Plenty of North Carolina kids learn on a youth pump gun, and the Mossberg 500 Compact Bantam is built for exactly that. It is a 20 gauge chambered for 3" shells, with a 24" barrel and a six-round capacity. The black synthetic and wood look is plain and practical.

The Bantam name tells you the stock is cut down for smaller shooters. A shorter length of pull helps a young hunter keep the gun mounted and see down the rib. Twenty gauge recoil is easier than a twelve, which matters when a nervous beginner is learning to follow through.

A pump action is simple to run and easy to teach. Slide, shoot, slide. It is a fine choice for a first dove season, a youth turkey hunt, or clay birds at a local club. A smaller adult who dislikes heavy recoil will find it friendly too.

This one is new. Because it is a firearm, it ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer of your choice, where you handle the paperwork and background check. Line up the dealer first and the whole thing takes a few days instead of a few weeks.