I know what you mean. I shot a 16 gauge Mossberg back in the 70's my buddy gave me. I owned it a week. Then I understood why he gave it to me! Beat the crap out of ya even with a good recoil pad. Made a 1100 12 gauge feel like a BB gun. I was thinking a good 20 would not have that kick.
I gave that 16 to a guy at work I had a real dislike for!
