...the main point I was making here (and, by all means, correct me if I'm wrong on this) is that SxS's made to accomodate the 3" shell by necessity have to be a good deal meatier than guns that were designed around the 2.5" or 2.75" shells.
granby: It was the "by necessity" claim I wanted, by all means, to correct.
But we are certainly in agreement (on Winchester 21 and 23,
et al.) that many 20ga. SxS guns built for 3" mags are a bit chunky and lacking in aesthetics. Vincenzo Bernardelli is one who did it well.
If I had to shoot a 'steady and copious' diet of 20ga. 3" mags, I wouldn't do it with a solid breech gun, period. My grandson's 20ga. Franchi semiauto does a far better job of sucking up magnum recoil, and, at a flat 6 lbs., is an easy carry in the field.
