Jim,
As I remember from the BH you're a longbow shooter, didn't even see you try out a recurve (ya should have tried the 52" Timberghost I had out there). IMO, the shorter longbows are slightly more critical of form errors than are recurves in general. I think recurve handle mass increases the stability factor, so there shouldn't be a huge change over issue. But as Shawn & the other guys noted, short recurves will let ya know when your form isn't right.
Re. finger pinch, I have 2 52inchers & I don't feel any pinch out to 29" either.
Brian was right on when he recommended that you get to a couple of the big shoots this spring & shoot as many as catch your eye. Also, if a couple guys go with you, you'll have a ball!
Larry