I'm looking to get my son a 20 gauge youth model ,preferably pump. If I can find one I'd get an 870 but what's out there for other options that wont break the bank?

Mossberg 510 bantam. Comes with some spacers for the stock to make it a little longer as he grows.

The Mossberg seems like maybe the best bang for your buck. It comes with the spacers, plus the slug barrel. My sons buddy has one, and I like the feel of it. I've specifically avoided Mossbergs because they never felt comfortable to me, but I like the little Bantam.
Tri Star also makes a few that are nice yet affordable.

Thanks Jerry, do those have the thumb safety?

the Mossberg 500 is a good gun if you can't find the Remington.

I like them both. I favor the 500 more than the Rem but own both

part of why I like the 500 is if you run into a lefty or left eye dominant shooter the safety is on top very ambidextrous.

if he is particularly small the Mossberg 500 Bantam comes with an even shorter stock that has spacers to add as he grows.

the Mossberg are reasonably priced before the current mess of gun unavailability 250 would buy you a Mossberg

Yes.

An 870 Express Youth model,even with 7/8 oz light loads,is a butt kicker for a small kid. My boys had 1 and even I didn't enjoy shooting it.

The recoil never bothered my boy...

870 youth express - 20ga just a regular old full choke and some 3" high brass #6's...



Some #3 buck and some more #6's and 4's make it pretty vesatile. He shot all these things that day, coyote included!...


Add a slug barrel and some slugs...



I'm sure a Mossberg 500 youth would do the same. We just liked the fit and the safety on the Remington better.

Both of my boys shoot an 870 youth model very well is still a little bit big for the eight-year-old but the recoil doesn't bother him. Mossberg will fit smaller Shooters better since its adjustable. I have a 20 gauge H&R call Unlimited youth model that was my 8 year olds really like he shot his first job with a wing this year

bought my boy a winchester pump when he was 8 so id say that was 2000 as born in 92... he shot the livin chit outa that gun.... this thread brings back good memories..... we were on some good pass shooting on a cornfield on white geese was windy..... when the shoot was over he had yellow empties scattered all over looked like a war..... man that was good times.... im sure hes still got it.... not sure of model wood stock youth model

If you're looking for this year, you may just have to take what you can find. There are almost zero in stock at any of the suppliers. I went to order one yesterday and was behind the counter with my buddy who's family owns the shop. Supplier after supplier had nothing in stock. Just so happened that another employee had talked to a supplier earlier in the day that had mentioned they had ONE in stock so we called them and they still had it. It was semi auto, but it was that or nothing.

Stoeger Condor. over and under..

Mossberg or Remington both are nice

My kids have a Mossberg and have killed a handfull of turkeys and thousands of clays from the 16 yard line. Works great, I'd hate to say how many rounds its shot.

The pump release is easier on a 500 also for a lefty, because its behind the trigger guard verses in the front.

that is why I keep a loaner M500c 20ga for 4-H kids who need to borrow a gun.

it is very ambidextrous.

i get right and left and cross eye dominate kids one tool works for many

I carry a youth model stoeger condor 20 over and under. It shoulders fast for me but its a great shooter.
Its actually my son's but he's in college and hey its just sitting here so I'm making sure it gets a good field testing while he's away. Neat gun and fun to shoot. I grew up with side by sides but this over under I could get used to too.
Jim

Mossberg.

My sons first was a Winchester 20 youth pump. His son shot the same and then got an 1100 LT 20 with a youth stock that he shoots clays with. He is now 12 and scores over 50%.