Youth Skeet Semi Auto Recs

Why not an over under, easier to use, multiple chokes I would get a sporting model that doesn't go on safe every time you open and close it.

but if dead set on semi auto I would get an Beretta A300 and never look back.

At that age and size, he will outgrow it quickly, try to borrow or buy used to get him by for a few years

At that age and size, whatever you buy is going to be very temporary. As you are likely aware, other than being able to clearly see the target, gun fit is THE most important factor for successful clay target shooting. Kids grow so fast that it is hard to keep them in a gun that fits properly. If his gun doesn't fit him, then he won't break very many targets and may get discouraged quickly.

My son is currently on a clay target shooting scholarship in college. His team shoots skeet, trap, and sporting clays (and so does he), but he is a skeet specialist. He started shooting in 8th grade. We knew very quickly that it was something he really loved doing and would stick with it. This is the progression of guns that we went through with him.

8th grade- 20-gauge youth model TriStar Raptor semi-auto. It was cheap and he outgrew it by the end of the season. If he didn't enjoy skeet shooting, I only had $300 invested in it.

9th-10th Grade- Browning Cynergy 12 Gauge O/U with an adjustable comb and butt plate. He got really serious about skeet shooting in 9th grade and branched out from SCTP/4H to start shooting NSSA tournaments, so we bought a set of Briley sub-gauge tubes to go in it. I highly recommend the Cynergy for a starter skeet gun because the mechanical trigger in it does not have to have any work done on it to use sub gauge tubes. The Citori 725's, on the other hand, have to have trigger work done, or you end up with a single shot .410 because the trigger won't reset between shots.

In 11th grade it was obvious that he was going to have a scholarship to college, so we went ahead and bought him a high end "competition" shotgun. It was expensive, but it will last him basically his whole life with proper care and maintenance. With the volume of shells he puts through it, it was a good investment that I would definitely make again.

For what it's worth, very, very few serious skeet shooters shoot a semi-auto. Even fewer serious trap shooters do. For him to start out, it would be fine though. I wouldn't spend $800 on something that he will quickly outgrow unless you have younger kids who may also need to use it in the future. Ask around at practice or check the board at your gun club. Another parent/member may have a gun that their child outgrew.

I have a barely used Benelli youth model Nova pump in 20 gauge. Would make a great deal!

My kid shot Beretta A300 20 ga that I picked up from PSA on sale for $699. Then I got him a cheap O/U to use when he grew a little more. Just bought him a nice O/U and wish I would have never bought the cheaper version. The cheap O/U didn't fit well and kicked like a mule compared to his new gun. My rec would be 20 Ga semi-auto and save your nickels for a nice O/U when they grow enough to handle it. I hear the Beretta 688 is the best O/U bang for your buck for later down the road.

I bought a youth model Franchi 20ga semi auto for my boys 3-4 yrs ago. Really sweet little gun. They been shooting ducks and doves with it. My 12 yr old loves it. My 14 yr old has moved up to my M2’s.