ur afraid of a 3inch but shot 3 1/2ers?? ur backwards....the longer one will kick harder...steping down ur loosing some shot...depending on the shells u buy u may loose a decint amount or a handfull...3 1/2 inchers are also supposta be able to shot farther...depending on the pattern...disadvantage to 3.5ers...they hurt as sed b4...try diffrent shells and choke combos...step down from a xtra full to full..maybe its to tight for the shot size...move closer to the target...bout 30yds is enough for patterning and kno where it hits close and far....or step down to 3 inchers...they are more than enough with a pattern thats not great....experiment

mauser06