While I think the need for anti-glare matting is not high, it does have advantages as I found out in a trap shoot with a sxs that had no matting. The shooting had to arranged so we faced the sun, although it was high in the sky. Still, I got the worst glare I've ever seen off the rib and it cost me some birds. That experience could very well be replicated in hunting conditions with that gun. I favor a good matting on the rib. But, honestly, this is where a sxs has a distinct disadvantage to a O/U or single barrel gun with a matted rib. My recollection is that the glare on the barrels themselves was significant too.
Obviously a problem recognized by others. I missed a deal on a Bernardelli SL pigeon gun that had the tops of the bbls random line cross hatched and matted - a glare killer for sure. And it actually looked PFC sorta taking off where the engraving stopped. But me and the seller just couldn't get past that $1K that kept me from pulling the trigger. Ah, weeeellll. It was just a SxS anyway. Not a real gun.
have a day
Dr.WtS
