Part of the challenge of getting young people started in upland hunting is finding a shotgun they are able to safely carry for walks afield. Sawyer is 8 years old and 60 lbs soaking wet, and though he’s had some success with this shotgun from a rest, we can immediately see the challenges when the rest is removed. It’s a balancing act: if the gun is too light you risk excessive recoil, too heavy and young arms cannot effectively swing.
This Mossberg Bantam is listed at 5 lbs (though I suspect it’s a bit heavier). The length of pull is adjustable with included spacers.
We’ll keep testing other youth models since Sawyer is a willing participant. MSRP: $518
