There is a lot more to overall gun dynamics than barrel length.

You can't tell how long the barrels are once the gun is on your shoulder.

My opinion is that one should carry the lightest weight gun that one can actually shoot well when the time comes.

Presumably, that's why you're going to all the effort.

The most important aspect is familiarity with the gun which means burning some powder preseason.

"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble