GPJ1234,,,

There are 12 gauges and then there are other 12 gauges.
The term "heavy" may mean one thing to one person and a different thing to another.

My 9 pound .45-70 double was made on a 12 ga Beretta GR2 action and even with 26 inch barrels it is not heavy to me. To me it is well balanced and graceful with negligible recoil.

It is a bit more slender than my 9.5 pound .405 double which was made on a Simson Suhl 12 gauge action. That gun is also well balanced and almost shoots itself (like any good shotgun should).

The weight and design of both these rifles make them easy to shoot from the bench and fun to hunt with.

And lastly, the only advice that I dare to give to Lucas is to keep shopping around and researching options until you find what you like. Here is an interesting rising block double rifle made by Bradshaw here in Texas: http://www.bradshawgunandrifle.com/rising-block-double-rifle.html