My 17 year old needs a new shotgun and his birthday is coming up. He outgrew his 870 Youth and his little brother has been using it. He's been using my 1100 lightweight but he needs something to call his own. I'm thinking a 12 gauge since ringnecks are making a good comeback in Kansas and he can always use it for quail and dove too. I don't waterfowl hunt but some of his friends do, so that may enter into the equation too. Any ideas or suggestions that won't break the bank? It will need interchangeable chokes given mission parameters.

There are pricier and more attractive options, than this idea.....However, I picked up a Mossberg pump with both short and long bbl, interchangeable chokes, and already in synthetic-stock camo -- 3 1/2" Twelve. It was on a gun show table and was still there at 'close' on Sunday. 150 bucks for the whole lot. Feeds everything I have fed it, as well.

Had to buy my own sling, tho. ;~`)

It has given good service and absorbed some few cosmetic blemishes, that would make a fellow blanch, if it were a blue steel and walnut hunting gun.

The good doubles stay in the 'closet', if it's not pure walk-about upland. Then they come out -- But in fact, I probably shoot the 'slider' better than my pets.

870 Wingmaster or Browning BPS.

870 Wing master would be my pick

+1 on the Rem 870, especially if he has grown up with the youth model (assuming he also likes it). A 12 gauge 870 is a solid gun right out of the box, and can be modified/accessorized almost any way you can think of. Like the 1911 or the AR, there are a world of gizmos you can buy to pimp out an 870 if that's what turns yer switch, or you can just screw in the appropriate choke tube, load it, and shoot it as is.

Just don't short-stroke it while trying to beat off a dozen or so kamikaze doves on a blistering September afternoon with a bunch of your buddies watching. Don't ask me how I know.