From this question I probably show how little I know about guns. Was given a 12 ga remington express would like to make it a 20 ga for my son would just changing the barrel do this Thanks Joe

 

no if your reffering to an 870 pump the gun is made to hold and cycle 12 guage shells would just give it to him as a 12 guage.

 

How old is he. Myself and my son have been shooting a 12 since 9 years old. Neither of us were big kids either.

 

Thanks for the replay , my son is 12 years old, and your probably right he probably can handle a 12 ga, have you heard anything about the remingtons spr 100 single shot 20 ga has the remington name on it but is made in russia not the good old U.S.A thought of picking one up for my 10 year old daughter as a frist gun, price is not bad about $90.00 u.s dollor not (rubles)

 

jam3700,

Choose the right ammunition for the game of the day. If you are hunting, by all means use appropriate hunting ammunition. If clay targets are on the agenda, do not use hunting ammo or promotional, bargain ammo. Spend a little more for low recoil target ammo. Your son and daughter will shoot better, shoot more targets and enjoy themselves.

This might be an opportunity to explore reloading. Visit the reloading forum at www.shotgunworld.com 12 ga hunting ammo can carry a shot load of 1 1/4 oz to 2 oz of lead. Recoil is significant. Standard clay target loads carry a 1 1/8th oz payload. Currently I am reloading shells with only 3/4 oz of shot in 12 ga. These are terrific skeet loads and very easy on the shoulder. Great for kids, even better for old farts.

In short, I encourage you to do everything you can to make the sport enjoyable for your children. Nobody likes getting beat up by ill fitting guns and hard kicking ammo. Start them early. Teach tem well. Shooting is a lifetime sport!

 

I can't say I've dealt with that gun but if you're considering buying one for your girl you could consider a youth 410. They've got a shorter stock and not a ton of punch at around the same price as the 12 you're looking at.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotg...dnerYouth.aspx