Youth Hunt - And I Need Info on Youth Shotgun

Victor Duskin

Victor Duskin

Active member
Its been a long time...

My first hunt this year was on Youth Day Feb 6th (My Birthday)... and it was the best Birthday I have had in a long, long time...
after dragging My Son Tyler to every youth hunt since he was 2, this year was his year.. and at the age of 9 and 3 boxes of shell...LOL
he Finally got his Duck! A big bull Alabama Grey Mallard (Gadwall) And boy was he proud... Me too! When it was handed to him...
He craddled it and extended it out to me and pronouced "Happy Birthday Daddy".. - He's a good boy!
The dog in the picture is not mine... I still haven't found it in my heart yet to get another... but that is slowing fading away...

Gun Question

Tyler shot a borrowed Tri-Star 20ga Auto... Nice little Gun... I e-mailed them and asked if they made a youth gun for a Lefty.. - well they don't but can switch the safety over for a lefty..
My Question is.. is There a Youth Gun for Lefty's out there?
The Shell ejecting from the right side across his face didn't seem to bother him... but I think it'd be nice to have a left handed gun...

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Victor,

I'm a lefty and my first gun was an Ithaca 20 gauge pump (featherlight). Don't know if it is still made but it is about the size your son could handle and it was not a youth model.

The shell ejects out of the bottom of the gun, thus is perfect for us lefty's. I'm in Huntsville and if they still make the gun, you are welcome to check it out if there is nothing local for you to see.
 
I'd highly reccomend the stoeger youth over/under, especially for lefty's. It has the top tang safety, plus it's really light and balanced well for a kid.

Eric can probably add more insight.
 
I'd highly reccomend the stoeger youth over/under, especially for lefty's. It has the top tang safety, plus it's really light and balanced well for a kid.

Eric can probably add more insight.
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Not a big fan of O/Us or single shots for that reason; the light weight makes them recoil harder and the youngster can become recoil shy real fast. A friend of mine's son is AFRAID to shoot a gun now because of recoil issues. A gas operated semi-auto with a youth friendly stock and barrel length is, in my personal opinion, the best possible option for a youngster to start out with. Even a 12 GA. shooting 2 3/4" shells would be about the same as 3" magnum 20 GA. loads. Next would be a pump with a nice soft recoil pad and the stock cut down to fit.
 
Congratulations to you and your son.

You might want to add the Browning BPS Micro to your review list as well. It also has a top tang safety and bottom ejection. I've always loved the handling aspects of the BPS, mine is beat from too many years shooting sea ducks but it's still a great shooter.
 
I tried to start my son out with a cut down 1100 semi, but the weight was too far forward for him. He had to lean back to shoot it. That's when I got the over/under, and it's the best thing I've ever done. I think it all depends on the size/strength of the kid, but he's much better off with the o/u. I watch what shells he shoots out of it, but he was just getting frustrated with the 1100 because he couldn't swing it properly. Same with a youth 870 we tried.

I think it's different for each kid, but we tried them all and decided on the over under.
 
I tried to start my son out with a cut down 1100 semi, but the weight was too far forward for him. He had to lean back to shoot it. That's when I got the over/under, and it's the best thing I've ever done. I think it all depends on the size/strength of the kid, but he's much better off with the o/u. I watch what shells he shoots out of it, but he was just getting frustrated with the 1100 because he couldn't swing it properly. Same with a youth 870 we tried.

I think it's different for each kid, but we tried them all and decided on the over under.
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If he had to lean back, the stock was probably still a tad long for him. You are so right though; every youngster is different and it really does come down to the size and strength of the individual as to which is the best choice.
 
The length to the forend is what can cause trouble with young shooters. My son started hunting at an early age, 8, and is average sized. We tried a lot of guns and the Stoeger was by far the best fit. Every pump and gas gun was too long. Those guns require 3" of action that a double barell doesn't need. A double puts the forend closer to the chamber which really helps the smaller shooter handle the gun. Stay away from a gun that has your son's arm stretched straight in order to shoot. If you son is big enough then they will have a lot of choices. But when you start young and small the selection narrows significantly. I've met Victor's son Tyler and bet he is right on the border of being able to comfortably handle an action shotgun. If not this year then probably next.

Congrats Vic on Tyler's good hunt. Looks like all had a good time.
 
Victor, great story and pics. I can see why you would be proud.....and Happy Birthday a little late. I know browning drops it out the bottom on the BPS line of guns. I would look for a used BPS to start. Good luck. dc

P.S.........get another dog!
 
Thanks Eric. That's exactly what I found with my son. The butstock was plenty short, but the weight and forearm were too far forward due to the action. Now he's ready for a semi, and has actually jumped straight to my old auto-5 12 gauge, even though I have a 20 gauge pump he could use.
 
The little Auto 20ga he shot, he loved... Most of the pumps we have looked at the forearms are to long for him...and makes him feel uneasy...

I love Brownings and with them ejecting out the bottom is right down the alley for him being left hand...the ones we looked at the forearm were out of reach for him... but i never heard of the BPS Micro... but will certainly look into that..

Tyler is stout... and so the over under i believe is a option as well...

Thanks
Vic
 
Victor, great story and pics. I can see why you would be proud.....and Happy Birthday a little late. I know browning drops it out the bottom on the BPS line of guns. I would look for a used BPS to start. Good luck. dc

P.S.........get another dog!
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Thanks! I have thumbed thru a few listing for a new pup... who knows.. maybe...
 
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