Dick brings up a good point. An idealized trap or sporting clays gun will be vastly different in weight and length than a quail gun, even in the same gauge.
When I was serious about sporting clays, I went thru a lot of guns, ending with a 12g, 32" barreled, 7 3/4 lb, screw-choked, o/u. Upon realizing that I was never going to be the next George Digweed, I bought a 20g, 32", 7 lb, screw-choked, o/u and sold the 12g after it sat unfired for several years. Neither of those guns would be worth lugging around in the field for quail, regardless of dog.
Today, my ideal quail gun is a 5 3/4 lb, mod/cyl choked, 28", .410, sxs over my close hunting Lab. Next year, I should have a well trained pointer and I should be able to gun down to a 2 lb, .22, with birdshot spreaders in a cylinder bore.
