I set my m2 12ga up with a 21" barrel. Took me forever to find that barrel. It patterned as well as the 26" barrel on my SBE II, so no sacrifice there, and it was lighter, and much easier to maneuver around the woods. Shorter is better for a turkey gun as far as I'm concerned. With todays chokes and loads, you're not giving anything up in the way of patterns.