SHOT GUN RECOIL ?

[NapalmCheese]

I've had surgery in both shoulders.
One was a shattered clavicle, the other a subacromial reduction with accompanying removal of a ligament.

While I hate to say I'm recoil sensitive, I appreciate light recoiling guns.

A 12 gauge gas operated gun with light target loads will be a joy to shoot.
A 12 gauge O/U with light targets loads will be similar.
A 12 gauge O/U with full house pigeon loads will suck after a bit.
A 12 gauge pump with duck loads will suck after a bit.

A 20 gauge kicks just as hard if it doesn't fit or weighs commensurately less than the 12 gauge.

My advise would be to go with a 20 gauge gas gun that fits well and use light target loads. If you aren't that sensitive, stick to a 12 gauge gas gun with light target loads.

[squeeze]

I second the Beretta 400 w/kick-off. I have one and let many 1st time shooters use it. Kicks like a little girl. Semi-autos usually have less felt recoil AND ......many of them can be adjusted to fit you.
What ever you get: get a competent person to help you with the fit; NOT someone hanging out at your local range. It will make shooting so much easier.
Another thing to think about is shooting from the other shoulder. Yeah, yeah I know all about the "dominant" eye. With some effort that can often be worked around. This I know!
Don't know where you live but I suggest you take one of the skeet classes listed at the top of this shotgun forum. Not only will you learn to shoot clays but often you can get help with fit and trying other guns. A very cheap but valuable days lesson.

[flintforever]

I have to say I still can shoot a 30-06 but favor either my 243 cal. and 38-55 winchester.
The 38-55 at 1700 fps I can shoot all day with a Past shoulder pad.
I think a 12 ga. with light target loads for clays may be the way to go.
I am thinking on the lines of a Mossberg 12 ga. 28" barrel semi-auto
seem in my price range,I been looking at CZ has a few semi-auto's but the name Mossberg been around for a long time.
will 12 ga. semi auto function with light target loads?

[billped]

I'm not a skeet/trap guy, but a long time bird hunter. I've seen big guys with shoulder bruises and small women with no problems at all - both shooting the same gun.

Not discussed above, at least not much, is the huge benefit of good technique: leaning forward slightly, pulling slightly back, and a tight fit with the shoulder.

Choice of gauge, shell, pad, firearm type, etc. help, but if technique is poor, the rest doesn't seem to matter much.