Smooth or Rifled? Im not convinced one is really better OR more correct than the other, especially if we leave any notion of competition in the dust

Yes Id prefer a side or underlever; but I wont rule out a top lever, if an appropriate donner ever becomes available. I suspect if in some alternative world we still had the "need" for Howdah guns, that a top lever or long/straight lock OR EVEN a Hammerless action (Heaven forbid) would be accepted if not embraced.

Here in the US larger than 50 caliber has some issues and shotguns being shortened to less than 18" barrels and OAL less than 26" can be done but it involves some paperwork, a tax of $200 and a 6 month delay. After all that, there are restrictions on moving it from state to state even for a short hunting trip. Soooo its do-able but os it worth the effort IDK