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Why not contact a Fausti distributor and see what kind of deal you can get on 3 of their 20 ga over/unders? I used one of their 20 gauges for many years and found it to be a very reliable gun. My 20 is gone but I still have one in 28ga.
Jim

Why not contact a Fausti distributor and see what kind of deal you can get on 3 of their 20 ga over/unders? I used one of their 20 gauges for many years and found it to be a very reliable gun. My 20 is gone but I still have one in 28ga.
Jim

I picked up an SKB/Ithaca last spring for a friend's son. 500 model in 20 gauge. Great gun for the money.

You have good taste- I am with you on the 4 LC Smiths (all 12 gauge- 3 are pre-1913 ejector guns), one 12 gauge Parker, and a 20 gauge A H Fox (Savage Utica Sterlingworth)--No Stevens or Springfield double guns, no Over-Unders either. The rest are all pre-WW2 Model 12's- Love them all, but my favorites are the Smiths and the Model 12's- one man's filet mignon is another man's ground chuck, I guess- that's what makes shooting and owning good shotguns such an all-encompassing event, IMO. I am assuming this father wants side-by-side guns for his lads- and not over-unders?? Good choice indeed.

The Shotgun writer for Field & Stream recommends a gas-operated 20 gauge with a Youth stock, and I sure that he has his reasons for that. But I applaud starting the lads with break-action shotguns, in 20 gauge (NOT the .410 crippler)Gun safety is a human habit, but a break action shotgun , with the breech open, even with shells in the chambers, cannot be fired accidently, and that fact alone makes the choice of double guns for the lads a wise choice indeed.

Thank you guys very much for your input. We are going shopping at Cabela's on New Years Eve day. They have all the CZ's. The double trigger model only comes in a straight stock. We were thinking a pistol grip stock but that gun only comes with a single trigger. Any thoughts on straight stocks vs pistol grips? I am willing to
shop for used guns or pretty much do anything to make this work.
I see that the CZ's are made by Hugulu (however you spell it).
A company called De Hahn imported those guns in many different iterations are they still in business? The kids have in the last few weeks all hefted and swung Aldo Leopold's 20 gauge Fox XE, one told me that a gun like that would be fine for her. I told her me too.

And, me too! Good luck with the shopping, SWAMPMAN. FWIW, it is spelled Huglu, and pronounced Hoo-loo. The "g" is silent.

All my best, SRH

If you can let the kids try the guns they might find one type of grip just feels better to them than the others. It is somewhat subjective after all.

I wouldn't let the single trigger put me off. The kids might find them easier to use. The pistol grip might give them a better hold on the gun. Straight grips require the wrist to be rotated forward more to fully grip. Smaller hands might find that unstable and uncomfortable. Supposedly the straight grip is better for sliding the hand back for the rear trigger. KY Jon has it right, the young'uns probably haven't developed an ingrained preference yet and should have an open mind about it.

Have fun and good luck in your quest!

Thank you folks very much for your help. I am glad I signed up. I will let you know how the adventure unfolds.

The journey continues to find shotguns for the kids. We went to our local Gander Mountain store and there tried on CZ's. The kids liked the pistol grip 20 gauge Ringneck as far as fit. However that comes only in single trigger. The CZ Bobwhite is a straight stock and has double triggers. After some research and handling guns belonging to myself and others. They have decided on pistol grip,drop at the heel of about 2 1/2 and about 1 1/2 at the comb. Two 20 gauges and one 12. So we have gone to the used market. The oldest boy liked the feel and fit of the Charles Daly Miroku, and Charles Daly Beretta. We found a beautiful Miroku made gun in Florida, well within budget. It is on the way here. As soon as the weather gets above zero they will be coming out to my farm (maybe Saturday) and try some doubles we have or have borrowed and try to shoot some clay birds. One of the guns is a Ithaca SKB
20 gauge with a 13" length of pull, which is just about right for the young lady. As always any thoughts you folks have would be appreciated.