I'm just about stone deaf. so porting has no cosequence for me, save cutting down on the recoil.....I think
My Broo-In-Law has a BAR with the Boss on it and he said in hunting that it liked to make him cry when he shot it. He pulled it and replaced it with the non ported version. I don't know as one needs a recoil reducer in a 30-06 gas job anyway.
Had a full blown brake put on the 458 Coug I built up from a standard Marlin 45-70. That I can tell, there ain't a hoot of difference in the recoil, it's just as brutal. Maybeso I'm gettin soft, but I just can't take the poundin no more :?
There still must be a pile of gunners that WANT a Guide gun but haven't had the means to get one. Maybe you could swap yours out for a regular 1895? Even if you ended up having the barrel cut back and crowned, it would be the cheaper way out, less the straight grip stock, which I personaly don't like.
You're in a bit of a pickle there my friend.
Coug