I dont know how big this kid is but I was 8yrs old when I got my H&R 20ga. Recoil was a bit painful out of the box if I remember correctly. But Dad remedied that with the stock cut down and an enormous pad put on the end in addition to the shoulder pad on my hunting and shooting vests and then it was more than managable. Although it's not like I was out shooting 25 round boxes of BBs in under half an hour at that age. That would have left a bruise and a headache for sure. That was a great gun. I wouldn't get a 410 for my son. If I really wanted to reduce recoil I'd go with one of the lightwieght wingmaster autos in 20ga. Those kick like a 22.