| | 
| 
 
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |  
|  |  |  | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |  
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |  
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |  
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |  
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |  | 
 |  
| 
	
 
| 2 members (oskar, 1 invisible),
757
guests, and 
5
robots. |  
| 
	Key:
	Admin,
	Global Mod,
	Mod
 | 
 |  
| 
 
| Forums10 Topics39,553 Posts562,674 Members14,593 |  | Most Online9,918Jul 28th, 2025
 | 
 | 
 
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 447 Sidelock |  
| OP   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 447 | 
I'm looking at a SxS 12ga (mostly for clays) but it has a raised vented rib. Some have commented they strongly disliked it - I'm assuming mostly for looks. 
 I don't mind it, but just thought I'd see if anyone else has them and actually finds them helpful in shooting and even likes their looks. I've never owned a sxs with them, but remember seeing them in Win 21's sometimes.
 
 Pix would be great if possible! Thanks.
 |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Jul 2008 Posts: 1,008 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jul 2008 Posts: 1,008 | 
Wouldn't touch one with a barge-pole just because i think they're friggin' ugly. |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 11,574 Likes: 167 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jan 2002 Posts: 11,574 Likes: 167 | 
Mostly for clays, nothing wrong with a raised vent rib.  Most guys who hunt with sxs don't like them, because they're not found on classic game guns. |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Dec 2006 Posts: 3,344 Likes: 379 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2006 Posts: 3,344 Likes: 379 | 
Hi, I had one (my son has it now)with a vent rib.  It is a 20ga AyA Matador III.  The rib is not high, but a lower type.  It does not detract from the looks of the gun.  In fact, it does not look bad at all.
 As to an aid in shooting, I don't think they are any better or worse than anyother type of rib.  Besides, you should be looking at the bird/clay, not the rib.
 
 Anyway, just a matter of personal taste IMO.
 
 Best of luck to you!
 
 Greg
 
 Gregory J. Westberg
 MSG, USA
 Ret
 |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Jul 2005 Posts: 7,065 Likes: 1 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jul 2005 Posts: 7,065 Likes: 1 | 
In Winchester 21s, Ithacas, and Parkers factory ventilated ribs add a lot of money to the value.  On Spanish sidelocks they are less desirable I think.  But if you like the gun what does it matter what I think?
 I do think I can shoot a SxS with a tall ventilated rib better than one with a rib that droops between the muzzle ends (everthing else being equal).  I think it is because I can see more sky with my right eye.
 
 Best,
 
 Mike
 
 
 I am glad to be here.
 |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Mar 2011 Posts: 3,030 Likes: 127 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Mar 2011 Posts: 3,030 Likes: 127 | 
I think a vent rib actually improves the looks of a Model 21 Winchester and it certainly improves their value especially in smallbores if factory. On a game gun I would prefer a solid rib due to seeds, sticks, etc getting stuck in the ribs but on a target gun I would prefer a vent due to 'heat wave' effect with repetitive shooting. 
 Socialism is almost the worst.
 |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Jun 2008 Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Jun 2008 Posts: 5,696 Likes: 226 | 
You might as well ask which are better, Red Heads, Blonds, or Brunettes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!To each his own
 
 
USAF RET 1971-95  ![[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]](http://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/57865_80x60.jpg)  |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Oct 2004 Posts: 1,064 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Oct 2004 Posts: 1,064 |  |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 3,553 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Dec 2001 Posts: 3,553 | 
The first Gun I ever bought & kept was from lovely , brave old Bill Wise, bless him!It was a beast of a 1926 VL&D Francotte 25e, 32" bbls, pistol grip & had a lovely vent' rib,a pretty serious 8 & 3/4lb pigeon gun in 90+
 something % condition.
 It was too much gun for me, but it looked pretty damn good.
 I wish I still had it
 franc
 |  |  |  
| 
| 
|  |  
| 
Joined:  Feb 2002 Posts: 3,205 Sidelock |  
|   Sidelock 
 Joined:  Feb 2002 Posts: 3,205 | 
You might as well ask which are better, Red Heads, Blonds, or Brunettes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!To each his own
Auburn Red. 
 Ole Cowboy
 |  |  |  
 | 
 |