I think a single shot break open gun would be perfect for just starting out shooting "pasture clays" -- a bunch of straight aways at first. Then start moving her side to side until you get to full crossing targets.

If you get her hooked to full-on clays in a couple of years, I'd seriously think about a 20 gauge semi-auto. But that is a far way off from now...

 

I wouldn't worry at all about choke tubes at this point, get her a simple gun with a modified choke and she will be good to go. I was shooting some trap the other day with my Weatherby SA 28 gauge with modified choke and the gun did fine, the shooter so-so

 

She will have a ball with it!!! And you will have fun loading all those shells for her. Let us know how she does with it.

 

Forget the 28ga and get a 20ga youth single.( 20ga shells are much cheaper) You can load lite 3/4oz rounds and she can grow with the gun. Those guns are lite but are not bad with lite loads.
I have one in 410bore and 20ga. My wife shoots the 20ga.

All the basic gun safety can be learned from these guns

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/topper.asp

 

28ga SA would be my choice. Great gun that would last over a life time with a stock change as she grow up.
The only problem would be the price of shells. You need to reload then to make it a better choice over a 20ga.

 

Whatever single shot you buy, please do load very light loads for it. Nothing kicks more and discourages kids more than the recoil from one of those guns.

 

I was wondering how many post till somebody started on recoil {F* A child that can't handle the recoil of a 28 ga single probably shoundn't be outside if they are that frail . People don't tend to say something unless it bothers them so if you are that recoil sensitive maybe you need to find another ..-. ..- .-.- -.- .. -. --. hobby
H&R used to make a single 28 ga with a 22in barrel the dropped it when remington bought them . they still show it as a extra barrel option so if you have a single shot H&R you might send it to be fitted with a 28 ga barrel MidWAY sells choate synthedic youth stocks and fore arms so it could be put back to the original configuration later
Roy

 

I was wondering how many post till somebody started on recoil {F* A child that can't handle the recoil of a 28 ga single probably shoundn't be outside if they are that frail . People don't tend to say something unless it bothers them so if you are that recoil sensitive maybe you need to find another ..-. ..- .-.- -.- .. -. --. hobby
H&R used to make a single 28 ga with a 22in barrel the dropped it when remington bought them . they still show it as a extra barrel option so if you have a single shot H&R you might send it to be fitted with a 28 ga barrel MidWAY sells choate synthedic youth stocks and fore arms so it could be put back to the original configuration later
Roy

Roy, a 5# 28ga single shot with it's excess drop will kick. It may not recoil much for a fat plumber, but it will kick a nine year old girl. To add a youth stock, most of which are way too short and it will kick even more. Buying (if available) and fitting a bbl for a $125 gun would not be cost effective, so few would go that route. Besides, a 22" bbl in a single is not the safest gun for a kid, so for that reason alone I would not recommend one. To suggest that a kid "probably shouldn't go outside if they are that frail" is one of the dumber comments written here in a long time. Maybe I should find another hobby, but not due to recoil. I find an increasing number of experts giving really poor advice and are unwilling to learn anything because they think they already know it all. That becomes tiresome. After shooting for over 54 years, I think I understand recoil and what or what not to start kids off with. I have probably helped 100+ kids get started shooting over the years and would never suggest a single shot if asked. Most of those cheap singles I see are light 20ga guns that quickly discourage youngsters because of the recoil. A 28 would be better, but in the wrong gun can still punish a little kid. Most kids would be best served with a properly fit 20ga LW 1100 with reduced recoil loads or slower 3/4oz reloads. Coach, you can do what you like with your own kid, but if you don't know what you're talking about (and you don't), perhaps you should avoid recommendations to others.

 

Go with a 20, imho. Whatever make/model is up.to.you. but definitely 20.

 

The first gun I ever shot was a singeshot .410 or 20. That thing kicked the snot out of me. There is no way I'd inflict thaton someone else.

 

I was wondering how many post till somebody started on recoil {F* A child that can't handle the recoil of a 28 ga single probably shoundn't be outside if they are that frail . People don't tend to say something unless it bothers them so if you are that recoil sensitive maybe you need to find another ..-. ..- .-.- -.- .. -. --. hobby
H&R used to make a single 28 ga with a 22in barrel the dropped it when remington bought them . they still show it as a extra barrel option so if you have a single shot H&R you might send it to be fitted with a 28 ga barrel MidWAY sells choate synthedic youth stocks and fore arms so it could be put back to the original configuration later
Roy

