I just bought my son a 1187 20 today for Christmas, after debateing on the youth or sportsman I ended up buying the regular sportsman,my son will be 12 and is pretty small but I think he will grow into it fast,It has a 26in barrel which from what I read might shoot a little better.I will have to find a good choke and shell combo so I can get it shooting good for him,I think with the new shells and chokes I can get good patterns from this gun.