was $395, the 870 was less but I don't remember exactly how much. My son seemed to like the look and feel of the benelli a little better. I know next to nothing about shotguns. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Lee Lapin]

The best way to establish 'fit and feel' of unfamiliar guns is by shooting them. See if there's a gun club in your area that rents guns and see what they have available, ask around among friends and relatives and see if they have any of the models you're looking at (or other makes/models a young shooter might be able to use, you of course buy the ammo).

Let him handle some 12s while you're at it too, recoil from some lightweight 20 ga. guns can be unexpectedly brisk with heavier loads. Could be a 20 ga. 1100 might be worth looking for, the gas guns generally don't beat up a shooter as bad as some other types. But get the youngster some trigger time, on guns that fit him, and let him choose based on experience.

lpl/nc