Anyone can shoot an O/U or Veg-O-Matic. Ask those same guys to shoot a SxS with double triggers and they'll give you a look like you just kicked their dog! Granted, there are some shooters who do occasionally shoot the SxS in those specific events and shoot them well along with their O/U or VOM, but they are few and far between and primarily shoot a single trigger gun. Speaking for myself, I stopped shooting the O/U at least 10 years ago. Registered shooting wasn't fun anymore and I rather enjoyed shooting the SxSs much much more. A little practice and you can shoot the SxS as well as you could an O/U or VOM. It's the Indian, not the arrow.

I agree about the Indian, BUT, there is no doubt in my mind that the single sight plane, single trigger guns are quicker to become successful with for most everyone. And as much as I love SxS and that’s all I shoot, if it was my kid that was getting serious they would have the best o/u gun I could provide. Then if they wanted to follow me and the dogs into the uplands they would learn to operate double triggers and carry a SXS.

I applaud the organizations like PGCA and shooting facilities like the Rock that find a way to get a SxS to a youth. My own personal view is we must attract the youth every chance we get! I realize new members here aren’t youths, and we need the young successful adults that can afford a Parker, and that price level is increasing every year. But first we have to make them want a Parker or a AH Fox, LC, Lefever…. Rant over.

He is big for 12 years old and he has been shooting my SXS's for 2 years.
He loves the SXS and double triggers He has been shooting 20ga mostly but now can pretty much handle the 12ga, maybe keep him on 20's for a little longer though. After his first couple years with shorter LOP guns he now is good with 14 in LOP. You are very correct in the decision should be his.
I did get my first O/U recently A Kimber 20ga Valier so I will let him shoot that more soon. Thanks

As a general rule the kids in SCTP are extremely competitive. That is why they are in the program. Peer pressure becomes a strong motivator. A youngster sees a good shooter using a O\U and it becomes obvious to them that they have to emulate the successful to gain proficiency.

Your grandson now likes the sxs so let him start with one and see where his mental game takes him. At 12 he has quite a few years ahead in the program. No need to jump in with both feet. Take it slow and let it evolve.

My grandson shoots SxS or Semi Auto without any noticeable difference. He doesn’t like the one OU I own says it’s slow. That says something, few guns point better than a Parker or Beretta 391. The OU is slower on target.

Kids are very quick hand eye coordination sometimes too quick. Formal target sports even sporting clays highest scores made with precise eye pick up and gun insert points which favor heavy guns & smooth short movement. If the intent is serious competition that’s what the coaches will want.

Advantage to the auto or a pump for kids is the stocks can be easily adjusted as they grow. My full size Parker’s fit him now he’s 14 & 6’ tall, couple years ago could not connect with the too long Parker’s. At 12 he used a youth stock 870. Fortunately his interest is having fun and really enjoying SxS shooting.

William

We recommend youth not shoot pump guns for clays if they don't have to. They are very light and do have a tendency to beat up a shooter if they put a lot of rounds through them, especially in one day. At least the lightweight semi absorbs some of the recoil via the gas or inertia system. The recoil from a pump is especially hard on a small framed shooter.

Recoil is a issue for kids, I loaded his 870 20 very light with 3/4 oz at 1150 FPS. It was the only gun that could get short enough for him. As he grew and could handle a full length stock same loads in the 391 20 Auto that’s been weighted up to 7 1/2 lbs nearly recoil free. That gun is were he made his gains in skills.

He’s shooting Beretta’s A300 outlander 12 now & 6 feet tall 160 lbs. It cycles the same 7/8 oz 1150 fps loads as my Parker’s. They are moving to Houston soon lot of SCTP opportunities, have to check them out.

William