For a field gun, it's an accident waiting to happen. They're innately more fragile than a solid rib. Lose your footing or swing into a branch, and instead of a superficial character ding you'll have a kinked rib.
Bill
Not sure I agree with this. Consider the number of hunters with OU's with vent ribs and I don't understand the fragile part. I have a Savage B in 20 ga with a vent rib and I think it is quite unique in its look. I use it for ducks and upland with no issue to the rib. I also have a Browning OU that has been heavily used it a lay down blind for over 10 years. Nary an issue with the rib.
