Thanks a lot guys. All this information is really helpful. I think I'll take your advice and go an hold them all and see what feels best. As far as the shotgun barrel, sounds like ill be best with either a 26 or 28 but like you said a 28 with a choke tube could be about 30 so that may be a little much. Does anyone have any infor on the recoil diff in the guns? I shot my dads Winchester m70 and Remington 870. Both are really old models but honesty they killed, the 870 the worst. I see all the newer models have deccelerator pads. Do these things make a significant difference or any at all? Again thanks again in advance for your help with this important purchase!