lincs1963 Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Right chaps, here is a question I hope you can help me with. My son is 13 in June and would like his own shotgun. He is quite small for his age, he has been shooting a single barrel 410 since he was 9 and would now like a full sized gun. We have looked at Hatsan escort youth models and although they look quite attractive he would really like a 12 bore. He has fired my pump and semi autos, no problem with recoil but they are just physically too big for him. So my question is what are the smallest 12 bore semi autos out there or which ones lend themselves to being reduced in size? Thanks in advance for any suggestions, also if anyone has a son or daughter that is moving up and have a suitable gun that might be of interest to me I will be pleased to hear from you. regards, Neil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Any with a short barrel and wood stock. Wood can be cut down and the peice put back on easily as the lad grows. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 you can get 20 bore autos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 (edited) Right chaps, here is a question I hope you can help me with. My son is 13 in June and would like his own shotgun. He is quite small for his age, he has been shooting a single barrel 410 since he was 9 and would now like a full sized gun. We have looked at Hatsan escort youth models and although they look quite attractive he would really like a 12 bore. you can get 20 bore autos NOt a fan of semi's as a first gun..... but any 25/26" semi with a wood stock cut to suit would work, balance will be all off especially with 2 in the mag tube, an older semi that can cycle light shells woudl be the key. You can get them for £100 http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Shotgun/Rottweil-67G-gun-for-sale-gs139668.aspx http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/6837-Browning-B-80-M-C-for-sale Edited May 19, 2013 by HDAV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NathanM Posted May 19, 2013 Report Share Posted May 19, 2013 Wnchester sx3 are pretty light, and slim in the foregrip. They also seem to cycle every shell I put through it, although I've only gone down to 28g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B B Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Hatsan escorts have the adjustable recoil pad layout that makes easy adjustment for length from child right through to adult dimensions, in both 12 and 20ga. Available anywhere new or used and with spares available from most gunshops in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradders Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 The Benelli Woodcock (Beccaccia) is 12g, 24" barrels and weighs in at a little over 6lbs 4oz......also cycles lighter loads. Even though it's barrels are 24" it's overall length is similar to my 28" Browning...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Physically too big can be length, weight, or thickness (of grips/forends). For most youths, it is front hand/arm strength that is the problem. They aren't strong enough to hold the front of the gun out. That is best solved with short barrels and an appropriate sizzed stock (plus plenty of time shooting it and developing the muscles). If a 20b would work, I'd have said a remington 1100 LT20 as they are small, lightweight, and thin. About perfect for what you're asking. Absent that, You'll have to compromise somewhere a little and go try some things. The aluminum frame of the Franchi means that my 28" barreled gun is well under 7 lb. If I were to cut the stock down to youth size and trim 4" off the barrel, it would be a featherweight. The forend is reasonably slim for smallish hands. And, you can get them cheaply second hand so you're not worried about ruining the value of a £1k gun. The standard 1100 or 11-87 has a 21" or 24" barrel option (slug barrel or turkey barrel) if you can find them which means not even cutting down a barrel. They also have youth stocks available. The forend on the 11-87 isn't the slimmest, so try before you buy. Also, they are a little heavy at full length, so you'd need a cut down set of components (at which point it is nicely sized for your needs). The benelli ultralight would be another to consider as it is very light and thin (aluminum frame, inertia drive system). Though, they aren't cheap. thanks rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikaveli Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Just so we're clear, even if it's a youth model, a semi-auto (or pump) shotgun must be at least 40" long overall and have at least a 24" barrel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
station Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 (edited) Just so we're clear, even if it's a youth model, a semi-auto (or pump) shotgun must be at least 40" long overall and have at least a 24" barrel. Well said that man ! Edited May 20, 2013 by station Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodo123 Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Why a semi? A small 20 would probably be better balanced and doesn't spit shells everywhere... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincs1963 Posted May 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Why a semi? A small 20 would probably be better balanced and doesn't spit shells everywhere... It's just me trying to reduce the trauma of recoil for him, my sister in law has a 20 bore and she is only 4'9" tall so I might let him have a go with that and see how he gets on. To everyone else who has replied thanks. I am still not sure which way to go bu I do now have some avenues to look at. ATB, Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katash Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Is it worth bothering getting a small gun? Knowing how fast kids grow at that age he will probably out-grow it in a very short time - My first gun was a 28" 12b Lanber O/U and I was a tiny 15 year old - by 16 I had a 28" Fabarm semi-auto and although I was still short and very light I got on fine with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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