For the life of me I can't figure out how the 410 bore ever got to be considered a "kid's" shotgun. If anything it is an expert's shotgun. Normally one points a shotgun but with a 410 one must aim. You can ruin a kid that way. Took me forever to learn to shoot a shotgun after starting with a 410. A 20 gauge serves much better as a started gun than the 410 bore. That being said I like the 410 in its place and I still use mine for squirrels after the leaves are gone.