If any of the guns you are considering have 16”ish barrels, I would consider the muzzle blast factor. I really don’t even like how much the blast increases going from 20” down to 18” in most calibers, much less 16”. For kids (and most adults if they are honest), the concussion coming off a short barrel makes it extremely difficult to concentrate knowing what’s looming over you. For me, it’s worse than the recoil itself. 16” AR barrels are unpleasant to me versus a rifle length. I think these new 16” barrel bolt guns are mostly meant to be shot with a can.
I’ve always made my son wear double hearing protection at the range to guard against flinch. Whatever you get for him I suggest you do that too.
EDIT: BTW, at that age their ear canals are too small for most ear plugs, even rolled up tight. I bought a pack of those pink “lady” ones for my son, which he didn’t like. But they fit him, and with electronic muffs over them at the range he’s never complained
Last edited by M48scout; 12/21/22 08:34 AM.
