Idea: Micro-30 pistol...

[beardenbc]

Just me brainstorming here, no real solid plans to do this, but tell me what you think.

I was looking at a picture someone posted of a registered SBR mini with a factory folder, and got to thinking... I have a hunting license, and the handgun hunts are easy to pull tags for, but I have to actually have a bonafide hunting handgun (my Beretta 96 won't cut it). A nice big revolver or Thompson Center is great, but I'd like to do something different for the sake of doing something different.

I could come across a modified stock (perhaps one of those Clark custom thumbhole stocks with the buttstock portion removed), then see how much I can shorten the barrel without messing with the gas system.

Of course all this is done after properly filing all the proper ATF forms and gaining permission to do so.;)

So in the end, I'd have a low-recoil semi-auto 7.62x39 pistol (albeit a very big pistol) with a 10rd capacity suitable for medium sized game at pistol range and/or backpacking protection from cougars.

My main questions are:

Can a mini-30 realistically be modified to a pistol configuration?
How short can the barrel be taken and still provide enough pressure at the gas block to operate the action?
Would the loss of velocity from such a short barrel be major enough to make it ineffective for whitetail or cougar at pistol range?

I've attached a photochopped rendering of what I have in mind. I figure the pistol grip would have to have some space carved out at the top to allow disassembly. The weight shouldn't be too much more than one of those 10" S&W 500 monsters. A pistol bipod would probably be a good idea.

Feel free to call me a dummy if it applies. I can take it.

[James K]

There have been pistols made using the same idea. Probably no federal problem, but don't forget to check with state and local laws not only on possession/manufacture but also on hunting with the gun.

An educated WAG says that with that gas system, you will need about 2" beyond the gas port.

I don't know about the low recoil though. The 7.62x39 is not a full power military round (like the .30-'06 or 8x57), but it is pretty snappy and the pistol will weigh less than a full length rifle.

For velocity, take about 75fps off for each inch of barrel you remove. It should still be more than most pistol rounds.

Jim

[beardenbc]

Thanks Jim.
That was very informative. I'll make sure to check the local laws before doing anything.
That velocity loss is about what I was expecting. 13 or so inches should give me plenty of punch for a 50 yard shot on medium game.