Roy, a 5# 28ga single shot with it's excess drop will kick. It may not recoil much for a fat plumber, but it will kick a nine year old girl. To add a youth stock, most of which are way too short and it will kick even more. Buying (if available) and fitting a bbl for a $125 gun would not be cost effective, so few would go that route. Besides, a 22" bbl in a single is not the safest gun for a kid, so for that reason alone I would not recommend one. To suggest that a kid "probably shouldn't go outside if they are that frail" is one of the dumber comments written here in a long time. Maybe I should find another hobby, but not due to recoil. I find an increasing number of experts giving really poor advice and are unwilling to learn anything because they think they already know it all. That becomes tiresome. After shooting for over 54 years, I think I understand recoil and what or what not to start kids off with. I have probably helped 100+ kids get started shooting over the years and would never suggest a single shot if asked. Most of those cheap singles I see are light 20ga guns that quickly discourage youngsters because of the recoil. A 28 would be better, but in the wrong gun can still punish a little kid. Most kids would be best served with a properly fit 20ga LW 1100 with reduced recoil loads or slower 3/4oz reloads. Coach, you can do what you like with your own kid, but if you don't know what you're talking about (and you don't), perhaps you should avoid recommendations to others.

First off the only time recoil is a big problem is if the gun doesnt fit most of the time to long when we are talking children I can cut one down and put a slip on recoil pad on one in 10 minutes if the kids likes shooting I fit a buttplate to and give it to them . I done that 25-30 times
As far as fitting a barrel to a $125 gun the current scare of restricting firearms has made decent used single go for that . Sending in a gun you have (80% of the gun people I know have one setting around)to fit a barrel that will sell for almost new prices on ebay or the classified on graybeards is still less expensive and makes more sense than cutting down a classic shotgun
I might be a fat old plumber now but back many years ago I was a scrawny hillbilly kid, at 12 years old I shot every shell I got my hands on out of dads 16 savage single or any other gun they would let me shoot all my friends, brothers and sisters did the same I have seen my son when he was 12 shoot a box af 12 ga shells at starling and ask for more . Unless kids from W.V. are just a whole bunch tougher than kids else where you under estimating what kids can handle
Roy
P.S. the new H&R's are all built on the same reciever so the small gauges weigh more than the 12ga's

 

I instruct a lot of young kids that are learning to shoot shotguns. The only real downside to the H&R/NEF single shot guns is the external hammer. It is hard for young hands to cock the gun themselves. Baikal makes a single shot that is self cocking on opening. It comes in a youth gun in 20 gauge and 410. http://eaacorp.com/portfolio-item/baika ... un-baikal/ Make sure the gun fits, shoot light reloads, and let them stop when they say they have had enough. I have a 410 NEF gun that I have cut down to 12" LOP with a Limbsaver recoil pad. My youngest shooters start with this gun, shooting at stationary targets, and have fun. I cock the gun for them. They then move up to a Mossberg Super Bantam, or a Remington 1100 youth model, in 20 gauge. Mark

 

I instruct a lot of young kids that are learning to shoot shotguns. The only real downside to the H&R/NEF single shot guns is the external hammer. It is hard for young hands to cock the gun themselves. Baikal makes a single shot that is self cocking on opening. It comes in a youth gun in 20 gauge and 410. http://eaacorp.com/portfolio-item/baika ... un-baikal/ Make sure the gun fits, shoot light reloads, and let them stop when they say they have had enough. I have a 410 NEF gun that I have cut down to 12" LOP with a Limbsaver recoil pad. My youngest shooters start with this gun, shooting at stationary targets, and have fun. They then move up to a Mossberg Super Bantam, or a Remington 1100 youth model, in 20 gauge. Mark

That I can see, smaller kids not having the strength in their hand or to small of hands. My daughter loved shooting short m-44 mosin nagants at 12-13 she liked the fire ball out the end of the barrel, she shot my mausers and enfields at that age too
Roy

 

I started my daughter out on a Bantam. Learned my lesson about recoil and started my son on a youth semi in 20 gauge. Put a long plug in it that made it a single shot until he was older. If I ever teach another child it will be with a semi.

 

I started my daughter out on a Bantam. Learned my lesson about recoil and started my son on a youth semi in 20 gauge. Put a long plug in it til he was older. If I ever teach another child it will be with a semi.

If you don't reload for 20 gauge, the factory 7/8 oz loads can pop them pretty good. I can reload a 20 gauge shell with 3/4 oz of shot and a low velocity that isn't a problem with a pump, because it doesn't have to cycle the semi-auto. It's like shooting a light recoil 28 gauge, without having to buy a 28 gauge gun. Mark

 

That would work for me but I don't hand load for shotgun, only cartridges.

 

Go with an auto loading 28 gauge.It will make a great shotgun for both of you.

 

I started my daughter out with a 20 shooting 7/8's and #9 shot at 10. She is now 12 and is shooting 12 ga.

