daughters first gun

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BrownDogsCan2

Well-known member
My daughter is about to turn 13. I am planning on putting her through hunter safety this summer and then seeing if I can get her out a little bit this fall.

My question is what would you start a young lady out with? I have a 20 gauge 390 that I have thought about finding a second stock for, either a youth or full size and having it cut. How hard do you think it would be to find?

The other thing I have thought about doing, and this might be overboard. Is sending the barrel to Briley and having it cut down. It's a 28" barrel. The logical place to cut it would be about 25". That is about where they would need to cut it to rebraise the rib without pulling it off. Or is there more to it than that? How would a chrome lined bore take to being cut?

This seemed ideal to me, a stock that fit her now. Could thicken the pad as needed until she grew into the fullsize stock. The barrel would be manageable and I would add an extended tube for dove hunting, pass shooting, when she needed help with the swing.

Am I being stupid? And should just start over? I started on a Stevens sxs 20. If I still had it I wouldn't be asking. Maybe I just answered my own question.

Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
In the current issue of Pheasants Forever Journal there is a little story about a teen girl hunter who is pictured with a shotgun that has a pink stock and forend. Not sure if your girl would like such a gun; just though I'd mention it.
 
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The 391 20 gauge had a 24" barrel available...good length regardless of shooter age....and a good option to consider.
 
Thank you OldDublin, the 390 was my wife's preference. It now sees little use, she now covets my 391 in twelve. Maybe more than I want to spend at this time. My thoughts were Weatherby 20 semi-, 1187 20(too much weight?) , or SxS.
Was thinking I could have the 390 reworked for about the price of the Weatherby, and not have to explain the new purchase.

BritChaser, I don't think she is there yet.......but a year ago hair and makeup were of no importance either.
 
I travelled this road. Big issue is dimensions of the gun, and LOP. My girls ended up with under six pound Ithaca flues doubles, regular LOP of 14" but because the reciever on a sxs is short and the diameter of the wrist and forearm is slender, it was the solution. You can shoot low velocity 2 1/2 inch shells to start as well. Be sure you get a gun scaled to 20 ga. to many 20's are just 12's with 20ga. barrels, dimensions and weight not petite enough for beginning girls.
 
BritChaser said:
In the current issue of Pheasants Forever Journal there is a little story about a teen girl hunter who is pictured with a shotgun that has a pink stock an forend. Not sure if your girl would like such a gun; just though I'd mention it.
Click to expand...

the remington 870 compact 20g is what i bought my son. it has a shim kit that extends the stock to an adult length and yes it comes in black or pink:thumbsup:. :cheers:
 
BrownDogsCan2 said:
Thank you OldDublin, the 390 was my wife's preference. It now sees little use, she now covets my 391 in twelve. Maybe more than I want to spend at this time. My thoughts were Weatherby 20 semi-, 1187 20(too much weight?) , or SxS.
Was thinking I could have the 390 reworked for about the price of the Weatherby, and not have to explain the new purchase.

BritChaser, I don't think she is there yet.......but a year ago hair and makeup were of no importance either.
Click to expand...

The SA-08 Weatherby in youth 20ga is a outstanding gun. You would not be disappointed. My wife has two 12ga SA-08's and they have been flawless
 
Thank you, All. That will give us a few a things to look at. Those little girls are hard enough to get out there, I just want to do everything I can to make sure she keeps coming back. My only child, Daddy's little girl, my one shot to Pass It On.
Thanks again!
 
I know my daughter would not care what type of gun it is as long as its Pink.:D
 
BrownDog, I like the idea of a gas auto for your daugther if you feel she can handle an auto safely. The main reason is reduced recoil. But I think you could find a good used auto for less than you would have to spend to re-stock and re-barrel your 390. How about this one?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=276675140
 
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