A shorter barrel has advantages and disadvantages, but in my eyes a shorter barrel is the way to go. With todays chokes a shorter barrel will shoot just as tight of groups as a long barrel. Only problem is that they are a little harder to aim so, most go with a double bead or an after market sight. The shorter barrel will make your gun lighter so recoil may be increased a little bit, but probably wont even be noticable. It will however make the gun much easier to swing and move around in the woods especially in tight spots.