[mudpack]

My duck guns wear 26/27 inch barrrels because they work better for the way I hunt waterfowl.
My target autoloaders wear 30" barrels and my target O/U's wear 32" barrels.

For all-around use, the 28 incher would probably suit you best.

 

[mudpack]

I'm with HNT on the importance of feel. I want my guns to feel alive in hand, a part of me. Which is more a matter of balance than weight, so the longer, heavier barrel may well feel better as I bring it to bear than a shorter one - or not.

But it could well be that the addition of an extended choke could change that dynamic. Don't know, never fooled with one.

I've found that the addition of a fraction of an ounce of choke tube (or even two choke tubes) beyond the muzzle does not change the "feel" of any of my shotguns.

 

[mudpack]

I just bought a sx4 with a 28” barrel. I have always preferred a 26” but the 28” swings and points just fine. I have a benelli m2 with a 26” and that thing is super nimble.

I agree that two inches of barrel length, more or less, makes little difference in the way my shotguns feel or swing.
Where it does make a difference is when hanging up on brush, limbs, cattails, bulrush, tules, etc. begins to be a problem. In those cases, the loss of even two inches is noticeable (to me, anyway).
Hunting out of a layout blind/boat is a prime example.

 

[mudpack]

That's just silly.

And why is it silly?

Rick, I think you'd disagree with me if I said you were a good duck hunter.

 

[mudpack]

It's silly, because real world experience has shown it so.

Who's real world experience? Yours??

I know it's hard for you to believe, but you are not the only duck hunter on this forum.

I imagine I've been hunting ducks AT LEAST as long as you have, possibly have as many days devoted to that sport....maybe more.

 

[mudpack]

I was about 14 when I went on my first duck hunt, 13 when I went on my first goose hunt.
Don't care if you believe why I prefer a 26" barrel over a longer one. If you've never hunted in heavy cattails or out of a grassed-up layout blind, you may not understand what I'm describing. Those who have know what I'm talking about.

 

[mudpack]

You da' man.