Some pros and cons of extended choke tubes include:
1) extended tubes are usually easier/faster to change (no wrench needed),
2) most extended tubes identify the choke/constriction on the exposed portion so you can see it while some flush tubes don't have notches to indicate choke constrictions,
3) extended tubes provide muzzle protection from possible muzzle damage (dint) that could make choke removal or instillation difficult,
4) extended tubes provide additional length which allows for the possibility of different choke geometry and design (ramp angle and length, choke angle and length, parallel section length, porting and endless marketing gimmicks) which may or may not provide improved performance,
5) extended tubes usually weigh more than flush tubes which may or may not be a good thing for your gun's balance,
6) some shooters think the extended tubes look cool and some like the uncluttered look of flush tubes, and
7) extended tubes are generally more expensive (the choke makers like that).

None of this means extended choke tubes work/perform "better" (whatever that means) than flush chokes. It really depends on what kind of performance you are needing/wanting from your chokes and loads for your type of hunting/shooting. However, if you aren't going to pattern them to find out how they really perform then it doesn't really matter, just use what you like.

 

MW, the extended chokes are nice if you intend to change out choke often such as during a sporting clays tournament between stations as they can be R & R by hand without a choke wrench.

Aside from that their only real benefit (and I own several) is that they look cool. The extra benefit of the ported extended chokes is that they look even cooler!

Get whichever one you like the looks of and if it is the ported one, order it. You will not miss the extra $20 but if you don't order it and want it, you may look back with regret that you didn't.

Good shooting!

 

Joe pretty much nailed it. I totally agree about the marketing gimmicks. Some extended chokes do also allow the use of steel or other hard shot without running the risk of damage to the gun, even in thinwall applications, because the choke is beyond the end of the barrel. Also, there is the perceived cool factor by some of having something glaringly obvious sticking out there. Kinda like those barrel decals to me.
I have an extended skeet choke that came with my 28 gauge. It is a contrasting color, and I don't see or notice it in use, but I have gotten several comments from others, so I would say the marketing folks are being successful. I bought a flush Full tube for hunting.
The advantages of flush tubes is they usually work just as well for less money, and they do not alter the lines of the gun.

 

Joe Hunter nailed the extended choke tube issue for you. My reply is regarding the claimed benefits of ported choke tubes.

I have found that porting generally makes shotguns louder and more difficult to clean. Before owning a ported shotgun, my oiled wipe down cloths I used to just wipe the gun down after shooting but before casing the gun, seemed to last forever. But with ported barrels those wipe down cloths get filthy fast, then you're just smearing the filth over the rest of the gun. Then when the gun is home and being cleaned, the porting is an additional cleaning detail.

I understand the theoretical benefit of barrel porting minimizing barrel jump between shots on true doubles. But not being a highly ranked competivie shooter engaged in big money shoots, that "benefit" does not provide enough return to justify the disadvantages for me. More importantly for you though, barrel porting and ported choke tubes are not an apples to apples comparison. Ported choke tubes are usually ported 360 degrees, while ported barrels are not. I doubt that ported choke tubes do anything to significantly minimize muzzle jump to the degree that barrel porting may.

Depending on the angles utilized to port the choke tubes, I suppose scientific arguments based on the laws of physics may be made to support a claimed benefit of lessened perceived recoil. However, if recoil is the issue, major and significant recoil reduction is realized by reloading the shells down in both the amount of shot thrown and the velocity of the shot as well, while yet remaining effective loads for clay birds.

Again, another gimmick from manufacturers to charge more money for ported choke tubes vs nonported tubes. Also, another reason to convince folks to put away their "paid for" choke tubes and spend more money for ported choke tubes.

Ported choke tubes do look cool though to many shooters. Hey, it's your money and you should get what you like. I was just trying to give you perhaps a fuller picture enabling you to make a good decision for you.

I personally do like the extended but not ported choke tubes, as they are much faster and easier to change out, without needing a choke tube wrench to do so.

 

Thank you all for your time!
I think I'll save a few more dollars up and get the Ported

another question:
I'm using this for skeet so what is the difference between the Improved cylinder and the dedicated skeet choke?

 

Beretta makes, or used to make, two skeet chokes. The American skeet coke has about five thousandths constriction, and the European none at all, or perhaps it's even belled out to a reverse constriction.

For Skeet, the difference between an IC choke and the wider spread of anything more open is measured in a few scant inches at twenty one yards, which is where the center stake is. Wider is better for skeet, but what really improves your scores is thousands and thousands of targets.

 

While I own and use both, the only REAL benefit that I cant attest to is that extended chokes protect your muzzle. On the negative side is that I spend lots of time checking them for tightness, as they seemingly work loose faster when I hand tighten them. Most of the time I still carry around a choke wrench just in case.

 

STOP YELLING YOU'RE HURTING MY EARS :!:

Most extended tubes get the constriction outside of the barrel...which is a good thing with steel or hard no-tox shot from Saturn that comes along on a regular basis....they are also easier to switch....Me I wouldn't get ported nuthin....some guns don't give you a choice about ported barrels...oh well.....but pay for stupid, loud, dirty, holes if I have a choice?....not.....
About "Skeet" choke...In a two shooter I find Skeet 1/Skeet 2, or "in and out" or Skeet/IC...the combination in general, something I like. But in a repeater I usually opt for I/C....though I'm just doin it for fun and practice not competition....Art

 

If you are using a Browning Invector plus. The Midas Extended chokes make a tighter pattern for the same choke designation of a flush Browning choke. This is as per the Browning literature.

