The sixteen is a really good gauge. IMO. Mostly you get a lighter gun, close to a 20... as most guns,such as the browning bps are built on their 20 frame... Also recoil is comparable to the 20ga, but you get closer to the knockdown power of the 12ga. All my comparison is with 2-3/4 shells since the 16ga doesnt have the luxury of being availible in 3". Shells tend to be pricey and/or hard to find at times.
These are just some of the differences I notice but I'm only one voice...