Opinions on these brands please.

[30-6]

Was asked advice on a 20g o/u for a 15 year old. Not too expensive.

I was thinking as I've read about them but not actually seeing one a Yildis. But when in an RFD shop today the guy said not to overlook ATA or KOF.

Anyone use or have an opinion on these brands.

[Lloyd90]

Buy whichever one is cheapest and available locally secondhand. 
 

Your young person won’t be 15 for long and will likely move into something else / bigger long before you’d worry about the gun being shot out. 

[Dave at kelton]

Have two Yildiz for grandchildren, 20 &28, great little guns!

[ninjaferret]

Firstly look at what the youngster feels is comfortable . The more he hit's the better he'll feel and if the gun feels comfortable perhaps that will go hand in hand. Just like a pup success builds confidence. 

I'm not saying go for a fitted gun, just build the lad's confidence. And i wouldn't have thought there will be a great deal of difference in price any way.

[gdadphil]

i bought a 20 bore Yildiz for my grandaughter to use.

multi choke 26 inch barrel just needed a comb riser to allow for higher cheek bone

she loves it

 

[Wharf Rat]

Yildiz are a good bet.  A gunsmith pal recommends ATA as well made.  He mentioned it in conversation rather than trying to sell me one.  

[Charliedog]

All 3 are actually decent and reliable, triggers can be a little bit agricultural but if you dont know any different then fine, my 2 boys have put a few thousand through a kofs 20 bore with a junior stock but you can buy an adults stock new for £85 as they grow.

[Centrepin]

I have a KOFs .410 O/U bought new. Was so impressed I bought the 12 bore as well for pigeon/crow. No regrets on either, if I used 20 bore I'd buy another.

 

[DUNKS]

I recently bought a Kofs .410 for the grandkids to start shooting with. Just cant fault it! Bit rough around the edges but well capable. Only criticism was the wood inside of the forend and part of the stock which fits to the action was a bit raw "no finish" a wet day would not have done it much good but easily fixed.

[Dasher]

When I shouldered a Kofs and Yildiz I found they put my eye at a different heights in relation to the rib so you need to try each gun. I also found the Kofs trigger to be much much heavier than the Yildiz however this may have been a one off.

[Westley]

Can I suggest that a 15 years old can handle a 12 bore with 21 gram cartridges  ?  My 2 Grandkids were using a 28 bore at 11, then a 20 bore at 13, switching to a 12 bore Beretta auto, Field model, with 24 gram cartridges or a 12 bore 725 black edition 30" barrels and 21 gram cartridges. There is a far bigger range of 12 bore guns and cartridges available.  Perhaps a Christmas present of a lesson with a Professional Instructor, who could also advise you on a suitable starter gun. He/She  is likely to have suitable guns and ammunition to carry out the lesson.

[Westward]

1 hour ago, Westley said:

Can I suggest that a 15 years old can handle a 12 bore with 21 gram cartridges  ?  My 2 Grandkids were using a 28 bore at 11, then a 20 bore at 13, switching to a 12 bore Beretta auto, Field model, with 24 gram cartridges or a 12 bore 725 black edition 30" barrels and 21 gram cartridges. There is a far bigger range of 12 bore guns and cartridges available.  Perhaps a Christmas present of a lesson with a Professional Instructor, who could also advise you on a suitable starter gun. He/She  is likely to have suitable guns and ammunition to carry out the lesson.

Couldn't agree more. 20 bores have their place - if you can afford the shells - but at 15 most kids want a grown up gun!

[Scully]

I only have experience of the Kofs Sceptre, and it seems a fine enough gun for a teen to cut his/her teeth on. 

[Westley]

I would look for a used Armsan or an older Beretta semi auto. You can pick one up for under £250. At that price  you don't mind chopping a piece off the end of the stock and then adding them back as he grows. Ignore the comments about not letting a youngster have an auto, they are no more dangerous than any other gun. They have the advantage of being cushioned recoil too, especially handy if he fails to mount correctly or lifts his head. It will also increase his barrel awareness IF he is taught correctly to start with. On the plus side, a slip on recoil pad and Dad can use it too..........what's not to like  ?