 

skeet choke should make a pattern that is about 30" in diameter at 20 yards. a skeet choke should make a pattern that is about 25" i in diameter at 20 yards. so a skeet choke that is shooting true patterns gives you another 2 inches or so of slop on a target over a IC.

You actually have to shoot a pattern with the open chokes to see what they are doing. The total constriction is not much (.005") for some skeet chokes. How well the choke and choke skirt fit the bore make a big difference in how the choke shoots. The shells make a difference.

 

Thanks everyone for the advise.....

also: I did not know that Bold text meant you were yelling I thought that was only in all caps. sorry....

 

Thanks everyone for the advise.....

also: I did not know that Bold text meant you were yelling I thought that was only in all caps. sorry....

Not to worry, some folks get grumpy if you do a lot of anything that is not standard to the forum. Me too!

 

Extended chokes are USUALLY longer in OAL (unless they're Brileys or another custom job). This results in less shot deformation and much improved patterns with lead shot. With steel it doesn't matter because steel doesn't deform due to scrubbing, or when constricted by choke and/or FC's.

 

And nobody says anything to the guy who adds 7 or 8 line breaks before he starts typing, then 10 more, with random periods or slashes every other line?

 

And nobody says anything to the guy who adds 7 or 8 line breaks before he starts typing, then 10 more, with random periods or slashes every other line?

Your right.

As for the chokes. Extended chokes are easy to remove with out a wrench. But they can loosen up. were a flush choke will stay tight much longer.

I don't see and different in shooting one or the other beside looks.

 

STOP YELLING YOU'RE HURTING MY EARS :!:
Art

The only one that was yelling was you. Larger type are not caps. Caps that are used in your full statement is yelling.

 

They let you shoot 1" further? :wink:

The mains advangtage to me is two-fold:
a. Easy of Switching Chokes
b. Simply Protecting the Barrel

As for porting... I own ported and non-ported extended chokes of the same constriction (Briley) and to me the only difference I have noticed is the ported are a bit louder. No perceivable recoil reduction, no reduced muzzle jump, etc... The ported are a little tough to clean. Not ridiculous, but you'll definately want to buy some pipe cleaners!

 

I had the barrels of a long gone Beretta 686 SC Pro-ported at the Grand in Vandalia. Dropped it off and picked it up the next day! The decrease in muzzle flip was minimal, yet noticeable. I did not perceive a reduction in recoil. What I did hear from the guys I shot with was that my gun was loud. I've noticed that some ported guns seem loud and some do not. I'd have to guess it depends on the porting system. If you don't want to run the risk of being the guy with the obnoxiously loud gun then you might avoid ported barrels. With tubes the risk is somewhat less; you can sell them and recover most of your money. I think the conventional wisdom is that porting does not affect the value of a shotgun. While some might avoid a ported gun, others might view it as an enhancement.

I recently bought a handful of extended choke tubes.
I thought they would be easier to change but I still end up using my speed wrench.
I thought they would pattern better, but I haven't made an effort to confirm or deny that.
I think I really bought them to look cool at the club.
Before reading this thread it hadn't occurred to me that they protect the muzzle, which I think is a real benefit.
But most of all they look cool, and the ported ones look really cool.

 

The effect on the patterning may be real or merely perceived. As long as it doesn't make the pattern worse, that's a good thing. If you think you're shooting better with extended tubes, you just might.

I do like the potential real benefit of protecting the muzzle. I'm such a klutz that it's only a matter of time before I bang the muzzle on something. I might get a set just because of that that.

Speaking of which, I'm not a big fan of resting the barrel on my foot. With a break open gun that's broken open, it's not an unsafe act, but still, I don't like doing it. I've seen folks with foam pads that have either a short tube that sticks into the barrel or an embedded magnet to grab onto the barrel so you don't have to bend over to pick it up. I've searched the web for them, but I guess I'm not using the right search terms. What the heck are these things called and where do you get them?
<edit> Okay, nevermind. Found one. Too expensive! I think I'll try making one with a thin rubber disk, a fridge magnet, and some gorilla glue (love that stuff).

Thanks,

M'sP

 

Speaking of which, I'm not a big fan of resting the barrel on my foot. With a break open gun that's broken open, it's not an unsafe act, but still, I don't like doing it. I've seen folks with foam pads that have either a short tube that sticks into the barrel or an embedded magnet to grab onto the barrel so you don't have to bend over to pick it up. I've searched the web for them, but I guess I'm not using the right search terms. What the heck are these things called and where do you get them?
<edit> Okay, nevermind. Found one. Too expensive! I think I'll try making one with a thin rubber disk, a fridge magnet, and some gorilla glue (love that stuff).

Thanks,

M'sP

Buy it Now on Ebay for $6.99 HERE

 

Some folks say that extended ported chokes reduce recoil and muzzle jump by helping to disperse gasses on non-ported barrels.

 

I was thinking of going with 28" and just getting a 1-2 inch extended choke for it that way if its too long I can go flush. I shot a 30" and it just felt too long for me (maybe just in my head) Does the 2" extended choke bringing overall length to 30" perform the same as if the barrel was 30"?

 

I used to have an extended LM choke, but I came to THOROUGHLY dislike the appearance of a stainless steel tube extending an inch past my black barrel. It also added length, which I don't need when hiding from crows in the brush. I sold it to a friend, and will stick with flush tubes- they work fine and look nice. And I agree with whoever said they stay tighter longer.

 

Your constriction should be about as follows in 12 gauge....

.005"--Skeet/Skeet 1

.010"--Improved Cylinder

.015"--Skeet 2/Light Modified

 

You might want to give these a try!

http://www.gameacc.net/