Paul,
To each his own.
I happen to like the short barreled lever guns, AKA Trappers.
Have had two cut down. An 1895 Marlin XLR 54-70, cut to 17" and a 92 clone in .45 Colt, cut to 16"
These for me, are really handy to pack, and point FAST for "brush" hunting.
Myself, I don't care for the big loop levers either.
Virgil B.