My dad bought me a 12ga Mossberg bolt action when I was 12. He never told me recoil was a problem. I thought it was going to be as fun to shoot as my 22lr. It was. I was a skinny arse kid but had no problem with a 12 ga. I was taught how to hold it properly and what to expect but never led to belive I couldn't handle it. To me, recoil was just a part of having fun and hunting.