Do you have a budget and how big is the kid?

 

Budget is key. Ithaca 37s are nice. BT99s are great for singles trap. Stock fit is important, so is comb height. For 16 yard trap, most pump guns with a vent rib barrel, and modified, imp modified or full choke is fine. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get results

 

Standard size 12 year old.

Under $500 would be nice.

 

12 gauge or 20 gauge?

 

I bought my pals son a 20 gauge Stoeger Condor OU. Nice gun , cheap, weird safety. But hes 6 feet.
And my nephews daughter a Mossberg 500 youth,20 gauge, pump, 2 barrels , shes 5 feet, cheap and nice gun.
Both kids love them, they’re kids , dad is taking them to shoot is what counts, as for the gun, as long as its safe theyll shoot it better fhan you can.

 

Take a look at this model. Note the comb height on the stock, when you see a photo of it. Winchester SXP Trap Pump-Action Shotgun. https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...otguns/winchester-sxp-trap-matte-black-12-gauge-3in-pump-shotgun-30in/p/1477584

 

Winner. Get the kid a Bona Fide trap gun.

 

Honestly, I would not worry about a specific "trap" model. My suggestion (as a 17 year veteran gun shop owner): buy a 20gauge pump that fits their body - that is shoulders and points naturally. If they really catch on & love it: upgrade to a more permanent gun and keep the pump for a hunter... There are also, some excellent Benelli semi knock offs that are very attractively priced I would go for, especially if one is recoil sensitive.

 

He ended up using my Franchi gas operated 12 gauge for the season. Regionals was yesterday. He had a good time and that's what mattered most. I'm going to start looking for a good price on a single barrel trap gun he can grow into. Looks like he's going to stick with it.

 

I shot trap several years ago ,I shot an over under 12 Ga 28 inch barrel it was a Finish shotgun called a Velmet interchangeable barrels in both shotgun and rifle. to day I would only use a 12 in a semi auto for a youngster I'd opt for a 20 gauge as Toomany22s suggested Stoeger makes several shotguns if O/U is of interest I would look at Savage model 555 they make them in Different Guages, I have one in 410 that a hoot to shoot.

 

I would like to find a nice Valmet at the right price. He's about wore the Franchi out this fall shooting a couple nights a week. He's as tall as a lot of the High Schoolers, but lanky. I need to find him something with a bit more cheekpad so he doesn't keep getting slapped to death.

 

Yep Valmet or Savage, many early valmet were imported by Savage and some can still be found for a decent price
**** good shotgun built like a tank interchangeable bbls . I digress Get him a cheeck pad to raise the comb.

 

I ended up finding a deal on a Tristar top single. He handled it pretty good first time out.