Well there are other ways to help lessen the felt recoil, one way is to replace the butt stock with a recoil reducing stock like the Knoxx stock by Blackhawk. but also is your technique. If you are leaning away from the gun with your weight on the back leg, then you aren't managing the recoil. It's managing you, also what load were you shooting?. It will take 3 in shotshells, But if you scaled back to 2 3/4 in, much less recoil. Federal has a reduced recoil SD load as well as slugs. Find out if there are any firearms instructors in your area, take a class or two. The Shotgun, at first is intimidating but after some practice it is quite an enjoyable thing to shoot. I have an M590, and i shoot it alot. Here is a pic of it.