doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Youth gun?

Need a 28 bore gun for my 8 year old grandson who is going to learn to shoot. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

I don't have any extra 28 gauge, but I do have Several Winchester Mdl 37's in 12, 16, 20 and .410. Single shots, with an external hammer. Lots of us learned on these. These are nice ones too, no beaters. Anyway if you would like more info or pictures, you can call me at 509-302-2076 JW

Private message sent.

Best regards, George

gomiata: Curious if it has to be a 28 gauge for a particular reason, or if you're just thinking that will be a good way to limit recoil. Quite a few of us have been down this path, but I won't try to steer you in some other direction unless you're open to ideas. TT

I would ask the same question about the selection of a 28 ga. I'll admit to being a recoil sissy so I buy the Winchester Feather Lites, I think that's the name. What they are are reduced recoil 12ga with 7/8oz shot. You hardly know they went off and they bust clays fine.

That said, and as we're offering what we have. I've a Ithaca SKB 20ga O/U that has been shortened for a child/woman. Also has a Limbsaver pad. Very light, a little over 6 pounds, bored SK & SK.

Been down this road too. Tried singles, doubles, and found the best to be a Remington 1100 Youth model in 20 gauge. Shells are cheap and easy to find. Best thing going for it is no recoil. A longer plug will convert it to a single shot and you can add a shell as you deem fit. I know it sounds awful, black stock and an automatic BUT if they enjoy shooting it and learn to hit with it you can upgrade later. If it ain't fun, they will not enjoy it. JMO

Post deleted by Jagermeister

CZ Bobwhite is a cheap but tough little gun in 28ga.

Two triggers, Thanks for you and everyone that has given thoughts. The reason I want a 28 bore is that I will use the very light 5/8 oz RST shells. They have almost no recoil even in a light gun and are great not only on clays #8 but we are going after Pheasant #6 and over pointing dogs my grandson will have a good chance. I find these 28 bore shells to have a great pattern for the birds better than the 20 bore. Just my opinion.

Based on my experience with 3 junior shooters over the past 20 years, I wouldn't start an 8 year old with a double shotgun. Too heavy, too much weight forward, too much boom and recoil, even in 28 ga RST's. Don't want to make the little guy flinch and not like the shooting experience. I'd get him a single shot bolt action 22 that weighs about 4 pounds and let him plink targets at the range to his hearts content. Sort of like running your retreiver puppy on 1000 thrown dummies before expecting him to pick up a real bird. My 11 year old now shoots a Parker 16 gauge with aplomb, but had a lot of trouble with a cut down 20 ga Eibar double I bought for him at age 8. I just put it away and brought out the 22 and the Crossman pellet gun until he grew a little. JMHO.

Gomiata,
Despite the fact we're on a double gun website, I'd vote for a 20 ga. auto as well. I'm blessed with covey of grandchildren, all nicely spaced about four years apart. I bought 2 Remington LT 20's, put a plastic youth stock on one, left the other with the original wood. I was lucky, one had an Imp. Cyl. fixed coke, the other a modified. Giving the little guys every possible opportunity for success, I barreled the youth gun with the I.C. I figure I'll be able to supply the covey for the next 15 years! My eldest grand daughter is 13, just about big enough to graduate to the full sized gun. Shooting 3/4 oz. #8 loads, these little autos have virtually no recoil and still break targets with amazing regularity. A real plus is a long plug making the youth gun a single shot, the kids are taught the action is either open and safe or closed and loaded. If you saw me shoot you'd know I shouldn't get into an arguement with anyone over the virtues of a single sighting plane vs. a s/s, but I believe it is easier to learn
An added benefit has been my daughter, who never took up shooting, has a ball shooting with her daughter! Whatever your decision, encourage those little guys to get out and try the shooting sports, our hobby needs an infusion of youth.

gomiata: Most of this advice is where I was headed as well. I chose a 20-ga. auto for my son, after considering every option available and asking a lot of questions here first. I too am a fan of the 28-ga., but the 20 offers more bang for the buck in many ways: cheaper, easier to find ammo in greater variety; more pellets; more guns to choose from at lower prices. The 20-ga. auto absorbs most recoil and, as a bonus, will take a 3-in. waterfowl or turkey load. Set your youngster up with a better gun once shooting has become fun. Food for thought. TT

I bought a Stoeger 28 SxS. It was a basic A&D BLNE. It had good dimensions and was a fun/cheap intro into SxS and 28. Maybe a wholesaler still has some around. I had to ask my dealer to order it. I don't know if it is still made.
Joe

I found a youth model Browning Citori O/U 20-ga for my son when he was about 8 years old. He handled the recoil just fine. The biggest reason was the gun fit him well. Shorter stock, Shorter barrels (24"), had choke tubes and still weighd about 6+ lbs. He hunted that gun untill he just out grew it.

Bill G.

Gomita: I PMd you about two 28 gauge guns that I have FS. I don't know if you received it. Both are HUGLU ARMSCO guns. One is a SxS like new the other is an O&U NIB. My dad started me out with a Fox Sterlingworth & I have been a double gun lover ever since. I did the same with my son & although he shoots an auto sometimes he loves his doubles. It's about tradition & personal preference.

Just My Humble Opinion.........George