I had an A400 Xtreme Plus synthetic stock 3.5" shotgun with the kick-off right behind the pistol grip. Didn't think it was very good in reducing recoil with target loads. Sold the gun as it would not repeat my light 7/8 oz skeet loads and I wasn't a waterfowl hunter. My buddy's identical shotgun would shoot my light loads, but even after 700 rounds mine was still balky.
I bought an A400 Xcel Black Sporting 4 months ago. It has the kick-off between the wood stock and the recoil pad. It seems to absorb recoil much better than the Xtreme Plus did, probably a better tuned kick-off for target loads. It eats up all my light reloads...even a 3/4 oz load a friend made for skeet. The wood stock design on the Xcel is superior for no face slap my vs the synthetic stock on the Xtreme+. My two cents and recent experience.
I'm guessing the difference was that they have to put a much stronger spring in the 3.5" chambered guns. Trying to shoot light loads in one of those is asking for failure.
