I have had a lot of experience with the Marocchi Line of shotguns. My clays gun is the Conquista, I have had it for 10 years and put approx 50,000 rounds through the gun. I had an Avanza but sold it to a hunting buddy years ago. I thought it was too light for a 12 ga gun shooting 1 1/4 oz Pheasant loads. It kicked like a mule, much like one would expect out of a 6.5 lb O/U. He put on a 1 inch kickeze pad that helped a little. He loves the gun, however it was not my favorite shotgun, and I don't miss it. However it was nice too carry on those long days from sun up to sun down.