Orvis sold some 25" guns over the years and in actuality, they are probably the ideal for a roughed grouse hunter that is a danger to himself with a long barreled gun, tripping all over the woods.
I *Think* the stigma over 26" barrels in part comes from negative experiences being relayed. Many 28-29" guns have had dents at the muzzle resolved by cutting 'em down in length. Then you're left with a 26" with very little, very short chokes or no choke at all. Then they get backbored for a dubious attempt at choking the gun a bit. Some unlucky fellow gets one of these and curses short barreled guns the rest of his days.
Consider that the majority of drillings have 24" barrels and we realize that barrel length does not have a negative effect on hunting...only on perceptions in the mind. It is a preference and an aesthetic look more than anything.
I have 26" and 28" guns and only one 30". I can't imagine going any longer than 30" nor can I imagine less than 25". I hope to try the Churchill method with a XXV gun someday and see if I like it better.
