barrel length

Question
Sid,
First let me thank you for your response to my question on shotguns dated 11-6-2006.   Your thoughts were very helpful.  In my original question I forget to ask you what barrel length you would recommend for waterfowl hunting.  I have noticed that most guns for this type of hunting come  26" or 28".  Is there really that much of a difference between these two lengths?  Does one pattern better or have a little longer reach?  If it matters I think I am leaning towards the Beretta Xtrema-2 KO

Thanks again
Frank

Answer
Hi again Frank,

I'm glad that I was able to help you out.

In regards to barrel length for a "duck gun" I personally don't get too hung up on the issue except to report that most often the shorter barrel length is easier to handle in the blind.

For all practical purposes you are not going to notice any significant difference as to a better pattern etc. Do not worry yourself about any benefit of extended range by going to a 2" longer barrel. It is nothing more than an academic issue.

Purchase what fits YOU the best and that which seems the most comfortable to handle overall. My guess is that you'll probably like the shorter barrel version but don't make that decision based upon pattern or longer reach. They are non-issues.

Some people report a preference for the longer barrels because they like the longer sighting radius. Personally I've never noticed any advantage.

Based upon our exchanges here, I would probably be leaning towards the Beretta Xtrema-2 KO too. Just keep in mind that you have to pay a bit more attention overall to keeping the gas system clean. If you use common sense in that regard, you'll no doubt have 100% reliability with the Beretta.

Thanks for the question Frank and hunt safe.
Sid Lark