My first shotgun when I was about 11 years old. Remington 870 Express, chambered in 20 gauge, youth model; so I think the barrel length was 21" or 22" instead of the normal length of 26". Smaller shotguns chambered in .410 were too expensive to shoot, and damn hard to hit with due to the smaller shot size. Full size 12ga guns were far too heavy, too long, and too much recoil for a young kid to be putting a ton of shells through. This shotgun struck a balance between being lightweight enough that I could hold it up and swing it out without much fatigue, but not too light that it couldn't handle the recoil. Despite being a good fit, I would still bruise the hell out of my shoulder, often shooting 200+ target shells on the weekends shooting clays, trap, skeet, with my father. I estimate I probably put close to 5k to 6k rounds down the gun without any breakage, but would have issues with the extractor sticking. Three years after owning, I would regrettably pawn the gun off to help fund my travels to my first Counter Strike LAN tournament, traveling from Michigan to Louisiana, to the LA Mercenaries CS tournament, co-hosted with [C.O.P.S.] Clan. I considerably overestimated the travel expenses, so upon returning flush with cash, I went back to the store to see if they still had it, and unfortunately it was sold...oh well. Fond memories still remain.
(LA Merc "Armageddon" LAN Event, I think this was... June 2002. From Left to right; Ninja, MillerTime, Me (age 14, drinking a BAWLS, my CS name at the time was Colt.45_9/11), and TexasLawDogg. Most folks attending were from the LE/Mil community and combined the LAN event with a fundraiser for the family of a recent fallen Deputy out of Georgia. Notice Lawdogg's pager on his left side? lol, man how time flys. He had a 1911 on the right side. He asked me when we first met, "Son, which colt .45 do you prefer? (45 Long Colt SAA or .45 ACP 1911) Answer me truthfully now or I'll lock you up!" Nervously, I said "both!" He smiled and said "Good answer! You're free to go!"