On my 1890's vintage 14ga Husqvarna hammer gun with 13.5" lop, just this last weekend I decided to forego a pad and add a (blended) extension to a vintage, coarsely checkered plate with a spur at the top and engraved screws to match the engraving on the gun. Lop is now 14.25". I had considered a nice leather covered pad, but not only does the vintage plate match the character of the gun better than a pad, but I saved 3 oz vs. a pad by hollowing out the stock and the extension as well. It was 6.ll lbs, but is now 6.8, balanced at the hinge pin, even with 31.5" long barrels. Huns and roosters watch out.
All that said, pads are certainly more durable and obviously offer more recoil absorption. It really just depends on the gun and what you're after.