[Lloyd90]

17 hours ago, gdadphil said:

i bought a 20 bore Yildiz for my grandaughter to use.

multi choke 26 inch barrel just needed a comb riser to allow for higher cheek bone

she loves it

 

Is the 20 bore the same frame as the 28 and 410? 
 

Im wondering if the 410 is lighter or if they’re all the same weight gun. 

[Westley]

1 hour ago, Lloyd90 said:

Is the 20 bore the same frame as the 28 and 410? 
 

Im wondering if the 410 is lighter or if they’re all the same weight gun. 

I can't  speak for the .410  but I am sure the 20 and 28 bores that I had were. Both guns have moved on and their current owners are delighted with them, they are both around 7 years old now and have never missed a beat.

[Fellside]

I have the Yildiz 410 O/U. It’s a cracking little gun. I did shoot with a Kofs 410 try gun on a clay ground. I find these try guns to be very useful, as they take some punishment, and you can see how they stand up to it….or don’t. It hadn’t fared very well, being reluctant to close and the top lever was stiff to move. The Kofs issue may have been a one off, but of course I bought the Yildiz. 

[gdadphil]

14 hours ago, Lloyd90 said:

Is the 20 bore the same frame as the 28 and 410? 
 

Im wondering if the 410 is lighter or if they’re all the same weight gun. 

Sorry i dont know. All I do know is that my 13 yo grandaughter 5'1" can handle the youth stock  20 w ease but finds  a 12 bore even w 21 g carts an unpleasant experience.

if she gives up in a few months i will just keep it for her younger sisters

 

cheers

 

[gmm243]

I have a .410 but my boys went very quickly onto either a 12 or  a 20 bore. My 11 year old shoots a Lanber o/u 12. He shot two woodcock last week with it and last season shot quite a few ducks,woodcock and maybe 10 Canada.My 13 year old who is over 6' shoots the 20 bore but only as he prefers to shoot a side by side. I have always thought it better to get away from the 410 as quickly as possible when they were learning to shoot due to its light payload and often poor patterns I believe it to be a gun for an experienced shot not a beginner. A light load in a 12 have more pellets and  better pattern all day long and in theory their hit rate should increase.

I also often think that people think that just because a child is young they should automatically shoot a .410. I know a 15 year old who is still only allowed shoot a 410 as his dad says he is still a child.This lad is well fit to shoot a 12 or 20 and his shooting would be the better for it. There are very few  hidden of 10 or 11 that couldn't handle a short stocked 20 bore with a ight load.

[Fellside]

1 hour ago, gmm243 said:

I have a .410 but my boys went very quickly onto either a 12 or  a 20 bore. My 11 year old shoots a Lanber o/u 12. He shot two woodcock last week with it and last season shot quite a few ducks,woodcock and maybe 10 Canada.My 13 year old who is over 6' shoots the 20 bore but only as he prefers to shoot a side by side. I have always thought it better to get away from the 410 as quickly as possible when they were learning to shoot due to its light payload and often poor patterns I believe it to be a gun for an experienced shot not a beginner. A light load in a 12 have more pellets and  better pattern all day long and in theory their hit rate should increase.

I also often think that people think that just because a child is young they should automatically shoot a .410. I know a 15 year old who is still only allowed shoot a 410 as his dad says he is still a child.This lad is well fit to shoot a 12 or 20 and his shooting would be the better for it. There are very few  hidden of 10 or 11 that couldn't handle a short stocked 20 bore with a ight load.

Some valid comments. However, a lot of younger children find the barrel weight of guns larger than a 410 to make their leading arm tired quite quickly. The barrel weight just pulls downwards too much. It’s a classic case of 6 in a row straight off - then a lot of missing. With decent cart’s and appropriate chokes (i.e cylinder and 14 gram 7/12) the 410 really isn’t a problem. Recoil which adults wouldn’t really notice on larger bores, even with light loads, can also become a ‘put off’ factor.  I do agree though, that some parents / coaches let them continue with the 410 long after they’ve outgrown it.