Looking for a good trap shotgun for my 18 year old

[RockIsland]

For a young buck, I'd start him out with a quality 12 gauge pump, 870 Wingmaster, Browning BPS, Ithaca M37, etc.

If he enjoys it enough and wants to continue, then he can get something specifically suited to trap shooting.

[OwenP]

I have an 1187, an 870, and a Turkish made American Tactical O/U. I'm equally inept with all 3 but the O/U is lighter and is easier for me to point and shoot.

That’s what’s important if it’s perfect for you that’s awesome

[VooDoo1VooDoo1]

Browning BT 99 plenty of used ones and they are made for the job.

I'm a Browning guy, and a big fan of the BT-99 if trap singles is as far as he might go. But being a break open single, that's really the only shotgun game that its good for. It's a great gun, and likely to be able to find one in your range, but when he figures out that Sporting Clays, trap doubles or skeet leave the BT-99 on the sideline, you might just wish that you had gone for the over/under. Plus, whenever he inevitably breaks a firing pin on the line, the o/u other barrel can be selected and lets you finish the round or day. Ask me how I know this.....

I really like the TriStar Trap gun. I was at a dealer/vendor show and actually spoke with the TriStar rep that designed the gun, and its a winner. A ton of starter value and a good shooting gun. I have also had my h ands on a few lightly used Beretta Silver Pigeon 28 inchers at around $1200, The Browning CXS (the prior Crossover model) is also a great gun and will handle everything he could throw at it. Spend a bit on a good gun and even if he does not stick with shotgun sports, your resale will not hurt you unless you go from a brand new Browning or Beretta to sell it used. That's where you would possibly take a bit of a hit in the value. Buying clean used and then having to sell a clean used shotgun is not bad and I would look at any lost value as just the rental cost of the gun for the time he owns it.

Of course, if you're like me, needing a new shotgun is one of my favorite first-world problems.