I started with a family hand-me-down H&R single hammer gun, stock cut back to about 12 1/2" for an 8 yr. old. Did ok, though my family let the little guys shoot the "gimmes" ducks over decoys and flushing birds over the dogs. Being REALLY small in stature, Dad bought me a 311 Stevens s/s .410 for my 12th birthday---best growth tonic ever invented, I switched to his Mercury 12 s/s a year later.
I just bought 2 LT 20ga. Remington 1100's for my grandkids. The grandkids are spaced 4 years apart, ages 1-12 and, assuming they all like to shoot, I've supplied them with guns for the next 20 years! One has a youth model 13" stock and I've put a full length plug in the magazine to assure single shot. The other is left with it's original wood stock, about 14". My thought is why burden a child with a marginal gun when you can let them shoot a slightly heavier gun that patterns well and has little recoil if you shoot 3/4 and 7/8 oz. loads? My eldest grandchild is enjoying 5 stand though I don't see Madeline into the "blood sports". The next, an 8 yr. old, gets her first shooting lesson next week when she is visiting from California----that one I expect to be a hunter.
ps. I've still got the 311, am stunned every time I see what they are going for these days!
Steve
