Bought a H&R youth model 20 gauge for my kids at 8 or 9 years old. Kicked like a mule even with the big recoil pad it wore.I even remove the forceing cone and put in choke tubes still hit the kids hard. They ended up doing better with my old 311 SXS 20, loved it. Shows that fit is important. I think in a single shot, 28 gauge for starters, pump, 20 gaugeis better providing it fits.