12 gauge too much for a 12 year old?

[SILENTSOUL308]

12ga Should be fine for him at that age.....Hell I started shooting in trap competitions when I was 6yrs old.....My dad cut down his Browning Citori for me....worked great!

 

[WardenWolf]

At his size and weight, he shouldn't have any major problems with a full-sized 12 gauge, as long as he can handle the recoil. With good padding, he should have no problems whatsoever. I'm not sure how the Kick-Eez compares to a Limbsaver, though. If the Limbsaver is better, you might consider upgrading to that.

I'm 26, 5'8", 165 pounds. I've fired my father's old Remington 1100 a few times. I'm not particularly a fan of that shotgun thanks to Remington not bothering to put a recoil pad on it at at all (wooden stock directly into the shoulder is a bit unpleasant), but it's tolerable for hunting. If it were my shotgun, I'd have a Limbsaver installed. Proper padding turns even the nastiest kick into a hard shove.

 

[Sinixstar]

He's bigger then I am when I started shooting a 12.

The only reason why I might start out at a 20ga - is to avoid developing a flinch. Speaking strictly in terms of mass, and whether or not he *can* handle it - i don't think it's much of a question. The question becomes whether or not his body is used to it, and whether or not his body is going to develop a reaction.
I'd say if you have a 20ga to start him out on for awhile, that would be the better way to go. Even if it's just for a couple of months to help him get used to absorbing recoil before you step it up.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

I have the same shotgun and my son is just about the same size as yours. He had no problems with the weight or recoil but the reach to the forestock and overall length was just a touch too much. I moved him to a Stoeger Condor in 20 ga. which seems to be a better fit at this point.

 

[foghornl]

Stock Fit & High Quality recoil pad.

Start with light loads and work up.