A couple years ago I was going to get a gun for my daughter. My boss told me to try the one(20ga NEF)he had gotten for his son. Holy cow, My 12ga 870 kicks like a mule, but that thing was worse. I ended up getting her a 20ga 870. It works fine for her and was less than $250 w/sites and a slingon it as well.

But if he can handle the kick, it should pattern well enough at 20-30yds. Personally I didn't like it. It was a very loose pattern.