Since 1954 I have not been without a SxS having two triggers & a splinter forearm. I have had forearms with snap off, Purdey style, Deely & push button releases. I like the Lefever push button or Deely lever best but that is not truly a deciding factor. I prefer 28 " barrels but have shot from 26" to 32". I have used several guns with 26" barrels & did not find them a handicap in any way. Have only shot two guns with 32" barrels, both 10 gauge. On is a very early Lefever side pivot top lever gun (3" chambers) which I only shot, did not take hunting, it weighs an even 10 lbs. The other was a Spanish made 3 1/2" magnum which belonged to my Father-in-law.He had carried me goose hunting on a public grounds next to a national wildlife reserve in Southern IL. We only had one flight come over low enough to shoot at & I was able to pull one big Canadian down with two shots fired.
Lightest shotgun I can recall shooting was a single barrel small frame H&R 28 gauge, weighed 4 lb 2 oz. My personal best shooting has been in guns weighing from 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 lbs, so for my use see little need for any gauges other than the 16 & 12.
