My go to grouse gun for many years now is a 20 ga, 26", pistol grip, splinter, double trigger example. It weighs 6-12. Many people over the years have shot the gun and it is often that they comment on how light it is and then I tell them. One guy came just short of calling me a liar. At an early years Haussman shoot I shot with a well known dealer and he took a few shots with it and commented on its lightness and good handling. I asked him if he had a scale with him and after our round of clays he weighed it. He got the most perplexed look on his face and I just smiled. I have carried this gun for grouse all these years without difficulty and have shot countless rounds of clays with it without the slightest recoil complaints. I shoot standard 7/8 oz 1200 fps loads exclusively. In my view it is not the weight of the gun but how the weight is distributed that counts.

Agree fully Gary

Big difference between Greg's and Gary's 20 gauge Repros. Greg's 6-5 Repro is similar to stripped down Meriden 20s and 16s.

I also have a 28" 20 ga with pistol grip, double triggers, and beavertail. With the snap caps in it just hits the 7 pound mark. And yet my 12 ga with 28" barrels and beavertail weighs just 7-2. Go figure.

I have a VHE 20 with 26" barrels with 3" chambers built in 1917 and it weighs 6-2. Just a joy to carry and shoot, no problem with recoil but the balance and slim build must contribute to its handling characteristics. It came from an old time dealer in Pennsylvania who described it so well over the phone, I bought it sight unseen. Another very prominent dealer had recently told me to sell your 12's and buy 20's. Again, a testament to being a member of this forum and a little luck of course.