[41magsnub]

I think I know the answer is no, but I'll ask anyway.

I bought a shotgun as a screaming deal from a guy at work who decided to quit hunting. The ultra liberal wife badgered him out of it. Not my business, but I got a cherry Winchester 1200 youth model with an adult stock on it. Best part is I also have a Winchester 120 youth that is the same shotgun. They are identical in every way except the wood and the stock length.

My "new" Winchester 1200 20 gauge has a 21" barrel with the winchoke system.

Use of the shotgun is buckshot for HD (exact type to be determined by patterning though likely #2), and upland game most likely with #6 shot. It might get used for waterfowl if I need a loaner gun, but I will use my wingmaster for that myself.

Other than balance and swing (which are fine) would there be any reason to go to a longer barrel? If so, would it make an appreciable enough difference to be worth doing?

[rcmodel]

Other than balance and swing, no.
Most people will probably kill more ducks with a longer barrel, but that is because in swings & points better, not because it shoots any harder or patterns any better with the proper choke.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[ArmedBear]

"Special Field" and "Upland Special" upland bird guns from Remington and Browning have had barrel lengths of 21-23" depending on the models -- on receiver guns, not break actions. The idea is to make the OAL and balance similar to 26" O/U or SxS shotguns, since a receiver gun is a few inches longer for a given barrel length.

Current BPS Upland Special has a 22" barrel, Remington 1100 Special Field guns were 21", and 11-87 Upland Specials were 23". Unfortunately, Remington doesn't make these guns any more.

For upland birds, you might really like it with a 21" barrel on it. OAL is what, about 41" or 42"? It should feel a lot like a 26" 12 Gauge O/U.

It's probably a great gun as-is.

[41magsnub]

That's what I thought, thanks guys!