Hello all,
I have following this thread with some interest because I have wondered about the original question myself. Opinion wise,I am in the "whatever works for you section"
I personally have never felt comfortable shooting anything longer than 28 inches. I had a 30" 12 ga. Winchester model 24 and it felt like I was waiving around a 2x4. I feel most comfortable with a 26" sxs.
What I really wanted to add was, I recently fished out some old Outdoor Life mags, stored at my Mom's since High School. I was looking for any articles Jack O'Commor may have written during that time on Model 21's. What I found in the Sept. 67 issue was on "Guns and loads for upland game".
Guns Jack listed in the article he owned with 26" barrels:
1. Model 21 12 ga. 2 sets of barrels
2. His wife a Model 21 in 16 ga. 26" barrels
3. Model 21 in 20 ga. 26" barrles
4 Beretta Model SO3 12 ga. 26" barrels
5. Remington Model 11-48 28 ga. 26" barrels
6. Arizaga sxs 20 ga. 26" barrels
I'm sure he owned many other guns, he mentioned one Model 1100 with 30" barrels that weighted 8 lbs. and was too heavy to carry very far in the field.
I know what Jack O'Connor said affected me when I was young. The thing is, it either stuck or I just like it.
A quote from this article: "To me, the handsomest of all scatterguns is a 20 gauge sidelock double with 26 in. side by side barrels and a straight grip."
Thought some of you would appreciate the article.
Milton
