For some shooters the LOP, DAC, DAH, Barrel length, etc. are considerations when getting a gun fitted or buying a new one.
Iam ainstinct shooter, so having everything exact does not matter to me. However, a gun that fits and feels good is a must.
(Example) It is hard for me to shoot a youth model. The LOP is way too short.A trap gun would be hard to shoot crossing or incoming targets, your head is up too far.
Other than that if you keep your head down and keep swinging you should be succesful with any gun as long as you have confidence in the gun and your shooting ability.

I have both a 26 and 28 inch barrel for my Browning B-80...A longer barrel helps you with pass shooting, the added weight out front keeps you swinging through the target after you pull the trigger....

I use the 26 inch barrel for close in shooting like quail, rabbits being run by begals, and doves that are coming in to corn, sunflowers, in other words, situations where an Improved Cylinder choke is your best choice because the shots are close and some shootinng is spot shooting...

I use the 28 inch for pass shooting crows, ducks. doves in the late season, deer with buckshot and in these cases I usually have a Modified choke in the barrel...

I find that I can shoulder and get on the birds (whether geese, ducks, grouse, pheasant, etc.) with a 26".... If your not swinging through properly, that's more of a shooter form issue...

IMO......For quail and rabbits, where shooting is at close range and in brushy country, the cylinder choke is best. Usually, a barrel length of 26 inches serves well with this choke. For shooting pheasants, waterfowl, grouse, and other game at long ranges, the full choke barrel works more successfully, and barrel lengths of 28 or 30 inches are recommended. Actually, a longer barrel does not give a hunter much additional killing range, but it does make sighting easier.

Think we'll have to agree to dis-agree

Years ago I hunted with longer barrels (28 and even 30 ")! I've found that since the introduction of steel shot and other lead alternatives that the longer barrel doesn't have ANY real advantage for upland game or waterfowl. If your shooting a lot of lead, that may be different. I shoot steel for pretty much everything, because where I hunt, that's the law (minus shooting some clays or something like that).

Simply put, for me, the 26" is easier to swing, shoulder, and get on target.

Maybe it's just the group's that I hunt with, but most of us shoot 26" barrels now as our primary guns for everything (upland game and waterfowl).

At the end of the day 26 or 28 .... Doesn't really matter, it's just what your most comfortable with...

Okay so I got the gun today, it's a 26 inch, but I cant get off the magazine spring retainer, so I can put the Magazine Plig in, can somone help me out?

Don't know, mine came with my Remington chokes, it's got a swivel handle and it has 4 teeth, so if yours is near the same it'd prob work, as long as the gauge is the same, i'm sure it is. Post a pic so I can have a look at it if possible but go ahead and try it

get the 28 inch barrel like HOG said.
it swings and balances better.
i hunt brushy thick stuff with beretta uricka 28 inch and its fine.

i tried the 26 inch and it does not SWING or balance right...
2 inchs more does not add any weight t
hat you notice,so why not get it..
you wont be sorry..

+1

If your 870 is like mine then the spring retainer can be removed with a pair of needle nose pliers and replaced simply by pushing it back in place. Be ready when you remove the retainer because the spring will be coming at you fast. I personally simply put a pencil in the hole to plug my magazine but it is not completely legal in TX since tools are not required to remove the plug. I have a 26 inch and love it.