My 7th grade daughter just joined a shooting team and I need to get her an o/u 12 gauge. I really don't know what most of the kids are shooting. I don't want to go crazy but don't mind spending if I can get something with decent resale or that will grow with her and last her a lifetime.

What do you guys recommend?

12 gauge? You serious Clark?

I have shot a Stoeger 20ga O/U, and it was exactly what you would expect at that price point. Reliable, functional, doesn't mind some abuse. Won't hurt when they outgrow it.

Don't arbitrarily listen to those saying 20ga. You know your daughter, if she can handle a 12ga, get her a 12ga. Rough idea on budget? First thought would be https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-sctp-sterling/

She has no trouble with a 20ga. I have a youth 870 in 20. I don't think a 12 will be a problem and I think she'd outgrow a 20 pretty quick.

I don't really want to spend more than 2k. Less would be preferred. But, if a couple hundred more made a big step up I could do that.

Does one really outgrow a 20 gauge? Honest question.

I've shot an old 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge since high school. I'm 52 now. Seriously considering bumping down to a 20.

No. But, talking with the people at the expo day, they said almost all the kids we shooting 12's. There was a 10 year old boy there, about half the size of my daughter, who isn't big, and he shot a 12 just fine. I just think it's the better suited tool for the job.

I bought an Academy Yildiz Semi Auto for my kiddo as his first bird/skeet gun to save money and regret it. Shells catch constantly no matter how many fixes I have tried to put into the thing. The action release takes finger breaking pressure to cycle. We both have been cursing the thing and I definitely got what I paid for.

You asked about an over under and I am would guess the issues are not as big for that style of gun whether it be Stoeger or other cut rate brands. In my case though I wish I would have paid up a bit more for a reliable gun.

My kids shot 4-h trap and skeet and we went through several shotguns. 12 and 20 recoil is almost the same and 12 is most common for that. One of my kids used a Browning Citori Micro that was perfect for him. My other kid loved his CZ Redhead that was cut down to fit.

there are a few posters on here that are coaches. one in particular has a few youth model competition grade guns passive for sale. if you shoot me a text, i'll shoot over their number. i dont remember their username on here and i don't want to give the number outright without their permission.

one way or another, they will have great advice.

seven 04- two 93 - five351

If she is shooting 4H, I'd go with a 12ga. I have yet to see a single kid shooting 20ga at a competition and we go to 10+ per year. A Browning CXS Micro would be a great choice or if you can find a used Citori Micro Midas. Also, find out the coach's info on the team she's on and have the coach shoot out a message. You may find one that someone has outgrown and is looking to sell. A poster on here who bought a gun from me had a great little 12ga o/u he tried to trade me from his kid's Shooting team. Maybe if he sees this he still has it.

I'd definitely get something that fits now and then flip to a bigger gun down the road. Also, fwiw, most of the kids on cour team shoot Semi-Auto. There's really no "need" for a O/U. My older son is a H.S. Junior and just started shooting an O/U recently just because he preferred the Semi. My 14yo still shoots a Semi as well even though he has a O/U in the safe when he's ready. That said, one of the best shooters on our team was an 8th grade girl last year and she shot a Fabarms Syren 12ga O/U no problem

OP, just curious, what team is she shooting for?

It's the Katy Dusters.

You can control kick with light loads and a good fit. For smaller kids, you have to watch the weight. A 12 gauge o/u is a half lb heavier than A Comparable 20 gauge. The longer barrel makes a huge difference too on weight com. Weaker kids will lean back resulting in a poor mount (heavy kick) and poor form (inconsistent swing). Most 7th graders can handle a 12 gauge 28" or 30" barrel. Just make sure she does her gun lifts in the mirror and keep a good posture. I had some o/u 's still for sell from when my kids were younger. Give me a dm and I'll send u my list. Also still have my adult beretta 690 black for sell so you can shoot with her!

Man. He's asking for a 12ga. Why does everyone here think they need to steer him to a 20ga? A good 12ga, with the proper loads and balance can produce LESS felt recoil than certain 20gauges.

With your budget you shouldn't have any issues finding her a great gun. Depending on where you're located, you may consider spending $1500-1700 on the gun, and the rest of the budget taking it to a Briley (or similar) and having it fitted to her.

Great advice. My O/Us have adjustable combs and recoil reducers with adjustable pads and adjustable LOP. It cost about $750 and included fitting so not cheap, but, is money well spent. Once you shoot a gun with an adjustable comb, you won't want to go back

We saw the Dusters at the SA Stock Show shoot this year. We shoot with Canyon Youth Shooting Sports. You guys will have a great time, it's been really fun for us

Ok, at your budget, you need to let her go shoulder both Citoris and Silver Pigeons. See which she likes better. Let me order you the gun that she wants as I do pretty much all youth shooting stuff at a hair above cost, I know how much this **** is going to cost you, then as MT said, head to briley to get it fully fitted for her.

mt3950 said:

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Man. He's asking for a 12ga. Why does everyone here think they need to steer him to a 20ga?

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I don't see anyone trying to steer him to a 20, unless I missed something? Quite the opposite, everyone seems to be recommending he get a 12. Definitely seems like 12 is the right choice.

The first response asks if he is serious, but makes no further attempt to talk him out of it. Then, I replied with a recommendation of a budget gun I've shot (which just happens to be a 20), but I made a wrong assumption on OP's budget.

Sounds like the consensus is the OP is on the right track, and some great recommendations have been made (aside from my crappy one).

Looks to me like only one person was pushing 20ga, and I think that might have been lack of understanding of intent. It's all good. I still go back and forth between the two as my mood suits me.

And no problem with the budget recommendation. I kind of started without listing a budget thinking that might widen the responses a little. I'm new to this so kind of don't know the right questions to ask.

Looks like the Browning and Beretta are both well regarded, plus the CZ option, and in the range of what I'm looking for. And there are a couple good options listed here that I will pursue in the next few days. If I go new, I will stop by and see EyeGuy. Thanks!

You should try a 28! No recoil as compared to 12/20 and the outer diameter of the shot pattern is only 3 inches less than a 12 (or so my shooting instructor told me years ago).