My first thought, before I read your post was to recommend the A5's I love them also. But gas operated is the way to go if you want the benefits of recoil absorption. Also keep in mind that the heavier gun the lighter the recoil (everything else being equal). Backbored barrels will have less recoil as well. But how much is hot topic of debate, but I personally think they do help. Porting...may help also, (they also like to argue this one), but I can't tell a difference in recoil, only the the noise level goes up. You're not going to go wrong with what they call the "B" guns. Browning, Beretta and Benelli. Remington's 11-87 is right with them, its just not made by a company that starts with B. If you are wingshooting I'd go more off of how it "feels" than anything else. My buddy has a Montefeltro that I will not shoot for the simple reason that I dislike its sighting plane being recessed 'down' into the reciever alittle more than usual. Of course I like the ole humpback A5's and that's something that is totally personal. Be sure to check the Browning Golds and the Beretta AL391.