An interesting topic to say the least.
Having had several years of experience shooting multiple configurations of these guns, I would have to say that they are way more "specialized" then many are led to believe.
My primary hunting conditions with these guns were off the Southern California coast. Personally I found that the these were the ideal conditions for a hybrid gun in the shorter lengths (42-52.5") where dirty water combined with limited visibility and heavy cover demanded a fast swinging gun.
Fast swing can be a relative term though. I feel that manuverabilty is a much better term. Obviously the longer the gun and the pivot point on the gun (the handle) how the gun is handled, carried, aimed, etc. have a much bigger impact than a streamlined front end.
Most of these design aspects have much more to do with personal preference than what someone tells you that something should be.
My best advice to anyone considering a hybrid would be to spend some time hunting with one before commiting to having one custom built. This is the only true measure of how they will perform.
In an overall analysis of a hybrid, my biggest critique of them would be, that unless they are finely tuned, the balance of the gun is almost impossible to make "just right". Any changes made to the gun will affect the characteristics in some way, shape or fashion.
Close shots are not affected so much as long-range precision shots. I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with ANY hybrid I owned past 10-12' from the tip of the shaft. For longer range shots, I prefer a rear handled gun in wood or pipe that is perfectly balanced or very slightly nose heavy. Think of it in terms of trying to hit a target with a pistol at 100 yds vs. hitting the same target with a rifle. A difficult thing to do on a hybrid unless it has a short overall length with a mid-handle, making it easier to manage.
Just my dos centavos
