Here are two of my light 12ga guns. They are great to carry all day. I have no issues or handicap when shooting them.
I load 2 1/2" paper and plastic 1oz and 1 1/8oz shells @1200fps for them. I don't realize any excessive recoil with either.
First is a Charles Daly Featherweight with 26" barrels weighing 5# 9oz empty.
Here is my John Dickson round action from 1890 with 28" barrels. It weighs 6# even. I love hunting with this gun.
All of my 12ga field guns are 6#12oz or less.
My 16ga field guns are 5#7oz to 6#4oz.