I appreciate all of the feedback. No need to worry I have no intention of putting a firearm in his hands before he is ready. At this point, just getting prepared.
The point made about a single sighting plane is well taken, after training with BB guns and rimfire rifles it could be hard to get used to something radically different in profile. Singles without the hammer are a little more difficult to find, though.
After a few years of shooting clumsy, over-choked singles, at 12 years old I was handed a well-used Parker 16 to shoot ducks. It was a glorious experience. I can remember every bird I killed with that gun. Learning to shoot with a gun thought of as special, I believe increases one's awareness and respect for the firearm and the sport.
