Beretta makes a quality shotgun so does Ruger so you can't go wrong. I hesitate to tell someone what to buy and I only have experience with older Beretta shotguns but they are made extremely well and will last a lifetime. I would lean toward them but only from owning a few. Everything I've heard/read about the Ruger was good too.

To be honest with you I think it's going to floor him that you put this much time and effort into this gift to where the actual gift itself (Ruger or Beretta) will not matter as much as you think.

I can only go off of my past experiences, my wife has purchased shotguns for me in the past (a Beretta and a Browning) and I was floored each time she did it.

Good luck but I'm sure it will turn out just fine.