When I started shooting vintage sxs in the mid 1980's, 26" barrels were the rage. Probably because upland game like grouse were still plentiful through out the eastern US, especially in the Appalachians. I"ve never hunted waterfowl. Sporting clays was just getting started. Hate to say it, but I turned down some nice guns, cause I didnt want those damn 30' barrels. With the decline of upland opportunities, and the popularity of SC, long barrels became popular. And I've changed my mind also, now I love long barrels, and have found that they are no hindrence at all while grouse hunting. I have 2 20 ga hammer guns, 1 16 hammer, and 1 12 hammer with 30" barrels that I love to carry now( sadly, none are Parkers). I still carry and shoot my 26" DHE 16, VHE and VH 20's, and wont be getting rid of them anytime soon.
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"How kind it is that most of us will never know when we have fired our last shot"--Nash Buckingham
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