I am looking at getting him a 20 gauge pump for his first shotgun.
I don't want to spend a lot of money so I am looking at the Weatherby PA08 and the Remington 870 express.
Which one is the better gun in your opinion?

Thanks,
DMan

Try to find an older 870.

www.gunbroker.com is the place to look for one, the Expresses I have owned just didn't function that well. Hanging empty hulls in the ejection port was my biggest problem.

I agree stay away from the new Remingtons, you will be much happier with one of the older ones.

Spend a little extra and get a good quality used gun, 870 or a browning bps would both be great choices and can be had for $300 or less.

The Dude abides!!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=351008658

That wing master is a good one. The handling marks give the gun character

That 20 gauge wingmaster would be a great starter gun.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. He is very excited about getting his first shotgun.
I let him shoot my 12 last fall and he enjoyed it but it was just too much for him to handle.

This^^^^ make SURE it is a Wingmaster. Yes there are differences worth the extra $. Like others said Browning BPS is another life long quality tool!

why pump?

Just want to make sure he doesn't squeeze off more rounds than wanted.
Extra safety!

The 870 it was my first gun and I loved it!

I think you just can't go wrong with the Remington 870 good classic gun.

The 870 express was my first 20GA youth gun. Kicked like a mule. After I grew up a little I got a Winchester 1300 Featherweight. I would definitely recommend the latter. Besides, you can find them at a pawn shop for a couple hundred, cut off the stock and add a recoil at the proper LOP, and have a better, faster gun.

As far a pumps go, I've had an 870 and it was a good gun. I also own an Ithaca model 37, it is by far superior to the Remington, and can be found on Gun Broker for a relatively good price. Once a gain nothing wrong at all with the 870, but I think the Ithaca is better.

I grew up shooting pump guns, Model 12s and 870's but a far better choice for a youngster is a semi-auto 20 or even a single barrel 410. Recoil can set a small person back a long ways when they are starting out. Think about it, a little one shooting a pump 20 is about like asking a 200 pound man to shoot a 10 gauge. A 20 gauge pump on a kid's shoulder can be a problem. If you decide to go with a pump I suggest extra light loads. Good luck and have fun!

I got my first 20 for Christmas right after I turned 8, it is a mossberg pump youth model. Sure has been a great gun a killed many of quail,pheasant and my first turkey with it, not to mention many of dove.

Walter