The pendulum never did swing too far in my safe. Still have a 25" Darne 12 that has brought scores of grouse to bag. My Remington model 17, with it's Baker choked 21" barrel did the same duty for perhaps two decades. The rest of the guns float between 26" on an Ithaca pump 12, 28" on the Tobin 16, 28" again on an Ithaca 16 pump, and a smattering of 28s" and 30s" on what remains.
The factors that control my shooting skill, or, lack there of, on other days, don't seem to be how long the barrel is-maybe how many fairies are dancing along it's length, but, not how long it is.
Best,
Ted