870 20 gauge build. Why Youth??

[shedhunta]

Cabin fever has me wanting to set up an 870 20 gauge.  Wondering why it seems everyone is using the youth model?  Is just the stock smaller or is the receiver also smaller.  Reason I ask is I own a regular 20 ga and was thinking of dipping it, getting new choke, sights etc. 

Any insight will be appreciated. 

[Tom Foolery]

21" youth barrel vs 26" standard, I like shorter barrels. 


A big plus for me was the shorter LOP.  I'm 6' 230lbs with long arms, no neck and a 50" chest so when seated against a tree the short stock allows me a full range of motion without getting in a bind as a full length stock could do.  It was unreal how much more comfortable the youth stock was.


If you already had a 20 gauge build off it, but I went with the youth for the above reasons. 

[Full strut]

i did for the same reasons. it is smaller and easier to get around with when that time comes.

[Greg Massey]

The youth is a lot easier to move around and less weight. With your big frame 20 gauge everything is bigger and heavier... I agree with everyone i just love the short barrels 21 inch...

[SteelerFan]

...or in my case, I had a youth gun that my son used when he was 12. Ten years later, it does not fit - so it's going through a makeover to become a dedicated turkey gun.

[1iagobblergetter]

The youth is a lot easier to move around and less weight. With your big frame 20 gauge everything is bigger and heavier... I agree with everyone i just love the short barrels 21 inch...

I was amazed how my boys youth patterned with the short barrel. I had to take a double take at the patterning board. Lol....

[Sand Man]

Agree on the 21" barrel.  Also, youths seem to be much easier to find beat up and cheap.  I paid $160 for one I picked up.  Stocks were trashed and lots of surface rust, but I didn't care.  I was replacing the stocks and sanding down to paint.  As long as the bore is bright on them, I'll buy them all day long.