Calhoun, can you be more specific in your steering away from Mossberg (outside of style or status points)? Between their father and their grandfather, there's many levergun options, but none I'm willing to cut down. Cutting down a new manufacture Mossberg seemed less painful than cutting a 336 or 99.
Ah, didn't know how small your kids are. If you are just looking for a youth rifle or another rifle to cut down to be a youth rifle, than use whatever is dependable. I thought you were talking about getting a youngster their first hunting rifle that they'd have for a long time. Be like getting somebody a Pinto for their first car, and trust me that the pain of that never goes away.
I'm also right handed and left eye dominant and have one boy who is also, a lever action is a good solution as long as the safety is accessible to a lefty.
