Franchi, SX4, Weatherby, Mossberg

[TimeOnTarget]

Same here, my son shoots for HS rodeo trap using the same gun. It cycles the light loads without a hitch. My other son shot a Benelli M2 field in the same discipline. Neither have had an issue.

I’ve heard of HS rodeo and HS trap but never HS rodeo trap.

Is it what I think it is?!?

 

[TimeOnTarget]

I’ve got an affinity compact. It’s been a great shotgun.

 

[Oregonboy]

I liked my affinity 3 12gauge so much that I bought another one in 20gauge. They're awesome guns.

 

[Yoteassasin]

I've been through this with 3 kids . I would not ever get an auto . Mater of fact the best purchase I ever made was a 8y b-day present to my oldest son of a maverick 88 20 ga youth model with the stock adders to grow with him . He barely out grew it at 12 and got a 12ga pump gun for his 12 birthday and gifted his well bloodied and non skunked 20ga to his youngest brother and seeing him teach him about where the controls were and taking him on his first range trap shoot made me the proudest pops I could be . That said my daughter shoots a legacy escort and it is a great gun with great controls and purs like a kitten . I'd say it's basically the equivalent to the sa-08

As a final word of wisdom the gun never maters . It the time with you and time In field .

 

[rocknry09]

Hello amigos, after hearing recommendations from all of you for shotguns for a 9 year old kid, I am currently looking at these guns in particular. Do any of you own a Franchi Affinity 3, Winchester SX4, Weatherby SA-08, or Mossberg SA-20? If so how do you like it? Does it reliably cycle light loads? I hate when a semi auto won't run cheap target ammo consistently. Thanks.

I know its not on the list but I recently picked up a Stoeger 3200 20ga. Would be perfect for someone starting out.

 

[Eastcoasthunter94]

I have an SX4 and really like it. It has never jammed or not fired for me yet. It’s my go to duck hunting gun. For under 1k I think it’s a steal

 

[isItFallYet]

Thanks everybody. I have done more research trying to decide on the right gun for my kid than I ever have when looking at a gun for myself.

What did you get?

 

[Mtncowboy]

What did you get?

I haven't bought anything yet. I have been doing a ton of researching and then I will try and take my son somewhere he can shoulder them. I would love for him to be able to shoot a couple of them before making the purchase. I really appreciate the comments from everyone here to help me decide.

 

[Yoteassasin]

You are way over thinking it . He will need a new gun in a few years anyways . Pull the trigger .. literally and get him out in the field

 

[rmarshall]

I'm a huge Franchi Affinity fan, I got one when they first came out, never a single issue, it replaced a SX2, I've also had a SX3, the SX2-4s are great guns, but heavier and dirty. But with that there is less recoil. The Franchi is my go to. The SX2 and SX3 are no longer in my possession but I do have 2 Affinities and most likely buying another one in a 20, my son has a 20 affinity. It does all come down to fit, the franchi compact is great for young shooters and then you just get an full size stock when needed.

 

[CobraChicken]

I have both sx4 and the weatherby. You'll find more cast adjustability with the weatherby. I use the sx4 waterfowling a lot. About every weekend and day I can take off to get out. So it's be put through the ringer here in wyo Temps. Just make sure you clean that sx4 religiously, it can run dirtier than most (gasser). Only issue I had is the trigger spring. Careful cleaning top of trigger group. Only a 15 dollar fix though if ya lose it.

I do prefer how the weatherby breaks down for cleaning though.

 

[masonbanta]

I have both the affinity and the sx4 as well as several others. The sx4 will be softer shooting being gas operated. They both perform flawlessly with several thousand rounds a year through them and all over the country. I shoot more benelli than anything so the franchi points better for me when I change up. You aren’t going to go wrong with either gun IMHO.

 

[dylaneh]

Hello amigos, after hearing recommendations from all of you for shotguns for a 9 year old kid, I am currently looking at these guns in particular. Do any of you own a Franchi Affinity 3, Winchester SX4, Weatherby SA-08, or Mossberg SA-20? If so how do you like it? Does it reliably cycle light loads? I hate when a semi auto won't run cheap target ammo consistently. Thanks.

I have the Franchii affinity in a 12 and 20 . I really love this gun and it cycles through anything i shoot. I would highly reccoomend it.

 

[Darryle]

Out of the ones you listed Franchi Affinity, made along side the Benelli in Italy, fit and finish will be better than the Mossberg, Winchester and probably the Weatherby.

Everything comes out of the front of the action for cleaning, the only time you would need to remove the buttstock would be to adjust cast and drop.

If I was buying today, I would again buy the Tristar Viper G2 Bronze and I would buy it in 28ga. Subgauge guns with tiny loads of TSS are a blast to shoot, nickel plated lead for everything else. 410s and 28ga limits even when the day started at -6º and never got above 0º. No issues with cycling in the cold weather either. I doubt I ever pick up my Affinity again except for maybe sporting clays.