I honestly think what's in our heads---notions, for the most part---portend greater angle of influence than barrel lengths. I, too, was handed a XXV Churchill in Scotland and handed it back because it didn't feel right.

Like jack, I didn't know the barrel length until later. We use the guns that we shoot well and I've found that for grouse and ducks over decoys they're usually those with 26-inch barrels. To me, heresy. Notions die hard.