Depending on how big you 16 year old is will help you with the decision. My Oldest daughter and youngest son both started with a 12 guage winchester 1300. Both pattern very well, are light and because of the bolt design have less recoil than the 870, mossberg and nova pumps. My middle daughter is very small and shoots the 870 youth in 20 guage mostly becuase of gun fit. It'll kill a turkey out to 35 yards+ with a hastings tube and #6 shot.

Find out what fits your 16 year old best and pick it up. It's pretty much a chevy, ford & dodge argument.

By the way Chevy's rock!