I noticed a difference in recoil. I have a Maverick 88 and a Mossberg 500 with the pachmayr recoil pad. The hard "door stop" like rubber pad on my 88 hurts a little with some heavier loads and shooting 3 inch magnum slugs is like being in a car accident. The softer pachmayr pad on my 500 is much more pleasant to shoot and I feel like I have a little more control over the heavier stuff. Of course, and someone else may agree, there are other factors in that equation. The weight and balance of the two guns is slightly different, as well as the length of the stocks or (length of pull) my 500 has a 13" LOP and the 88- 14". I've heard that LOP makes a big difference. Just my personal opinion- I wouldn't rely on a pistol grip only for home defense. Different 500's come with different recoil pads and I've seen other 88's either earlier or later than mine with different pads as well. I shoot often, I shoot trap and sporting clays for fun, and practice on paper targets with buck and slugs so that I'm used to the recoil, and so I can be proficient with it should I ever need to use it. I would say to any one who's wondering what gun, configuration, and ammunition to get, get out there and shoot. Use or borrow a friends, rent one you think you might like, etc. find out through fun experience what works and feels best for you. I can't think of a better way to spend a weekend afternoon.