Look at the firearm closely; where does the plating end presently? It certainly does not enter the bore. Is it almost seemless indicating it is well bonded? You will certainly lose this once it is cut to shorten the barrel. Does that matter? If you are not in a salt water environment, probably not if the cut is uniform and the recrowning process is run smoothly and correctly. However, a chip or surface irregularity will allow substances to work under the plating. I can offer the following. Marlin used to offer a "marine" finish on the Model 500. This was a plating. The shotgun, as manufactured, was not drilled and tapped for a scope or peep. I never modified the one I kept on my boat, my friend did modify his with drilling and tapping. At the end of the first season when he took the scope and bases off for winter storage cleaning there was corrosion around the little holes. It was not a red rust but showed up as black discoloration that appeard like a localized mold. After a couple of years he had to steel wool and coat the area around these holes as rust had set in. Well, a long winded reply, but one that may help you decide.
