i have always liked the lighter shorter barrel especially since the technical writers have proved that the longer barrel has no advantage over the shorter one as long has you have a screw in choke.with that being said,i have hunted with a rem 870 exp super mag with a 26" barrel and extended turkey tube.however,with the tube, the barrel is closer to 28" long.this is too long to suit me to turkey hunt.i had a browing A500G with a 28" barrel that was close to 30" with the tube so i sent the barrel to carlson's chokes and had it cut down to 22" and a .670 dia. tube installed for #4 shot.i now have the ideal gun to turkey hunt with.the patterns at 45 yards with federal prem and rem hevishot are more than adequete.it is just a matter of individual preference.in thick stuff in river bottoms where i hunt,the short barrel is easier to get around and handle.