Need the OB advice. Have 3 boys that will work their way through shooting so want to get a youth 20 that would work for doves as well as ducks (so, at least 3"). Looking for a youth model that will fit them for a while before they graduate to the 1100 20 I already have or ultimately a 12.

2 stipulations - oldest is left eye dominant so getting him to shoot left handed, but others will shoot right. Also, I'm a bit old school and want them to learn on something that's not an automatic.

This has led me to an O/U, but want to get the board's wisdom for a durable youth 20 that is a good investment for the next 10-15 years of use but will also inevitably get dropped and dinged in the field (probably a lot).

You didn't list your kids' ages so take this with a grain of salt but in my experience O/Us tend to be too heavy for kids. Gas semi auto guns are good for kids, especially with 3" shells.

Also, O/Us tend to have cast in the stock based on whether they are right or left handed guns, which presents a problem for a left handed shooter on a right handed O/U. It isn't insurmountable, but can complicate things. Semi-auto guns are generally sold with no cast or with shims that allow you to move the stock around a bit, which is nice thing for kids.

you will get lots of suggests about what model/gauge works best, budget is a concern, but my very 10yo who is avg. height/weight shoots a 28ga semi, its a Mossberg that I regret buying, should have bought the Beretta instead. I should also mention that my son is a left that shoots a right handed semi-auto. He won't get a left handed gun until his great uncle dies and hands down his collection of left handed Benellis.

Benelli Montefeltro 20 ga 3" Combo.

https://www.benelliusa.com/shotguns/montefeltro-combo-shotguns

As a lefty, I encourage you not to eliminate pumps or semi-autos because of the left handed child.

I don't own a left handed gun at all and don't have any issues whatsoever.

Thanks, 96. I was concerned that the ejection across the face would be a problem, if not just annoying. Might put a pump back on the list.

Oldest is 13. thinking he and the 11 yo would use this for the 3-6 years.

You can look at a Browning BPS or Ithaca pump for lefties as well. The bottom eject on those makes them cool and ambidextrous.

bigevent99 said:

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Thanks, 96. I was concerned that the ejection across the face would be a problem, if not just annoying. Might put a pump back on the list.

Oldest is 13. thinking he and the 11 yo would use this for the 3-6 years.

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My pleasure. At the very least, it won't be a hinderance and would give him something to look forward to when getting his own gun!

Browning BPS
Micro Midas
20 gauge accepts 3" shells

It appears Browning discontinued the youth models in 2016 but should be able to find new/used.

You will never regret buying this gun.

BPS Micro Midas

If you go the O/U route pay attention to if the stock has cast. My Citori, son 1's Benelli 828, and #2's silver pigeon are cast-off for right handed shooters. My semi-autos are all neutral.

Thanks all. EyeGuy talked me into getting over my oldman-ness and going semi with the Weatherby SA-08 in 20. Hoping you can't go wrong with Weatherby...

I am a left handed shooter. As a kid, I sometimes had trouble remembering which way was safe/fire with a safety on a trigger guard. A shotgun with a slide safety on top of the gun is easy for both left and right handed young shooters.