I think it has to do with how much experience you have with guns. My first shot gun I got was a NEF single shot 20 GA. when I was 11. It was a pretty good gun for me at the time. But last year when I was 13 I got a NEF pardner pump 12 GA. this worked out preety good for me. I shot a turkey anda deer with it but It doesn't kick much. It is really heavy though weighing about 7 pounds.