Removable choke tubes

**4V50 Gary** · September 27, 2022, 05:21 PM

I have installed choke tubes before but haven't done it for many years. Was going through Brownells and noticed that all the new choke tubes appear to protrude outside of the muzzle; effectively extending the barrel.

Since when did this become the fashion? I think it's ugly myself but what do I know?

Virginian · September 27, 2022, 08:24 PM

Makes them easier to change on a Sporting course. Most everything is available flush or extended.

FITASC · September 28, 2022, 08:22 AM

Extended chokes have been around since the beginning or so. I much prefer them as I do not need a wrench to tighten them or check them to see what choke is in there. The only time I think they are ugly is on a SxS; just doesn't look right to me. While I actually prefer fixed chokes, if my gun has choke tubes, they will be extended.

bamaranger · October 5, 2022, 08:34 PM

I think their unsightly too. Also, I have read that on some double guns, the knurling and dia of extended tubes conflict with each other and the long tubes cannot be used.

FITASC · October 5, 2022, 09:16 PM

Never had that issue with an O/Us I have. They are handy if you are limited to a few guns that means you need to make them more versatile

**44 AMP** · October 6, 2022, 04:06 PM

The extended portion of the choke tube is for better leverage, or using a spanner wrench, and so does not need the "wrench slots" cut into the tube body the way flush, completely internal tubes do.

Be aware that if the tubes are left in place over a large amount of rounds, they can become "hammer welded" to the barrel and more difficult to remove. Same applies if the gun gets rusty. They should still be able to be removed with the correct tools but you might not be able to do that by hand, alone.

**4V50 Gary** · October 9, 2022, 10:50 AM

Thanks guys. I need to crawl out from beneath my rock more often.

FITASC · October 9, 2022, 01:06 PM

Choke tubes need to be cleaned and reinserted with either grease or oil on the threads and body to ensure they do not become rusted in places. Grease also does a good job of keeping them snug while in place. Worst case scenario I had needed white teflon thread tape to keep the choke snug. If you are shooting a lot, like 100 sporting targets or several rounds of trap/skeet, the extended choke allows to give a quick snug check to make sure it is properly tightened - otherwise, if it works loose, it can downrange with possibly part of your barrel - not good

September 27, 2022, 05:21 PM	#1
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Removable choke tubes I have installed choke tubes before but haven't done it for many years. Was going through Brownells and noticed that all the new choke tubes appear to protrude outside of the muzzle; effectively extending the barrel. Since when did this become the fashion? I think it's ugly myself but what do I know? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 27, 2022, 08:24 PM	#2
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	Makes them easier to change on a Sporting course. Most everything is available flush or extended. __________________ What could have happened... did.

September 28, 2022, 08:22 AM	#3
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Extended chokes have been around since the beginning or so. I much prefer them as I do not need a wrench to tighten them or check them to see what choke is in there. The only time I think they are ugly is on a SxS; just doesn't look right to me. While I actually prefer fixed chokes, if my gun has choke tubes, they will be extended. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 5, 2022, 08:34 PM	#4
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	ugly I think their unsightly too. Also, I have read that on some double guns, the knurling and dia of extended tubes conflict with each other and the long tubes cannot be used.

October 5, 2022, 09:16 PM	#5
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Never had that issue with an O/Us I have. They are handy if you are limited to a few guns that means you need to make them more versatile __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 6, 2022, 04:06 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,833	The extended portion of the choke tube is for better leverage, or using a spanner wrench, and so does not need the "wrench slots" cut into the tube body the way flush, completely internal tubes do. Be aware that if the tubes are left in place over a large amount of rounds, they can become "hammer welded" to the barrel and more difficult to remove. Same applies if the gun gets rusty. They should still be able to be removed with the correct tools but you might not be able to do that by hand, alone. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 9, 2022, 10:50 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Thanks guys. I need to crawl out from beneath my rock more often. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 9, 2022, 01:06 PM	#8
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Choke tubes need to be cleaned and reinserted with either grease or oil on the threads and body to ensure they do not become rusted in places. Grease also does a good job of keeping them snug while in place. Worst case scenario I had needed white teflon thread tape to keep the choke snug. If you are shooting a lot, like 100 sporting targets or several rounds of trap/skeet, the extended choke allows to give a quick snug check to make sure it is properly tightened - otherwise, if it works loose, it can downrange with possibly part of your barrel - not good __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa