[cmug870]

But they are on the wrong side, you would have to flip the gun over. If you are doing that then why not spend that time trying to stuff rounds into the gun. Maybe it is meant so that if the gun is sitting in a rack or something like that, then you could tell if it was loaded before you pick it up. And with a round like the Federals i use which are kinda dark purplish they would be hard to see. I guess the bright red and blue TAP rounds would be a must. I agree with the thought that it is a solution to a problem that doesn't need fixin.

 

[cmug870]

m24- ya they are like the Winchester super-x red slugs i have. And my PD132 Federal (what I currently have in my gun) is the same color as above.Now that I think about it more, I dont think any shell would be easy to see in a low light, high stress situation. I really think the holes only help if the gun in stored somewhere and you wanted to know if you are picking up a loaded gun(but even then you dont know if one is in the chamber).
Adioss- Your approach is different than mine. If you shoot your gun, you know that you need to reload, if there is a break in the fighting, just start adding shells to the tube with your left hand. Then one does not take their eyes off the threat. Worst case i have an extra shell in my left hand, i can cycle the fore end with one in my hand and if the fighting is done, I could just drop it on the floor or put it back on my gun. Think about what if you shoot someone and they fall, you look at/feel for shells in you mag tube, at that time the guy shoots at you from the floor (you would look like a good target with your gun not pointed at him and you looking away from your target).

 

[cmug870]

You started this thread with a question, asking if it would be a good idea to put holes in your mag tube. You have since spent the rest of the thread saying why it is the way to go. Nobody here is choosing our shells based on color, search the site for "Flightcontrol Wad" and you will see that it is nearly unanimous that this is the best patterning shell. I mentioned and sometimes use the Hornady TAP rounds because they have the same wad and tight patterns. Turn all your lights out in your place and throw some shells on the floor and see if they are easy to see.
And if you haven't shot a 3" shell yet, then try it and see if you really want to beat yourself up. I'm not saying that they are gonna break your shoulder, but I find it nice to have low recoil rounds to stay on target better. Also I was wondering what kind of shells you are talking about being 2.75" and 6 pellets and 9 with a 3". All of my 2.75" either has 8 (Remington low recoil TAC8), 9 (almost every other buckshot out there), and i have some 12 pellet magnum 2.75" Remingtons. If you need to go to a 3" to get 9 pellets I'm just confused. I think even the Federal 000 I have is 8 pellets.