Balance does matter as well, as our forefathers figured out.
I bought an 1895 Marlin Cowboy with a 26" barrel, on the recommendation of an owner in another forum. He said that you hardly notice the extra weight from the longer barrel.
He was right. Because the octagon barrel is a light sporting width, and not a heavy width, and because it tapers from breech to muzzle, it balances very well and does not seem heavy at all.
