2” difference on a repeating shotgun with a long 3.5” capable receiver makes no difference in swing from 28-26”. The 26” is gonna be 2” less to hang on crap or fit in a case or such, but on semis and pumps, it’d be hard to tell any other difference over 2”. For ducks and geese, I’ve gone as short as 24” and not noticed much (if any) difference in swing or balance. 24 vs 30/32, sure. Doubles are a different animal.
Maybe you can't, but many can! I have never had my barrel hung up in the duck blinds, goose pits, duck boats, layout boats, in the grouse woods, or anywhere else for that matter. I have never found it hard to put a gun no matter the length of the barrel "hard to put in a case".
