Mossberg Silver Reserve Bantam Youth 20ga 26″ Over/Under

About this product

The Mossberg Silver Reserve Bantam Youth 20ga 26" Over/Under is a purpose-built break-action shotgun engineered for smaller-stature shooters who require a field-ready platform that doesn't compromise on mechanical function. This isn't a toy or a cut-down adult firearm—it's a scaled 20-gauge over/under with a 14.25-inch length of pull, a 26-inch vent-rib barrel, and a 3-inch chamber that handles everything from light target loads to standard hunting pressures. At 6.2 pounds, it splits the difference between a featherweight single-shot and a full-size competition gun, providing enough mass to manage recoil without overwhelming a youth or petite adult shooter during a full day in the blind or on the sporting clays course.

What is the Mossberg Silver Reserve Bantam Youth used for?

This shotgun is designed for introducing shooters under 5'6" and with shorter arm lengths to shotgunning sports without handicapping them with an ill-fitting, full-size firearm. The immediate answer is controlled-range instruction, introductory sporting clays, and small-game hunting where 20-gauge ballistics are appropriate. The fixed stock with its 14.25-inch length of pull is the critical spec here—it allows proper cheek weld and shoulder pocket alignment for shooters who would be stretched thin by the standard 14.5 to 14.75-inch pull common on adult shotguns. The 26-inch barrel provides a smooth, fast swing for crossing targets on a skeet field or flushing birds in heavy cover, while the 5-piece choke set (cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, full) lets an instructor or mentor tune patterning for everything from close-range clays to 40-yard passing shots on dove.

How does the Mossberg Silver Reserve Bantam Youth compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact 20ga 26" O/U Shotgun?

The Mossberg is a more traditional, mechanically straightforward entry-point over/under, while the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact incorporates more modern synthetic components for weight reduction and weather resistance. The Mossberg uses a steel receiver with a satin silver finish and traditional walnut furniture, resulting in a 6.2-pound weight that aids in recoil management for new shooters. The Stevens 555 Compact utilizes an aluminum alloy receiver and a synthetic stock, bringing its weight down to approximately 5.8 pounds—better for all-day carry but slightly sharper in perceived recoil with equivalent loads. The Mossberg's manual safety is a traditional tang-mounted sliding button; the Stevens uses a trigger-block safety. For a youth shooter whose primary focus is learning proper form on a range or in a controlled hunting scenario, the Mossberg's added mass and classic balance provide a more forgiving platform. For a shooter who will face wet conditions or prioritize absolute minimal weight, the Stevens is the better tool.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The shotgun weighs 6.2 pounds (2.81 kg) unloaded, with an overall length of 42.5 inches, a barrel length of 26 inches, and a critical length of pull measuring 14.25 inches. The 26-inch barrel features a 10mm-wide vent rib with a single brass bead front sight, and the chambers are bored for 3-inch shells (76mm). The stock drop at comb is approximately 1.5 inches, with a drop at heel of around 2.5 inches, creating a sight plane that naturally aligns for most shooters when the stock is properly seated. The distance from the trigger face to the back of the recoil pad is the defining 14.25-inch measurement—this is what makes it a 'Bantam' or 'Youth' model compared to the standard Silver Reserve's 14.75-inch pull.

Who is this NOT for?

This is not the firearm for an experienced adult shooter of average or larger build looking for a primary competition or waterfowl gun. The abbreviated stock will feel cramped and force a hunched shooting stance for anyone with a longer arm length, drastically affecting mount consistency and recoil management over a 100-round sporting clays course. It is also not ideal for high-volume trap shooting where a longer, heavier barrel (30 or 32 inches) provides a smoother follow-through on long, rising targets. Finally, if your use case demands extreme weather resistance or you prioritize shaving every possible ounce for mountain upland hunting, a synthetic-stocked over/under like the Stevens 555 Sporting 20 Gauge is a better starting point, despite its longer standard stock.

What's in the box?

You receive the complete shotgun, a set of five interchangeable choke tubes (Cyl, IC, M, IM, Full) with a choke wrench, and the standard owner's manual and warranty card. The chokes are threaded for the common Beretta/Benelli Mobilchoke pattern (not Invector or Invector-Plus), which is a significant plus for accessory compatibility. The gun ships from the factory with the Improved Cylinder and Modified chokes pre-installed in the upper and lower barrels, respectively. There is no included case—a hard or soft case rated for firearm transport is a required separate purchase for legal and practical transportation.

Is the Mossberg Silver Reserve Bantam Youth worth it at $747.99?

At its current price point, it represents good value for its intended niche: a first over/under for a young or small-statured shooter that won't need immediate replacement. The answer is yes, provided you are buying it for its specific ergonomic role. You are paying for a scaled, balanced platform with proper walnut furniture and a functional choke system, not for high-end aesthetics or competition-level durability. For comparison, having a competent gunsmith permanently shorten and refinish the stock of a standard adult over/under would cost $250-$400 alone, not including the base gun. At $747.99, you get a complete, purpose-built system that works out of the box. If the shooter is likely to grow into a standard frame within a year or two, a used pump-action with a shorter stock may be a more economical stopgap. But for a dedicated learning tool that teaches proper over/under mechanics from day one, the price is justified.