Porting consists of adding holes through the shotgun’s barrel, near the end. Porting results in a reduction of recoil and a reduction in muzzle climb. The recoil reduction comes from the fact that some of the hot gases that would normally help propel the shotgun backward against the shooter’s shoulder (recoil) are instead directed out of the port holes. Since the port holes are near the end of the barrel, there is virtually no effect upon the speed at which the shot or slugs exit the shotgun.

A barrel with a set of small holes added near the muzzle.