So my youngest some 8, decided he no longer wants a semiautomatic scatter gun. I asked him why. His response was they don't work right. I smiled.

I bought him a used charles daily youth gun he wanted a few weeks back. It would not cycle. I looked it over and it was missing the gas piston, gas piston buffer and o ring. We took it back. Yesterday at his hunter Ed class he shot an 1100. It Also had cycling issues. So in his limited experience 100% have not functioned.

We have a youth single shot and 870 but those are his sisters he shoots. He likes over and unders but few are made in youth models and I want good quality that will last a lifetime of heavy use then get passed down. Cz makes one but on one has had them and I'm not sure how they will hold up. I love the safety factor of the high visibility of being broken open.

think your kid is cursed lol might look at some pumps

Kid has his head wired on straight !! O/U is the way to fly !

Same here. Beretta O/U is a beautiful smooth as silk gun. LOP can be adjusted .

I'm in the pump crowd. Something just so satisfying about racking that next shell in.

20ga 500C if you can get the combo with the rifled slug barrel

Winchester dual bond slugs 2 3/4 inch 260gr sabot 1800 fps only down side is they are expensive 2 dollars a round but I am getting 3 inch groups at 100 yards and do a very good job on deer.

not sure there is a strait wall aproved cartridge that can compete with the sabot slug , down side you can't reload for them

I liked my sons so much I bought one when I found the combo used for sale.

light and easy to carry , swings well upgrade to the extended choke tubes and you can get a beautiful pattern.

I like the way your son thinks.

Get him an Ithaca 37, it'll ruin him for life.

As an 8 year old.... the front end weight of an over and under can be bad unless he's a big kid. A lightweight pump like the Ithaca would be a good choice until he can find the right gun.

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

Pete

I'll stick up for the 1100. Swinging an 1100 over a dove field with 3 dram 1 1/8 oz 8s feels like a tradition, the way it oughta be. 20 gauges are even sweeter. They like to be taken apart, cleaned, and a super light coat of gun oil on the outside of magazine tube, gas ring, and o ring before being pressed into service. Make sure barrel is clean, ports are open.

I'd get him a Winchester Model 12.

Semi auto guns do require a little more maintenance than the others. I use a weatherby orion ssc for clays. I also have a berretta 390 that sees some time on the course and some field use. My boy started with a S&W 1000 20 ga. I wasn't sure it would fit him but he was able to handle it. Now he is much bigger and can handle any of them.

When I am hunting I prefer to take one of my SxS guns. It just feels right. If I am looking for some fun I will take one of the hammer guns with some black powder shells. If that isn't enough fun (or I don't want to hit anything) I will take out one of the muzzle loading shotguns.

Back to the topic. I wouldn't give up on the gas guns just yet. Recoil is going to be one of the biggest problems you will have with younger shooters. If the gun fits, a gas/inertia gun will kick less than the others.

I do like my 1950's Browning Lighting 20 ga in the grouse woods, but need an auto for ring-necks & water foul. Why only take two birds out of the flock when you can take three?

Ain't it the truth! And, it's available in a youth model.

Model 37 might be a good choice. Certainly better than being caught with an auto loader. How embarrassing !

Until all the pheasants decide to bust out at the same time and you miss with both barrels. Sometimes it's nice to have a good wife to back you up.

X2 ^^^^^^^^

Reason military and hunting guides use pumps. Have to have a major malfunction for it to get jammed. Some mention O/U those are for sissy's and snobby people. LOL

Give him a pump with a Turkey load and see what he says tomorrow morning. LOL

X3

I like SxS Shotguns myself but you can't go wrong with that Ithaca.