looking for a semi auto 20 gauge

[okieshooter777]

I know this isnt the buy sell section, but was looking for a budget, 20 gauge semi auto for my 13 year old son. He has really got into duck and dove hunting, and wanted to find a budget gun for his first. He really wants camo, and semi auto, and prefer 20 gauge, but a 12g isnt out of the question. what suggestions does everyone have and where is the best place to look.? I see palmetto has an escort for about $300 that seem like decent guns, but is there something better in that price range? My walmart has a couple daly merek for a decent price as well.. thoughts?

Oh and edit, he is a lefty... but a LH gun isnt a must.

 

[turkeyrun]

The Daly is a good gun for the price.

Remington 1100 is outstanding, if you can find one, probably going to be a few more dollars.

An 870 pump will allow you to get 3" shells, much more appropriate for ducks.
Mossberg is a very good choice, too.

The Winchester autos can be found at good prices

I started my son out at 9yo, with a 20 ga 3" 870.
His 4th son (13) is now using it.

 

[okieshooter777]

The Daly is a good gun for the price.

Remington 1100 is outstanding, if you can find one, probably going to be a few more dollars.

An 870 pump will allow you to get 3" shells, much more appropriate for ducks.
Mossberg is a very good choice, too.

The Winchester autos can be found at good prices

I started my son out at 9yo, with a 20 ga 3" 870.
His 4th son (13) is now using it.

Ill keep my eyes out before i buy a new one, the daly, and the escort also say they shoot 2-3/4 and 3".

 

[Parks 788]

Not a duck hunter but wouldn't it be a better choice to go with a 12ga? Would be more appropriate for turkey too. Is it possible to have him save up another couple hundred and then you pitch in the rest as a christmas gift to get him a nice preowned Rem 1100 or the like? True or not, I can't verify, but I've been told by several whom are much more knowledgeable than I am that it's wise to not go cheap on the semiauto shotguns as in its better to spend a bit more and get a mid grade shotgun. I'd look at a nice used Remington 11-87. Dependable and parts are easy to get and should be a ton of them around in the $650-$800 range. The Rem 1100s are going to be North of $1000+.