My son turns 12 in time for next years hunting season. Here in NY that means he will be old enough to hunt. I want to give him a head start by getting him his first "real" gun now so he has a year to get used to it. He takes after me at that age in that he is a little guy for his age, skinny, maybe 60lbs and short guy in his class. I measured the distance from the inside of his elbow to his 1st finger knuckle and it is just over 13". His airgun has a LOP of 13" but it is too long for him. He struggles to get his cheek in a good location to line up the sights properly. I have a couple options for his first gun.

I want his 1st to be a .22lr or small gauge shotgun, no preference towards either yet. I have an option to purchase a used Mossberg .410 pump shotgun at a bargain price. I know if I get it I will have to cut down the stock and may have to have the barrel cut back to reduce weight and balance it properly. I am wondering about how much it may cost to have a choke tube installed on that shortened barrel and if it would be good value to do so.

I also know that several manufacturers make used shotguns and rimfires. Too many mfg's to rattle off my head.

Anyone want to throw out their opinions as to what direction they would go for a first firearm for a little guy?

Any experience out there with Savage, Remington, Rossi, etc youth guns?

MikeW