391 20 gauge. Weight is around 6 lbs. THe gas operation helps a bit with recoil over the Benelli inertia system and the cost is less. My daughter is quite happy with hers. Well, actually, my daughter is quite happy with mine, which she thinks became hers after she shot it and liked it.
Dave

 

There are some very good Youth 20 gauge semi auto models that are well made and reliable. The below are light enough to be held easiely but, cycle lighter loads well to help reduce some recoil.

Gun fit makes the biggest impact of felt recoil. I don't think the opeeration type of a semi auto plays any part of recoil as long all other things are equal.

Beretta AL391 Youth: This model is very thin and pretty light in weight at around 5.9 lbs. They balance with more weight towards the stock. They are Gas operated, have 3" chambers, and cycle a wide range of shells. They have an automatic magazine cutoff and a bolt lock lever. They also come with shims to adjust the fit of the stock. They are more complicated to clean compared to other models. They do go long periods between cleanings if needed. Price wise they are around $800.00.

Beretta 3901 RL: This model is wider than the AL391. They weigh around 6.5 lbs. They balance with more weight towards the stock. They are Gas operated, have 3" chambers, and cycle a wide range of shells. They have an automatic magazine cutoff but, no bolt lock lever. They also come with shims to adjust the fit of the stock. They are pretty easy to clean and can go long periods between cleanings if needed. They hold a total of four rounds and can't take an extension to hold more. The safety button is at the back of the trigger guard. Price wise they are around $650.00.

Browning Gold SL Micro: This model is similar in size to the 3901. They weigh around 6.25 lbs and balances with more weight towards the stock. They are Gas operated, have 3" chambers, and cycle a wide range of shells. This model has the speed load feature. They have shims available to adjust the stock. They are very easy to clean and can go long periods between cleanings. They hold five rounds total and can take an extension to hold more. The safety button is at the back of the trigger guard. Price wise they are around $750.00 and Browning has a $100.00 rebate on Golds.

Franchi 720 Short Stock: This model is thinner like the AL391. It weighs about 5.8 lbs and balances with more weight towards the stock. They are Gas operated, have 3" chambers, and cycle a wide range of shells. This model has an automatic magazine cutoff. It's piston can be flipped around to allow more bleed of for heavier loads. They have shims to adjust the stock. They are one of the easier semi auto models to clean and can go long periods between cleanings. They hold five rounds total and can take an extension to hold more. The safety is at the back of the trigger guard. Price wise they are around $600.00

 

Quote from JED - I'm not interested in a 28 ga or 410 (shells too high) or any youth model

 

Thanks Conman I missed this part.

I'm not interested in a 28 ga or 410 (shells too high) or any youth model

You can get any of the above in a full length stock or add stock spacers to add length. This is for an 11 year old. The chance of a full length stock fitting is more than likely slim. Excessive recoil from a poor fit is a sure way to turn off a new shooter to shooting.

 

Thanks for the suggestions.....the reason I don't want a youth model is because I have plenty to borrow from friends and family. I also want my wife to give shooting a try.....she's expressed an interest. Also, I'm not sure she'll stay interested and I don't want a gun that's useless (other than a resale).

I just bought a 390 20 (walmart version) and it sure does feel a lot heavier than the M2 20. Or should I say the weight is distributed differently. I guess the gas operating system up front adds a little weight. My daughter has held the 390 20 and says it too heavy for her on the front end. She has a hard time keeping it level.

Hopefully, she'll shoot the M2 today....then I can tell if the gun fits. If no fit or recoil too heavy, I guess I'll have to eat my words and go to a 28 gauge (that Franchi semi-auto is very nice).

thanks, JED

 

You could always go with the two best 20 gauge upland models. 1st Franchi AL48 and 2nd Benelli Montefeltro.

 

You could always go with the two best 20 gauge upland models. 1st Franchi AL48 and 2nd Benelli Montefeltro.

Yeah. I could also get slapped down when I walked in the house with both guns, and the gun that I want for myself! LOL

 

Remington 1100 20 ga. L.W $410.00

Comes with four choke tubes. Full,Mod,lite modified and Imp cyl.26" bbl

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=81712021

 

I started both my girls with a Browning Gold Micro 20 gauge and 3/4-ounce loads (one still uses it). Even with 7/8-ounce loads they said recoil was not an issue with this gun. My oldest shot trap with it for a season and even managed to drop a Giant Canada Goose with the thing.

The Micro has a shorter length of pull than a standard Gold, but is longer than a youth model. I think it was designed with women in mind.

 

I lent my old Ithaca model 37 20 to a friend for his young son --12 years old. He's been shooting it for 3 years (he wants to buy it, but I told him to save his money and buy a gun he can call his own.)

He has an easy time with the gun and I would suggest this for any young hunter...they're not too expensive and will last until you don't use them anymore.

 

Yeah. I could also get slapped down when I walked in the house with both guns, and the gun that I want for myself!

I meant one or the other but, worded it like you should get both. Two is better than one though

 

thanks for all the suggestions....

 

Yeah. I could also get slapped down when I walked in the house with both guns, and the gun that I want for myself! LOL

Wuss... :wink:

 

Yeah. I could also get slapped down when I walked in the house with both guns, and the gun that I want for myself! LOL

Wuss... :wink:

LOL... Man, what a dilemma? M2 20 gauge or 12 gauge. What to buy? 20 would be good for kids and wife, but 12 would be good for me. Or, would a 20 also be good for me.

How many hunt dove with 20 gauge?

 

Holding that M2 20 gauge makes my knees weak! I got shoot one.....

 

I hunt dove with a 28 gauge. And since shells are so expensive I tend to not waste many shots.

A 20 is absolutely fine for dove and clays.

 

I second that on the 20 ga. Benelli Montefeltro, great light auto loader that handles like a dream. I think she would love it.
Don't forget if recoil is an issue and besides fit a good recoil pad like Pachmeyer will do wonders to tame that problem.
Good luck and good for you in trying to include your daughters and wife in the shooting sports :!:

 

I have a Rem 11-87 20 ga 26" that has been good for a lot of first-time female shooters, early to late teens. If I had it to do again, though, I'd look hard at the Gold Micro 20 just because of ease of cleaning. (The Micros were a new offering when I bought the 11-87 and I couldn't find one to handle.)