I think you're going to have to wait a while. Unless your daughter is really big, any 20 ga. is going to be too big for her. My son has an 870 20 ga. He is ten years old, almost five feet tall and 108 lbs, and the 870 is a little too big for him. He can shoot it fine on a rest, and can even shoot skeet pretty well with it, but his position is all wrong on the gun. He has to hold the very back of the fore grip, which has caused problems chambering the next round during cold weather when he's wearing gloves.

I also have to disagree with the recoil being really low as mentioned previously. My son's 870 (pump) 20 ga. seems to have about the same felt recoil as my 11-87 (auto loader) 12 ga. Which isn't really bad, but for a 4 year old girl, I'd say it is excessive. She will develop a flinch if she shoots the 20 ga. at this age.

I have four children (two boys and two girls). This year I hunted deer with all but my youngest son who just turned two this week. My youngest daughter is five and she road in my pack as we stalk hunted, and I must say, it was really cool. We both had a great time. Even though she didn't have a gun, it must be cool to ride on the back of a hunter sneaking through the woods. We even came up with some hand signals for her to alert me with if she were to see some deer, since she was up a little higher than me.

My seven year old daughter came along a few times also, and we took a little four pointer (one I would have normally passed on, but we'd agreed four or more points was a taker for the day). She was too heavy for me to carry for hours on end and is a little too small an irresponsible to carry a loaded gun, so we took a different approach. I explained the property boundaries, activities associated with the time of day, the terrain and wind direction and she took control of the hunt, and made it happen. It was a great time.

And my oldest - well we had a great time too. Unfortunately we didn't take any animals on our outings, but passed on a few not so optimal shots, which I think was good ethics to pass on to him and we had a lot of fun together. He carries either his 870 or my sks.

My point is, don't rush it and you can still have fun without her carrying a gun. You could do some of the things I mentioned above, or come up with something new for yourself. She could always carry a toy gun, and then graduate to an unloaded gun and then finally to a loaded gun? Ride in daddy's pack or take control of the hunt. Nonetheless out hunting with dad, and I think that is what really matters. But if she really wants a gun, and you want her to have it, get it for her. Let her shoot it, but when you see what I'm talking about, just explain that you're sorry but it may be a while before she's ready to carry it while a field.

Good luck,
KP