I bought a thompson center hawken 54 cal like new here in rhode island ,at a bait/gun store for 150.00...like new......like everyone said its a great thing to save and buy what you like...1200 alot for a kid..alot of guns used in like new shape in the 250-450 range...if he's got his heart set on it you'll never change it though, good to hear he into it...