 

I have watched many, many kids start at our range...some that come out with their Dad and others that participate in the SCTP. I can't stand to see those kids shooting the short barreled 870 youth pumps with a standard 7/8 target load. Some kids are tougher than a pine knot and will stick with a poor fitting, too light gun but many will not. Recoil is real and we don't need to do our kids a disservice by ignoring it. I started my son off at ten years of age shooting a 20 gauge auto loader with 3/4 ounce shells I reloaded for him. He is 12 now and shoots a 12 gauge Autoloader with a reduced length stock and an adjustable comb. He shoots 7/8 ounce loads that I load for him and it is FUN for him. Hopefully I have a shooting partner for the rest of my days because I wasn't worried about how tough I could "teach" him to be, but by being concerned with a gun that fits and providing shells that reduced recoil.

I wish you all the best in growing your daughter as your shooting partner and my vote would be for either a 20 or 28 gauge autoloader and don't forget to use that reloader to her advantage! Start slow and work up over time in the number of shells she shoots at a session. I have seen several Dad's who put their ego first and the experience of their kid second...never be that guy and look forward to spending time with your girl!

Chris

 

I instruct a lot of young kids that are learning to shoot shotguns. The only real downside to the H&R/NEF single shot guns is the external hammer. It is hard for young hands to cock the gun themselves. Baikal makes a single shot that is self cocking on opening. It comes in a youth gun in 20 gauge and 410. http://eaacorp.com/portfolio-item/baika ... un-baikal/ Make sure the gun fits, shoot light reloads, and let them stop when they say they have had enough. I have a 410 NEF gun that I have cut down to 12" LOP with a Limbsaver recoil pad. My youngest shooters start with this gun, shooting at stationary targets, and have fun. They then move up to a Mossberg Super Bantam, or a Remington 1100 youth model, in 20 gauge. Mark

You hit the nail on the head with the comment about the hammer, the reason I bought her a Henry .22 is just that -- she had a devil of a time pulling back the hammer on another old .22 youth gun I inherited from my father.

I've considered an auto, but they are even harder to load than a pump. O/U doesn't give any advantage for a young shooter, just adds weight. Single shot break open self-cocking is the only way to go, in my humble opinion, if I can't find one then I'll just either keep looking or wait. After all, she is my little princess.

 

Ya'll have been great, lot of info and I appreciate it. Does my heart good to see so many guys who care about stuff like this. Also happy to see that not one single comment was along the lines of "you're crazy to start off a nine year old girl with a shotgun." In my opinion, we need to keep our boys tough, and we need to keep our little princesses even tougher.

 

Superb article/thread. thanks. Gave me insights in what to get petite wife. We are both retired and like to shoot. I hunt grouse as much as possible and she likes to come with. She won't shoot my semi (12) but will shoot a small H&R topper 20. after 5 or so she'll quit. We've looks at all possibilities, I like Rem and find that the 870 would be a bit much for her. The same make semi in 20 is a mite heavy so its out. Found a Turkish made model that fits her like a glove and are thinking about maybe purchasing it. Wby makes a light semi too. All foreign stuff.
Again, great thread. Great forum
Joe

 

It is a shame they don'y make more decent single shots H&R and rossi are the only ones you can find CZ listed 1 for 1 year the russian guns come and go and stoeger doesn't sell here anymore . As long as the length is right these guns aren't as brutal as some would have you think. to long and they smack you in the cheek bone and that does hurt . Nothing a miter saw won't fix .
There is something special about roaming the fall woods with a light gauge singleshot in places where you may find grouse, quail, Rabbit, or squirrel. It takes you back to simpler time .
Roy

 

I picked up an NEF PARDNER 28 GAUGE and an NEF PARDNER .410 for my sons when they were young. This after the 20 gauge single shots and Rem 870 youth didn't work out. The 28 gauge was the magic gun for them... the full choke .410 not so much. The 28 has a recoil pad, modified choke, and is well balanced. Standard Win AA shells and similar reloads of them were fine.

My buddy has the older H&R incarnation of the gun. We both feel that those guns will be our "old man" guns for hunting... light, adequate for upland birds, and despite their youth size we can hit well with them. I'll never sell mine!

BTW, I knocked out a replacement butt stock for the 20 gauge single with a shorter LOP and a higher comb in an effort to make the gun fit the boys better. It did fit better but it was still too much gun for them when they were little kids (they can handle my full size guns now).

John
NRA Benefactor

 

It really is difficult to find a 28 gauge youth model, or one that is affordable as a beginner gun. Still, I'll keep my eye out for one, nothing says we have to do it at any certain time, she's perfectly happy with the .22 for now.

If I wait a year, I may go for the 20 gauge since there are many, many more options in that gauge, plus we are set up for 20 gauge reloading already, wouldn't have to convert anything.

But, thanks for all the tips, they are all appreciated.