I would go with a good Pump for a new shooter. A pump action will help him learn to aim a little better to make the first shot count, and not empty the magazine trying to hit something on the second or third. My personal choice for kids is a Remington 870 with the adjustable length stock. You can add the spacers as the kid grows, and replace it with an adult stock when they are grown. I've got a lot of shotguns and love my double barrels, but I will still use the 870 that was my first shotgun often (It's 50 years old this year).
