Barrel length in 22 in or 24 inch is preferred, just like the originals. I have 4 original 1886 smokeless rifles from 1910 on, including 3 in 33 WCF and one in 45-70.
Any weight or supposed handing advantages are lost to an un-needed safety and very poor trigger. You are almost better off with an early Browning copy.
Short barrels in bear country are a losing proposition. The longer balanced barrel aids in cycling the action lever and it adds 150 fps to velocity.
