“If you’re into starting ugly debates online, go to a shotgun forum and ask which barrel length is best. Of all the contentious topics in the world of firearms, this one elicits some of the most ferocious and deeply divided responses.
It seems at choosing the right barrel length for your shotgun should be a pretty simple decision—far simpler than, say, the nuanced sciences of choke selection or the proper shot size for hunting game. But the barrel battle still wages. So, what’s the truth?
First, let’s outline the parameters of the shotgun barrels in question. Let’s leave out the really short self-defense and law enforcement barrels. We’ll also avoid the other end of the spectrum: the 32- and 34-inch barrels worn by some competition guns.
So if you’re looking for a field gun that doubles as a clay crusher in the summer, just how much pipe do you need? There are several determining factors.
Balance, Swing, and Handling
It seems that there’s some sorcery to finding a gun with great balance—the shotgun-barrel combo that is the perfect weapon in your seek-and-destroy mission against 108mm clay targets. But the mythology surrounding shotgun handling is largely that—more a result of the shooter’s perception than actual measurable qualities of the gun itself.
“People commenting on ‘swing’ will most certainly provide gibberish for answers, as swing is about feel,” says Dave Miles, director of marketing at Mossberg. “Simply put: Longer, heavier barrels will swing smoother, while shorter, lighter barrels will be more maneuverable but will not offer the same ‘swing,’ or momentum, that a heavier barrel has.”
“Swing is controlled by the center of gravity of the shotgun and is a feel rather than a scientific entity,” says Mossberg senior design engineer Tim Blazek. “Swing is affected by the combination of barrel length, barrel contour, choke style (extended or flush), receiver material, action type, stock and forearm density, rib style, and more.”
There are some measurable facts in regard to balance and handling, though. The same gun, with a longer barrel, will have more weight at the muzzle. This, in turn, changes the balance point, moving it farther ahead of the action. That weight-forward bias smooths the swing.”
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By Brad Fitzpatrick
