Alrighty, here's the deal: I own three strats, all of which have a 25.5" scale length, a Les Paul that has a 24.75" scale length, and average-sized hands. Now, since I don't have large hands, I was sorta thinking that I would be more mobile/fluid and faster on the LP since it's a tad shorter & I would have less fretboard to cover (theoretically speaking). But nooooooo! Instead, I play much more naturally on my strats despite more fretboard. So I guess my basic question here is, what gives? What am I not understanding about this whole scale length/fretboard mobility thing? Any insight would be appreciated, but no making fun of my average-sized hands. Thanks.

Which did you have first? I was used to Gibsons for many years and had a difficult time getting used to Fender's 9.5" radius and narrower neck. Now I can switch back & forth without fumbling too much. There could be other reasons too (Maple fretboard vs. Rosewood and/or Ebony, Setup, string guage, and like you said scale length). Who set up your guitars? It'll probably just take time to get used to the Gibby, but if you get them set up with similar string action and string gauge, you'll probably have an easier time with playing.

Its not the scale length of a neck that make a difference its the radius and type of neck (v.c, ect)

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I have to mention that if you are a solo guitarrist you can stretch your fingers more comfortable on the frets closer to the headstock at least thats what happens to me when I play my 24 3/4 scale guitar.. but still I can play nice my strats... im talking about triads and sweep picking stuff on the frets closer to the headstock...

+1 on the neck radius and shape being the key. I had two PRS guitars, one with the wide-fat profile, the other had the wide-thin. Both have the same scale length but the wide-thin was much easier for me.

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2004 American Deluxe V-Neck Strat w/Kinman Blues
2007 American Deluxe Tele w/Kinman Broadcasters
Mesa Boogie Lonestar Classic 2X12
Fender Cyber-Twin SE

You don't always have more fretboard with a longer scale length. The scale length is the measure from the nut to the bridge saddle. Typically, the extra length is attained by placing the bridge farther back from the neck.

One thing that would make a difference on your playing would be the tension of the strings in different scale lengths. On 25.5" scales, the strings have higher tension, and this makes the strings stiffer to bend and play with. On the Gibson, 24.75" scale, the strings will feel easier to bend and such.
I prefer the bigger scale, I like the fight of the strings.

I'd have to agree with the radius and neck shape.

in my experiance The gibson necks are really chunky and slow, as well as being slightly narrower at the nut.

The fenders tend to be slightly wider but with a nicer neck shape, also a bonded fretboard Rosewood or ebony makes the neck that much more chunky, opposed to a maple board.

and of course the overall setup, string gauge and action

Wow! Great responses & very informative - thank you all. My Strats all have the C-shaped neck @ 9.5" radius, 2 rosewood & 1 maple fingerboard. The LP is the slim 60's tapered in rosewood, but I don't know about the radius. One thing I have noticed is that my Strats all appear to have unfinished necks, but the LP does not. As a result, it feels like there's more drag on my hand when playing the LP. The first response questioned how long I may have had my guitars, which is valid since I've had the Strats much longer than the LP. Hmmm, I hadn't really considered that angle, but it makes sense now. I guess the best solution is to keep playing them until I can't tell a difference - nothing wrong with that. Thanks again to everybody - you guys are the best! I'm gonna go play now.

I find the 12" radius necks on the Gibsons (all Gibsons have 12" radiuses) to be easier to bend notes and are as fast as the Fenders. The Strat necks are the skinny C-shaped necks, and cause more strain in my wrist. I have rosewood (1971) and ebony (1991) fingerboards on the Strats; the Gibsons also have rosewood (L6-S) and ebony (ES-347) fingerboards. The V-shaped Telecaster (maple fingerboard) and the Fat Gibson necks are much more comfortable for me. My hands aren't big; I wear a medium-large golf glove, and prefer a 7.5 hospital glove.

I still find the Fenders enjoyable to play, but the 9.5" radius is no big deal for me. The note bending ability is only slightly decreased in efficiency. And I'd rather play the blues on a Fender anyway. The Gibsons I save for jazz and rock.

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2007 Classic Player Baja Telecaster
1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp

Hospital gloves?

The fretboard IS longer

Size 8 in hospital gloves is a large hand. Mine is 7.5. I am a physician, specializing in radiology.

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2007 Classic Player Baja Telecaster
1991 Strat Ultra
1990 Gibson ES-347
1986 Yamaha SBG2100
1980 Gibson L6-S
1971 Stratocaster
Fender Stage Lead Combo
Marshall MOSFET 100 watt Amp

Ahh, the golden hammer concept.