Kids love cowboy guns!
My sons & daughters grew up with my guns around so they all got to first use the Ruger Single-Six with 22LR cylinder (later the 22 WMR cylinder). I felt it was a better learning tool being single action they could learn safe loading, range etiquette, stance, breathing, aiming, trigger control and still enjoy the fun of making a can dance, or a balloon pop.
After extracting 6 spent cases, they were so proud to holster (Galco old western style) that "cowboy" gun and step back.
Later an old slab-side Buckmark introduced all to semi-autos and the very different handling practices, then a Colt Woodsman for more accuracy than the Buckmark, and finally ending up with S&W Model 34 for plain fun and plinking and my Model 17 for real sweet paper punching.
Sons and daughters (one daughter became a LEO) all grew up this way, and now-days like to take out the 38's, the 357 Magnums, their own or my 9mm's or even the 45's if we have ammo, BUT..........they still like to have that old Ruger Single-Six in that well worn Galco holster and belt rig along at any session.
Kids and grandkids were all around age 12-13 when first starting to learn shooting so I personally think you can't go wrong with a cowboy gun in 22 to start.
Kinda like a single shot 22 bolt action rifle (mine was a Mossberg bought by my dad)....I wanted a semi, or at least a magazine fed, but....Pop knew best and he was right...only one shot so make it count, remember what you were taught about sight picture, breathing, aiming, what's behind your target, trigger control.
Good luck on whatever you choose and come back and let us know how he enjoys it!
