December 5, 2017, 10:16 PM | #1 |
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Crazy thought ?
Ok this might be crazy but.....
We have heard about sawed off shotguns. What about sawed off handguns? Has that been done? |
December 5, 2017, 10:29 PM | #2 |
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As in handguns with shortened barrels? If that's what you mean then, yes, handguns have been being cut down to shorter/smaller packages since the first person that decided they needed something easier to carry and/or conceal.
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December 5, 2017, 11:02 PM | #3 |
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For example. Cut five inches off the ten inch Ruger Charger.
http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/wp-c...-R-Profile.jpg |
December 5, 2017, 11:33 PM | #4 |
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It's called a snub nose.
Cutting a semi auto down is more problematic, as there's a critical balance between the recoil, gun mass and spring constants.
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December 6, 2017, 07:28 AM | #5 |
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Here are some cut down handguns I own...
S&W M28-2 .41mag 3" - Originally a 6" .357mag, I had it converted to .41mag with a titanium cylinder and used a 4" M58 barrel and had it cut to 3", it was also round butted S&W M28-2 .45ACP 4" - Originally a 6" .357mag, converted to .45ACP using an M25 cyl and 6" barrel which was cut to 4" 1909 Colt Police Positive Special .38spl 2" - This was originally a 4" barrel gun, it was cut down to 2" sometime in the last 108 years I don't own these anymore but they are also good examples... S&W 25-2 Austin Behlert custom - barrel cut down from 6" to 2.5", square butt grip frame cut to round butt S&W M29 .44mag Mag-na-port Custom 'Combat Mini' - Originally a 4" square butt it was cut to 2.5" and round butted Colt Series 70 Gov't Model Austin Behlert custom "Bob-Cat" - Originally a full size 5" Colt Gov't this pistol was cut down to 4" and the grip frame was cut a little more than .5", the work was done back before small 1911s were available from the factories.
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December 6, 2017, 05:12 PM | #6 |
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WC145, what is the cutout in the top of the barrel of the 2nd pictured revolver? Is it for opening bottles?
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December 6, 2017, 05:59 PM | #7 |
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Elmer Keith, in his book "SIXGUNS" IIRC, writes of a revolver that had been customized with NO barrel, just a cylinder...I'm not sure of the details exactly, I'll have to dig it up.
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December 6, 2017, 09:40 PM | #8 |
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^^^^^ Skeeter Skelton pictured a similar gun ~ a Colt SAA with the barrel removed.
Bob Wright
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December 6, 2017, 11:31 PM | #9 |
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It's difficult to trim the barrel on most semiautomatics since you'd have to trim the slide as well. That makes such a project difficult and expensive.
One of the few exceptions is for the Walther P38 or P1. It wasn't unknown to trim the barrel and add a front sight to the slide, resulting in a pistol that resembles the P38K. Some people also shorten the grip on their Glocks, much like the 1911 above. |
December 8, 2017, 11:17 AM | #10 |
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Yes...that is indeed CRAZY.
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December 8, 2017, 01:39 PM | #11 |
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Man the S&W M29 .44mag Mag-na-port Custom 'Combat Mini' sure is eye candy
Very damned good looking piece...like it a lot |
December 8, 2017, 04:05 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
On the topic of Smiths, one thing that you have to look out for is that the under-barrel locking lug was often removed from older 4" to 6-1/2" models that were cut down on the cheap. This generally results in only so-so accuracy. This is common with WWII K-frame Victory or British Service models that were sold as surplus, along with sketchy nickel plating and awful plastic faux stag or ivory grips.
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December 8, 2017, 05:30 PM | #13 |
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Thanks for filling me in, carguychris. I've never seen a barrel cut out like that before.
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December 8, 2017, 11:44 PM | #14 |
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I've shot one of the 2.5" N-frames in .45 colt and that' s a nice shooting revolver.
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December 9, 2017, 02:49 PM | #15 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
Yes, they can be used to open bottles, also.
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December 9, 2017, 04:54 PM | #16 |
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Very informative, WC145. Thank you. I guess I've seen ported barrels with holes drilled in them and the compensators with the slots, but I had never before seen one with such a large cut out. I should have googled "crowbar", but assumed(my bad) it was something 1-off custom. "Crowbar" also had me thinking of prying off bottle tops.
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December 9, 2017, 05:21 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
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"If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge or jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim." - LtCol Jeff Cooper |
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December 9, 2017, 09:59 PM | #18 |
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A fairly common "treasure" found among turn-ins or confiscated guns is the revolver with they cylinder totally removed. Not cut off, just unscrewed, so the only "barrel" is the cylinder. Often the ejector rod is also cut off, since the user had no intention of reloading.
Jim (Actually, most revolvers don't need an ejector rod - rapping the butt on a hard surface will eject the fired cases.) JK |
December 9, 2017, 10:16 PM | #19 |
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jAMES, I keep trying that with my ruger SA I never get more than 1 to come out
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December 10, 2017, 12:44 PM | #20 |
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I think you meant to say "barrel totally removed". LOL. It'd be hard accomplish much with the cylinder missing. I do wonder how much accuracy you'd get without a barrel... would that be considered a smooth-bore since there is no rifling in the throat?
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December 12, 2017, 10:44 PM | #21 |
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Correct, my bad. I meant "barrel".
Of course the folks who want such a short concealable gun seldom worry about such things as accuracy. The gun when used would likely be in contact with the "target". Nor do those folks worry about violating gun laws, something our legislators seem to ignore. believing that if they just pass another law, crime will cease.. Jim |
December 12, 2017, 11:20 PM | #22 |
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Cut down revolvers have been around a long time. This is an original 1860 Colt that only came with an 8 inch barrel. The Danites called them avenging angels.
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December 13, 2017, 02:07 PM | #23 |
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Back in the 1970s the antigunners line of attack was "Saturday Night Specials"
and they argued revolvers with less than 6" barrels should be outlawed because they were the favorites of criminals. A Republican Senator from the Midwest pointed out all a criminal needed to obtain a short barreled revolver was a hacksaw. |
December 13, 2017, 03:38 PM | #24 |
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Cutting down a semi-auto would also require timing the barrel to the locking block or locking surfaces / cam / whatever mechanism is used when in full battery. That would entail designing the slide and it's weight to go along with it. With less slide length, less opportunity to produce enough force to reciprocate the slide. That's why this is easier with revolvers or other mechanisms where feeding the next round is not necessary or doesn't depend on gasses or forces from firing. I suppose the ultimate would be a stumpy little "zip gun" that could headspace on the casemouth if needed and really just be strong enough to keep the brass from deforming after firing. But then you'd essentially be holding a little piece of steel an inch long in the case of 9mm. Like modifying a OAL guage for reloading.
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