I have a shotgun. It's a Mossberg, Model 500A. She's a 12 gauge. She came with a 28 inch barrel and a 18.5 barrel. I've shot the gun with both. I am not sure why people are so infatuated with shot barreled shotguns. They kick like mules and the recoil causes muzzle jump like you wouldn't believe.
In patterns with any kind of shot and with any kind of choke much better with the longer barrel. Trap/skeet is much, much easier with the longer barrel. Water fowl hunting will show you longer is better.
Endless debates rage about what barrel length is best. There is no clear answer, but I feel longer ones are more useful, overall. You won't see true hunters out in the field with a "security" shotgun. Newbies, might, but those in the know, bring the right weapon with the right hunting weapon..
Now, for home defense, the shorter barrel is superior, for easing around corners and doorways, but for anything else, go long.
