Heh. Actually, I’ve never shot anything other than a 12 and a 20. I prefer the 12 unless I’m really gonna shoot 200 rounds in a day. You can get light enough loads that are adequate for trap/skeet, and will not cause too much pain. Get a padded shooting vest if you don’t already have one, and the 20 with light target loads will do you fine.

I know lots of people who started with a 12 gauge, and that’s all they ever use, and they do just fine.

Personally, I started out with a Winchester Model 37 break in 16GA. No recoil pad, only a hard plastic molded butt-plate. There was some felt recoil but manageable for me (but I have been described as being built like a brick shithouse). Then, I upgraded to an 870 12GA. Since I don’t shoot nearly as much as I would like, I can tell when I have shot a case of shells, but not so bad as to discourage the desire.

The first gun I ever shot clays with was a .22/20Ga O/U at a hunter safety class. Broke 5/5-the only person to do so that day.

Another friend who used to shoot trap 4-6 nights a week has an 870 Trap, which has no magazine, and instead has a mercury tube to help absorb recoil. I believe you can buy these to insert into magazines on at least pump guns. This may help. I don’t know if they work in Autos.

I think that you will find the 410 too challenging for clays - not enough pellets.
I’ve never bothered with a 28ga. As I’ve always considered 20 minimum for any kind of hunting. (Quail, rabbit, squirrel)

Last suggestion - you’re not shooting “high brass” through your twenty, are you? If so, try shooting a box of “low brass” for clays. You’ll find them MUCH easier on your shoulder. Or borrow someone’s 12ga for 3 quick rounds. Then the 20 will feel like a .22. Kinda like using a lead bat in the warmup circle. :)

MichaelG
who has been wanting a 10ga pump with 32 inch and rifled slug barrels. :)
Consider this round: 10 Gauge Federal Power-Shok, 3-1/2″, 1-3/4 oz. Rifled Hollow Point Slug, 1280 fps. Puts muzzle energy in 50 BMG range!

…If it’s for you, just shoot the 20 gauge. A 2 3/4 inch 20 gauge will be light kicking and effective for skeet, trap and doves, and 3 inch magnums have the same size shot charge and a comparable shot string to a 2 3/4 12 gauge duck load…which is all you ever really need if you’re shooting ducks over decoys.

By the way, the reason Frankenshotty is probably kicking like a mule are twofold - it’s an autoloader, but it ain’t gas operated, so it won;t have the light recoil of a gas operated gun. The bigger reason is probably the significant drop at heel of humpback guns like the A5 and Remington Model 11. Most of your recoil is concentrated along the upper third of your buttplate, rather than the entire butt. Think of it as getting stabbed rather than shoved. The kinetic energy is the same, but one is a lot more concentrated than the other.

Get it fitted with a good recoil pad, taking care that you factor in the thickness of the pad when you figure length of pull.

But if you’re actually going to wingshoot with it, yeah it’s definitely an expert’s gun. Too small a pattern, too short and thin a shot string, and too limited a range. It’ll either make an expert out of you, or sour you on wingshooting in a hurry.

Better to pick up a 28 or 20 gauge with youth stocks for the kiddies, or just shoot a 20 gauge for the adults.

I’d love to have a 410 double, pump, or BOTH!

If you really want a good gun to learn with, find a gas-action 20ga semi-auto. Remington 1100/11-87 would be my suggestion. If you’re really concerned about recoil, replace the factory butt pad with an R3 pad - I have one on my 870 and it soaks up a lot of the punch.

FWIW, I learned shotgunning with an 870 12ga, and I consider myself a fair shot (22/25 is a normal trap round for me). 100 or 200 rounds of 12ga target loads is not an excessive morning, especially if you wear a pad or even a sweatshirt.

You should be able to find an 11-87 at your local pusher in the $500-550 range, maybe a touch less if you find a sale. The 1100 is a bit more upscale and will be more expensive.

Now if you want a real challenge, try using a .22 with shot shells on clays. My dad claims he used to do that.

PS I shot many dove when I was younger with a Remington Model 11 in 20ga. Before you put too many rounds through it, you may want to check and make sure that the friction ring is in good shape and is installed correctly for the type of load you are using. An overly worn friction ring can lead to damage to the receiver, especially if the fiber washer/cushion is in bad shape as well.