Hi, Al. The balance changed slightly on mine with the shorter barrel, niether better nor worse, just a little different. The accuracy stayed the same. Since there are shorter ones available, just buy one. The process of shortening the barrel is a little more than just chopping it off. You have to shorten the loading lever, cut new dovetails for the sight and loading lever latch and cut a new crown into the muzzle. Much easier to get one already done.