Don't know about 3 1/2's my gun is a 870 mag and only takes 3 inch shells. However, like others said during the hunt you'll likely not feel the shot. But unless you can tolerate it during patterning your gun you'll probably anticipate it during your hunt and flinch before the shot which can't help your acuracy. Now that all depends on how focused you are on the bird and haw much your worried about the shot. I know with my deer gun (rem 870 mag) I shoot 3 inch mag slugs. I took a 16 year old boy hunting this year and he was so worried about the kick of the gun. His dad prefers an autoloader. I told him not to worry about it and that during thehunt he'd never feel it. Which is true for me. Unfortunatlyhe never got to test me on that this year. I do knoweven with my 3 inch mags I'd rather shoot a slug than a turkey load.

I patterned my gun over the weekend andjust took my time. One shot, walk and check the target. Another shot ...and so on. It wasn't to bad. 3 1/2's may have hurt more butif you take your time between shots it isn't too bad. Plus its all what your gun likes.