Chopping the barrel on a Cimarron 1892

Dino. · June 29, 2011, 07:18 AM

I have a Cimarron 1892 with a 20" barrel and was thinking about having it cut down to 16"-16.5".

Does anyone know what the average price would be to have something like this done?

Thanks!

mapsjanhere · June 29, 2011, 08:46 AM

Cut and crown barrel, move front sight, cut and thread magazine tube, shorten magazine spring, reinstall barrel band - you couldn't find a simpler gun to modify

. If you find someone to do all that under $200 you're lucky.

Dino. · June 29, 2011, 08:55 AM

Thanks mapsjanhere.

James K · June 29, 2011, 04:01 PM

I am not sure I would trust anyone who charged under $200 to do the job right. Not hard, but tedious and time-consuming work. I am not sure what mapsjanhere means by threading the magazine tube, though.

Jim

Dino. · June 29, 2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

I am not sure what mapsjanhere means by threading the magazine tube, though.

The end of the magazine tube is threaded and capped.
The rifle was manufactured in Italy where there is (I think) a 5-round magazine limit.
When I purchased the gun, I had to unscrew the cap and remove a rod that was used to limit the magazine capacity.

So, what is your opinion on how much it may cost to have this done?
I've never done this before myself, but it doesn't look all that tedious.

mapsjanhere · June 30, 2011, 10:03 AM

Dino, if you're an artist with hand tools you can do this with a hacksaw and a hand file in an hour. Most people attempting it that way (including me) will be mentioned as Bubba in later descriptions of the gun.
The alternative is taking the barrel off the receiver (without damaging either) to put the barrel in the lathe for a good crown, reinstalling the barrel to the correct headspace and torque, and, after everything else is done, putting the gun on the mill to get a nice square dovetail cut for the front sight. All that takes time, and I haven't seen many gunsmith lately charging less than $70 per hour.

Dino. · June 30, 2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

The alternative is taking the barrel off the receiver (without damaging either) to put the barrel in the lathe for a good crown, reinstalling the barrel to the correct headspace and torque, and, after everything else is done, putting the gun on the mill to get a nice square dovetail cut for the front sight. All that takes time, and I haven't seen many gunsmith lately charging less than $70 per hour.

I like this method MUCH better.

Scorch · June 30, 2011, 01:37 PM

IMO, you are looking at a $250-$300 job to shorten your Chiappa 1892, depending on shop rate.
Remove barrel, shorten, reinstall- .75 hrs
Set up, cut dovetail, install dovetail front sight- .5 hrs
Remove magazine tube, shorten, drill for cap screw, reinstall- .75 hrs
Set up, cut barrel and mag tube for front barrel band- .5 hrs
Reassemble- .5 hrs
About 3 hrs shop time, so whatever the shop rate is times 3 hrs is what you are looking at.

Dino. · July 1, 2011, 10:12 AM

Thanks Scorch.

AJG · July 1, 2011, 11:15 AM

don't forget to get the barrel and magazine tube refinished, or at least the cut ends refinished...

James K · July 1, 2011, 02:48 PM

"....remove the barrel...."

A very good reason for a gunsmith to have a lathe with a hollow headstock if such can be obtained.

"The end of the magazine tube is threaded and capped." Thanks. I didn't know that; I assumed (yes, I know) it was the same as the Winchester.

Jim

June 29, 2011, 07:18 AM	#1
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	Chopping the barrel on a Cimarron 1892 I have a Cimarron 1892 with a 20" barrel and was thinking about having it cut down to 16"-16.5". Does anyone know what the average price would be to have something like this done? Thanks!

June 29, 2011, 08:46 AM	#2
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Cut and crown barrel, move front sight, cut and thread magazine tube, shorten magazine spring, reinstall barrel band - you couldn't find a simpler gun to modify . If you find someone to do all that under $200 you're lucky. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

June 30, 2011, 10:03 AM	#6
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Dino, if you're an artist with hand tools you can do this with a hacksaw and a hand file in an hour. Most people attempting it that way (including me) will be mentioned as Bubba in later descriptions of the gun. The alternative is taking the barrel off the receiver (without damaging either) to put the barrel in the lathe for a good crown, reinstalling the barrel to the correct headspace and torque, and, after everything else is done, putting the gun on the mill to get a nice square dovetail cut for the front sight. All that takes time, and I haven't seen many gunsmith lately charging less than $70 per hour. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

June 30, 2011, 01:37 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	IMO, you are looking at a $250-$300 job to shorten your Chiappa 1892, depending on shop rate. Remove barrel, shorten, reinstall- .75 hrs Set up, cut dovetail, install dovetail front sight- .5 hrs Remove magazine tube, shorten, drill for cap screw, reinstall- .75 hrs Set up, cut barrel and mag tube for front barrel band- .5 hrs Reassemble- .5 hrs About 3 hrs shop time, so whatever the shop rate is times 3 hrs is what you are looking at. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 1, 2011, 11:15 AM	#10
AJG Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 88	refinish don't forget to get the barrel and magazine tube refinished, or at least the cut ends refinished...

June 29, 2011, 08:55 AM	#3
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	Thanks mapsjanhere.

June 29, 2011, 04:01 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I am not sure I would trust anyone who charged under $200 to do the job right. Not hard, but tedious and time-consuming work. I am not sure what mapsjanhere means by threading the magazine tube, though. Jim

July 1, 2011, 10:12 AM	#9
Dino. Junior member Join Date: November 2, 2006 Posts: 908	Thanks Scorch.

July 1, 2011, 02:48 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	"....remove the barrel...." A very good reason for a gunsmith to have a lathe with a hollow headstock if such can be obtained. "The end of the magazine tube is threaded and capped." Thanks. I didn't know that; I assumed (yes, I know) it was the same as the Winchester. Jim