I just got a gold hunter european (satin finish w/ a semi-humpacked reciever) It cycles all my loads very good and kicks like a 22, i miss being a little bruesd after a day of shooting..the only hting i have really is the d*mn recoil pad, it sticks to my shoulder so i can make any fine adjustments...+its about 3/4 inch long so i just cant take it off. Why do they have such a hefty recoil pad on a gas operated gun?