Do ported choke tubes really reduce recoil or muzzle climb? I’m wondering if there would be much benefit if I went to ported chokes versus the standard chokes that came with the gun. Are they worth the extra money? Thank you.
There is a fair amount of debate on this topic, as recoil is a complicated phenomenon that can be affected by a variety of factors, including the weight and construction of the firearm, the type and weight of the ammunition, and even the weather. However, many shooters believe that ported choke tubes do reduce recoil.
One theory is that the ports allow some of the gas to escape from behind the projectile as it leaves the barrel, which reduces the recoil impulse. Another theory is that the ports create a more uniform pressure distribution throughout the barrel, which helps to mitigate recoil. However, there is no definitive proof that either of these theories is correct.
At any rate, if you are someone who finds recoil to be a problem, or if you simply want to experiment with different ways to reduce recoil, ported choke tubes are worth a try. Just be aware that they may not do anything to reduce recoil, and they may even increase the amount of muzzle rise and noise.