barrels
I believe you need to rethink your definition of "general use". Your longer vent rib barrel is actually intended for multiple use at its present length. The shorter barrels you seem inclined to prefer are actually special purpose.
A 20" pump shotgun barrel is typically considered "short", and 18" is the shortest you can purchase and not need special paperwork and fees. Tubes that length (18-20") are intended for HD and slug shooting at big game like deer. Short stubby tubes are usually considered special purpose barrels by shotgun folk.
Your longer vent rib barrel is likely 26-28" , that is the typical lengths for a "general purpose" field/sport barrel. The shotgun in its simple form is primarily intended for moving targets with fur or feathers or sport shooting at clay birds There are some advantages for those longer barrel lengths. For one, the longer vent rib draws the eye (or is supposed to) and helps track moving targets, be it game or clay birds. The added weight of a longer tube helps with swing and follow thru, essential components of good shotgun shooting at moving targets as well. Sounds to me like you are more in the market for a short 18-20" barrel, ie a special purpose barrel.
I'll add that a 24" Mossberg here serves both roles pretty well,but I do not know if Remington sells such a barrel length for the 870. Also, we have not discussed the whole issue of "choke", which is an issue that needs to be decided with your purchase.
"Plinking" with a shotgun is a sort of contradiction in terms. If by "range use" you mean clay birds, the GP 26-28" tubes will be a plus.