James , Good to see you posting again! We have the same taste in bird guns! 26" barrels and light weight! Poking is the way i shoot quail and a 28" side b side feels too long. I have carried 26" guns so many miles, just use to them! In a dove field 28" or longer is my choice. I had a grade 3 20 gauge 21 with pad and 28" barrels and it weighted 6 lbs 10 ounces. Tony owns it now. The one you have sounds like a keeper! Bobby