I would like to hear everyone's opinion on shotgun barrel length.
Let's assume that you have two shotgun's, same make, model and gauge.
IMO a shorter 22 or 24 barrel is handier than a longer 26 or 28 inch tube and will pattern just as well....what do you think?
Does barrel length matter in the field to Average Joe hunter.

It's not the length, it's how you use it!

I have a 21" Benelli Super 90 and a 30" Browning A-5, and handling-wise, I prefer the Benelli. Pattern-wise, there is no difference, but I do like the 30" for the longer sight plane and swing.

Longer barrels simply swing better, that is the only real advantage. My A-5 stalker has a 21 inch barrel and I like it.

Keep in mind a pump or semi auto with a shorter barrel is much like a break action with a longer barrel since they don't have an action. So my 21 inch browning is a lot like shooting a 30 inch break action gun.

Paul

If I'm hunting Quail, Snipe,Turkey or Rabbits, I prefer the 22". If I am pass shooting Doves or Ducks, I prefer the 28"....

always used 28" or 30" on my wing shootin guns...i agree, they wing better IMO.

for my turkey and now fur getter(predators) i love my 21" barrel on my 870.

though any wing shooting i do this year will be with it...either that or the old mossberg with a 28" but i am going to dedicate that a slug gun...my my 870 will stay turkeys and predators and buy a nice semi or o/u next year for my wing shooting needs...

popeye used to be..... the longer the more accurate.....what happened to that?

One other thing to consider...My Remington 1100 slug gun has a 21 inch barrel, without ear protection that thing is sure loud....It makes a heck of a short range quail, dove, wood duck and jump shooting rabbit gun though...

Nope. The only difference is smoothness of swing. Which if you like shorter barrels, can be changed with weights. Choke tubes took care of the length issue.

I recently purchased a Mossberg 835 Turkey gun that has a 20" barrel which came with an xfactor turkey choke. I was planning on purchasing a longer barrel, possibly a 26 or 28" VRto hunt small game etc, but I was wondering if I might be able to get by with the20"VR barrel, andjust usea modified choke tube in it, rather thanpurchasing aseparate barrel?