I have owned very few straight grip guns, but the ones I have had I liked. Can't actually recall if I have shot any load heavier than the 3 3/4-1 while using a straight grip or not. I didn't notice any particular undue recoi with the ones I have used, though I was never particularly recoil sensitive.
I will note that Nash Buckingham's original #1 Bo-Whoop was an HE Fox with straight grip. While he did on occasion shoot it for other purposes with lighter loads it was primarily his waterfowl gun. His most favored load for this was the Winchester SuperX 3" load of 1 3/8 oz of luballoy #4's.
After this gun was lost & Nash's friends replaced it for him Bert Becker made a mistake & #2 had a pistol grip. From his writings Nash always regretted this mistake as he much preferred the straight grip. I don't recall him ever saying how tightly he gripped his guns, though he may have mentioned it.
