When my son was 14, I bought him a Rem. 870 Express in 12 ga. That shotgun has worked well for him. I loaded a bunch of 7/8 oz. loads (I also used them myself with #9 shot for 16 yard trap) and he started learning to shoot. Kids grow so fast that I just didn't feel right buying a youth model that he would outgrow in a year, so the stock was a little long for him at first. That fall I took him out on a Saturday morning for the kid's duck day (the weekend before the regular season here in Utah) and he got 3 ducks. That afternoon I took him to a pheasant hunt (game farm) that the state set up for kids who had taken the Hunter Education class that year, and he got 3 pheasants. Start him out with light loads, then substitute heavier loads when he is hunting. He will never notice the difference when shooting at game.

My son started on a 20 ga. youth model 870 and never looked back. He is 21 now and a fine wingshot. I have loaned the gun to others to get started. All agree it is a excellent 1st gun.

I recomend the rem 870 also but when you get a little more money the ithaca 37 are a great gun and built to handle harsh condtions.

You're on the right track with a 20 gauge. It will throw plenty of shot to be effective for any kind of shooting he'll do, while a .410 is more of an "expert's" gun than a beginner's gun, and most 28 gauges, though an excellent gauge for beginner or otherwise, would be too expensive and the ammunition too costly for a young shooter.

One of the problems a small-framed shooter has with any gun is the overall length. Unfortunately, pumps and autos have a long receiver which makes their overall length, even with a cut down stock and a short barrel, somewhat unweildy. There's not much better type of gun to start a new shotgunner on than a single-barrel break-open action. You just get one shot, but he needs to learn to make that one shot count. The gun will be light and compact and won't be too long for his (currently) short arms. These guns are always popular; you can buy one for a hundred dollars or so and in a few years you can resell it for almost what you paid and move him up to an auto or o/u or whatever is appropriate at that time.

The Winchester 1300 is also available in a youth model....but some kids at 13 are totally capable of a full sized stock.

The 20 Ga is a totally marvelous Ga and it's all I use anymore except for waterfowl.

There's three pumps that I recommend and one is the Remmy 870, the Win 1300 and the browning BPS.

On the used market if you can find one is the Ithaca 37.....

Not sure how much you're looking to spend, but I think a Remington 870 Express Youth is the way to go.:

Guns America 870 Youth

This way as he grows, all you have to do is change the stock and barrel. I got my wife an 1100 youth 20 guage and she loves it. Not too much recoil for her. Just a suggestion.

Jim

My son turns 13 on Thursday. We just got home from deer camp and discussed getting a shotgun for him. He was excited and now I have to decide which type/brand. Cost is an issue and since he is a small framed kid I think 20 guage is the best choice of guage. I am leaning towards pump as a starter, but am seeking advice. I don't hunt a lot of birds other than turkeys, but asume he'll use the shotgun for rabbit, squirrel, and the occasional upland bird. Let me know which reasonably priced shotgun you recommend and they gauge and type you might choose. TIA.

Well I know when I was 13 I was shooting a 12 ga browning citori with no troubles. Vapodog used to watch me dust clays at that age, he won't admit it but I could outshoot him at that age. I have since fallen in love with the twin tubes. Always go for two I say.

I'm not sure what you want to spend, but if you can afford it, the Beretta A391 20-gauge youth is a great option. It is soft shooting, and the stock is user adjustable for Length of pull, drop, and cast-off. Best of all, as your kid grows, you can adjust the gun so that is will still fit.