I think it would a good choice. My b-16 is over a year old no problems with the breech an good accuracy. with do 630 fps with 7.4 grain pellets I have a 6 power leaper compact on mine. If you really want to spoil the kid get him hw 25l for $ 196.00. I purchased one awhile back and was not real happy with it, the trigger pull on the one I got was over 10lbs out of the box, had to check that the safety was off twice before I got it to fire. Fit and finish is great but a direct sear trigger on a $200 air rifle is not my idea of a good rifle...
He might be a lefty and might be that his master eye is on the left that would be best for him and forcing him to shoot righty might make him not as a good shooter.
I was more concerned with replacement parts i.e. springs, seals, breech seals etc than getting it to 1500 FPS . The gun seems to get a little smoother with every shot. Thanks for the scope recommendations TPW. I couldn't find your thread on accuracy. Darryl that kid is holding the gun on the wrong side. He won't be getting good accuracy that way . The ruger looks a lot like the XS-16. Northern lights, I already own the gun. Mike was gracious enough to send one my way. I couldn't afford that kind of cash for an air gun for my son right now, but if I were to buy something else it will be a 2240 custom shop carbine probably. Light, no recoil, and easy to cock. Thanks for the recommendations guys.