The first time I took him out shooting was with air guns, then he got his first gun, a Chipmunk .22 single shot bolt action that is perfect to learn on, as after you chamber a round the cocking know must be pulled back, and a kid at 5-7 years old just doesn't have the hand strength, so I am involved in every shot.

His next gun was a Rossi "Matched Pair" Combo gun, which is also a .22, but comes with a .410 shotgun barrel that replaces the .22 barrel in about 30 seconds with no tools required. With slugs, it's capable (but not my first choice..) of taking down large nasties with claws. It breaks open and has automatic ejection like a regular trap gun, and the hammer must be manually cocked for each shot. It can be carried broken open for visual confirmation of safety. Great little package, and has a neat carrying case for the spare barrel. Insanely cheap too. I think I paid $189 for his a few years back.





http://www.rossiusa.com/whatsnew/matchedpair.cfm

Checking the site for pics, I now see they have the "trifecta", which is three calibers in one gun.

In 2007 the Trifecta was named the “Best Value” rifle by Field & Stream’s coveted “Best of the Best” gear testing team. The team was impressed by the gun’s ruggedness, simplicity and value.

Trifecta specifications:

Item number: S2022243YBS (Matched Set 20-gauge/.22 LR/.243 Win. Youth Size)
Item number: S202244YBS (Matched Set 20-gauge/.22 LR/.44 Mag. Youth Size)



That would make a perfect camping or survival piece with those three calibers. You could take anything from squirrel to pheasant to deer.