Boy Shooting Trap
"…the firearms industry has taken time to listen
to what young hunters want and need for a
hunting shotgun and have developed models
specifically for them."

Shotguns for young hunters

I can remember it as clearly today as if it just happened. I found the squirrel sitting on a big oak limb, eating an acorn, and lined up the front bead of the shotgun with the squirrel’s head. I pulled the trigger, which I could barely reach. At the report of the 12 gauge firing, it felt like I was hit by lightning. My shoulder and right cheek were kicked as if by a mule. In fact, the big gun spun me around so I had no idea if I hit the squirrel.

That was my first shotgun, and I was about 12 years old. To say it was a youth gun would be a joke. It was a heavy, old single-barrel 12 gauge with a 30-inch barrel and a stock that resulted in about a 15-inch length of pull. It was all I could do to carry it. I dreaded each shot, but I was bound and determined to be a hunter. There were no youth guns around in those days, at least not anywhere near Tater Knob, Ala.

The next generation of hunters of today, as well as hunters of small stature, do not have to endure such torture tests, for the firearms industry has taken time to listen to what young hunters want and need for a hunting shotgun and have developed models specifically for them.

Most agree as to what makes a good youth shotgun:

A number of firearm companies now offer youth model shotguns with spacers that can be added to the butt as the youngster grows. One company, TriStar, has a youth gun, the Viper G2, with two stocks: one with a short length of pull and one with a standard length of pull.

The firearms industry realizes that if we are to recruit a new generation of shooters, there must be guns available that make the shooting sports safe and fun. They are answering this call by developing guns designed for the small-frame hunter. I’ve given you a fairly complete list, but by the time you read this, there will probably be several more youth models available, not only in shotguns but rifles as well. No longer will a youngster have to endure what I did as I started my hunting career. — J. Wayne Fears

Shotguns for young, small-frame hunters

Single Shot

Pump Action

Autoloaders

• Weatherby has a new youth autoloading shotgun, the SA-08 – Youth Synthetic. It has a short, 12½-inch
length of pull, a 24-inch barrel and weighs only 5 3/4 pounds. It is balanced for young shooters and is trim and lightweight for young hands. It features a black synthetic stock.

• The 20-gauge TriStar Viper G2 Youth Synthetic comes with two stocks, one with a 13-inch length of pull and an adult stock for later use. It features a 24-inch barrel and weighs 6.2 pounds.

• Remington has a youth version Model 11-87 Compact with the Adjustable Length of Pull System that can be tailored to fit a growing shooter. It is a 20 gauge with a 21-inch barrel and weighs 6½ pounds.

• Beretta’s 20-gauge youth version of the AL391 Urika features a gas system, a 13½-inch length of pull, 24-inch barrel and weighs 5.8 pounds.

• Benelli offers a youth version of the 20-gauge Montefeltro Short Stock. It features a 12½-inch length of pull, 2 1/8-inch drop at the heel, 24-inch barrel and weighs 5.3 pounds.

• The 20-gauge Franchi Model 720 Upland Short Stock has a 12½-inch length of pull, 2 1/8-inch drop at heel, 24-inch barrel and weighs 5.8 pounds.