My older 17-5 is a 6 shot 6" full sized ( K-frame) it is real and very capable for teaching the principles of marksmanship, sight picture trigger control and grip control. This isn't a Zombie killer. Mine has target grips, but smaller profile grips can be had to fit small hands. But used a few years ago was $500 OTD. My sons learned shotgunning on $2000+ shotguns, Give them good tools, treat them like responsible young men and they will step up. If they are too immature to be trusted with good firearms, they are to immature to be trusted with anything that uses real ammo! Ivan