I am looking for advice on a shotgun for my son. He is 11 years old and wanting to start shooting skeet/sporting clays/trap. Anybody got any suggestions?

20 gauge Benelli M2

Buy something he can swap between youth and adult stocks on and grow into it and continue shooting it when he grows.

One that fits.

Benelli sells a Montefeltro that comes with a youth stock and an adult stock.

Check out SKB IS300 target youth.
They have a new RS300 that he can grow with.

Beretta 390 20ga cut to fit. My. Etter half has one with a 26" barrel and spacers in the stock.

Don't want to spend a bunch of money for a sport he may or may not stick with. Anybody got any ideas for an entry level youth shotgun?

My son is ten. I took one of my older 1100's (20ga) and put a youth stock on it. It's gas operated so recoil is about as good as it gets.

Not entry level : Benelli Super Sport
But you can take over if he doesn't follow thru

Little recoil. , smooth, light

Weatherby SA-08 20ga if you want inexpensive but good.

Problem is, you go cheap and get something that doesn't fit or has harsh recoil, I guarantee he will quit. A used youth gas gun is quite hard to find, and when you do find them, they are typically real close to new price. Buy a quality gun and if he doesn't stick with it, you can sell it and get most of your money back.

I understand what you're saying, but I will offer a different perspective...most kids can't tell the difference between a high quality piece and an entry-level gun. The refinements are going to be more appreciated by someone who is experienced. I would think either is sufficient for a middle-schooler getting into the sport.

Besides, what does he have to look forward in life if he's an 11 year-old with a Benelli Montefeltro?

This is what I would get, Yildiz youth 20 ga semi:

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/yildiz-a...3179+4294958154

Or a youth 20 ga O/U (I have one of the full size models and like it pretty well):
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/yildiz-y...3179+4294958154

Pretty good quality at a great price.

Patriot, I think we have to define "cheap"... I agree, my son wouldn't get a Montefeltro, as I don't have one! But most of the time that I talk to fathers who are looking for a shotgun for their child, they are looking for a reliable, soft shooting gas gun for about $300...

If the budget is around $600, the Weatherby can be had, and it gets good reviews. I bought my son a Beretta A300... but it is 12 ga., and he was a little older when we purchased it.

But a kid sure can tell the difference between a 20 ga youth model 1100 and a 20 ga single shot Rossi when he pulls the trigger and it slams into his shoulder.

This is where I was going with it... If you get a youth 1100 and he doesn't stick with it, sell it and get your money back. If you buy a Yildiz 20 gauge and he quits, you aren't going to recoup the cost of the gun.

Alright, we're all on the same page now.

Older Beretta AL-2's can be had for around $4-500 with some searching on the internet. They are good starter guns and very reliable. You can cut down the stock if its too long. Food for thought. 12 gauge loads can be had in 7/8 and 1 oz load, making it shoot like a 20 ga.