PA-459 choke question

[reidnez]

Hey all,

I recently picked up a Weatherby PA-459. It is unusual for a "tactical" shotgun in that the barrel is threaded for interchangeable chokes. It comes with a cylinder choke which extends about 1.5" past the barrel, and is ported. I find this a little silly.

I would rather just ditch it and save the extra length, but my assumption is that if I fired it in this state, I would risk damaging the threads (is that correct?)
This gun will only ever see lead buckshot and the occasional slug. Nothing steel or exotic.

I'm guessing I need to buy a flush-fit cylinder choke just to protect the threads, but I won't if I don't have to...I doubt I would ever put a different choke in the gun. It's purely for home defense. Thoughts?

[prc77]

yep. protect those threads. I'm sure it will see plenty of birdshot too. Cheaper way to train.

[Vigilante]

Yep, you'll need to have a choke tube installed when shooting the gun, or else risk ruining the barrel.

That shotgun doesn't take the standard Weatherby choke tubes, and uses the more modern, longer Beretta/Benelli Mobil style choke tubes. Just FYI.