I dont believe it makes a hill of beans difference. I shoot a 30" gun. I have a SBE with 28, had a 26 in the past. All shot just fine. I dont see any dif at all in the swing from length. But thats me. I think you will like either.
www.benelliusa.com
Thanks for the info. I don't want the featherweight though, just the regular silver which only comes in a 28 inch.Montefeltro Silver Featherweight Shotguns | Benelli Shotguns and Rifles
The Benelli website shows a model #10818 Montefeltro Silver Featherweight 12ga with a 26” barrel. I looked at 4-5 online gun shops and they do show it in a 26”. However, they were all out of stock although a couple will back order for you.
The 28” will give you a longer sight radius which is generally thought of as an advantage is some cases. That’s why there are 30” and 32” trap guns.
The 2” difference shouldn’t affect balance much but as you say the 26” may handle a bit quicker to the bird. The old quail gun duck gun difference.
The 28” is a bit more cumbersome in and out of the pickup seats if you travel with guns inside.
The 12ga 28” Silver is 49.5” overall. My SKB O/U with 28” barrels is 44.5”. So it would appear the semi-auto action adds about 3” compared to an O/U; I’ve never felt my O/U sight radius was too short. Personally in a S/A, I’d prefer the 26” too. Even a 24” would work for me.
I’d back order and get what I wanted if it were me.
I wanted to be able to put 5 rounds in the chamber and I am sure less recoil with the normal weight silver.
You don't need a 28" but it really boils down to individual preference. As someone said above, the receiver on these guns is fairly long so the sight plain on the 26" is plenty long. I had a regular 12 ga. Montefeltro with a 24" barrel back when they were making them in that length and loved it. Great balance and easy swinging. A 26" Monte would probably be about the same as a 30-32" over/under. However, your dilemma is the Silver doesn't come in 26". Have you considered a standard Montefeltro since they do come in 26"? Save you a little money too.
Good point on the 5 rounds. Made me look at the 20ga Standard and Featherlight. In the Standard for just an additional .3 pounds I'd get 2 more rounds in the magazine. It would be a 26" vs 24" but that's ok.
I have a regular 20 gauge Monte with a 26 and love it. I just didn't want 2 guns that look exactly the same.
Don’t tell her…
At 75 I've started to thin out the gun cabinet. I've sold some and given my grandson a couple. Think I only have one or two left that I haven't used in years.
