I know most of you guys deal with more important discussions about guns BUT I am in a quandry sorta...
I have two sons 9-7 and I wanted to get them a gun they could hunt with this year. I have gone back and forth debating between buying a good quality gun VS. something like the Rossi. I ended up buying the Rossi, thinking that this gun would get us to the age and time that I can afford to buy a gun that is generational for each boy.
If that was not enough back in forth in my mind, I ended up walking at with a true glow red dot scope, thinking it may be eaiser for them to focus on. It is also a better fit on the gun.
So i thought I would throw it out to you all for your opinions. Cant do much about the gun but certianly can take back the scope.

To me the red dot style is good for closer range, I wouldnt want to shoot further with it.

I think the gun is fine. It isnt the choice some would make, but alot of them shoot pretty good. Pretty... no, fancy.. no but they sure are cost efective and get the job done. I would have gone with a traditional scope, but see how they shoot it, and if they do well with it then let them have at it as it is.

matt

I would go with a 4X scope and get away from the red dot.

Those things are notorious for failing when you need them most and it's usually because you forgot to turn it off and the battery goes dead....It will happen, trust me!

A good fixed power scope is going to work just fine and it's easy to understand when you just tell them to put the cross hair on the deer just behind the shoulder.

You don't want to put an expensive scope on a Rossi that cost more than the rifle so a Nikon 4X or a Bushnell Banner or a Tasco will work just fine.

My son Is 8 I got him the rossi .410/.22 combo that he dove hunts and target shoots with, and a rossi youth .243 3-9X40 scope for deer/hogs.

The .410 kicks like a mule, my son wont let me put a pad on it but it doesnt seem to bother him hes taken his share of birds this year. The .243 is smooth, little recoil with the 80 grain rounds and accurate enough to be great at less than 200 yards.

Ultimately the boys dont really care much as long as it shoots. I want them to have the best but I want them to grow into it.

You just talked me out of the Red dot! Thanks. I didnt even take it out of the package becasue I wasnt sure...

That is funny...Boys want to be tough and strong dont they? This one has a 20 guage so I expect the same thing. I think you hit the nail on the head with the yardage as we do not have many shots over 150yrds. I would be hesitant for them to shoot that distance. Thanks for you input