My first gun, purchased for me the Christmas I was 14, by dear old Mom. Mine has a vent rib, 30" barrel and a full choke. My Dad, who knew little about shotgunning, insisted I put a recoil pad on it. I wish I hadn't. Another thing he made me do was store the gun in a dry fired condition, but, folded, so, the front wood has a gouge or two in the slot from the under lever being jammed into it.
Dad was a lot better rifleman than shotgunner.
I fed it a 3" round about once, on a goose hunting trip, swore I'd never do that again, and missed the goose. I do use it in years that we have enough snow to snowshoe in, for grouse hunting from snowshoes-this is mostly theoretical hunting, but, the gun is light, and long enough to make a good balance stick as I walk.
You don't need more than one round, or, a heavy load for this type of hunting, but, a sense of humor helps.
The gun has never been any trouble. I read somewhere that copies exist with really bad triggers, but, my gun isn't one of them.
Good Luck,
Best,
Ted
