Firearms Stack Exchange Archive
What is a vent rib barrel?
- posted by: Jeff on 2011-11-02
- tagged:
shotguns,barrel,terminology - score: 4
Some shotguns have a vent rib barrel. What does this mean, and what are the pros and cons of this type of barrel?
Answer 222
- posted by: Bryson on 2011-11-02
- score: 5
A vent rib barrel has a narrow, flat rib running down the length of the barrel, to which the sights are attached. Usually a bead sight. These barrels are designed to help disperse the mirage effect that can come from a hot barrel, hence the vent name.
It is also designed to give the eye a “runway” for use when quickly bringing the shotgun up to point at a target (clay, bird, etc.), giving the eye something to stand out against the plain surface of the barrel and lead it naturally down to the sight.
In the image below from Remington’s online store, you can see the rib running along the top of the barrel with the bead sight at its tip.
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