I just got back from 2 weeks in northern MI hunting grouse & woodcock. I shot a 29" bbl 6 lb. 16 ga for the bulk of the trip but switched to my 26" bbl 6 1/2 lb 12 ga. "rain gun" for the last 2 days. In the thick popple the my ability to swing was restricted equally with either gun. The 3" difference in bbl length made absolutely no difference & you are going to hit the bbls against popple with either length. The 26" 6 1/2 lb 12 was a little quicker to the shot & easier to carry one handed than the lighter 16 because the balance point is closer to the trigger than on the 16. In my opinion balance makes more difference than a few ounces of weight on how a gun carries until you get to 3/4 lb or so in weight disparity.
