Smooth bore shotgun-to-pistol-caliber inserts

simonrichter · December 22, 2017, 09:06 AM

E.g. gunadapters.com offers a vast variety of inserts converting shotguns to fire pistol or revolver calibers. I just wondered why they also have smooth bore models - wouldn't that be a.) illegal in the US and b.) useless because the bullet is not stabilized? They DO sell rifled models as well, so I reckon there must be some good reason for offering a smooth bore option?

kraigwy · December 22, 2017, 11:43 AM

Not into adapters but barrel liners. I've relined several 22 barrels.

Brownell sells liners for pistols and I've been thinking about relining a single shot 410 to make a 45 LC rifle. Problem is Brownells liners are 14" max (the last time I checked) I would like to make this one 20-24 inches.

Bill DeShivs · December 22, 2017, 01:27 PM

The smooth-bore adapters are generally for smaller gauge shotshells.
The only guns requiring rifling in the US are pistols.

Scorch · December 22, 2017, 06:14 PM

Pistol caliber adapters are very common, more so in Europe than in the USA. In many European countries, you are limite as to how many firearms you can own, and a sub-caliber adapter allows hunters to take small game with rifle or pistol ammo out of their shotguns.

Shotgun sub-gauge adapters are very common among trap shooters who have a high-dollar gun but want to shoot different gauges for competition (typically 20 gauge in a 12 gauge gun). Many Merkel, Perazzi, and Krieghoff shotguns are sold as a set with sub-gauge adapters because another barrel set in a smaller gauge would be too heavy and cost prohibitive.

As far as legality, in the USA there are laws prohibiting smooth-bore handguns, but none about shooting pistol or rifle ammo in smooth-bore barrels.

TruthTellers · December 22, 2017, 07:09 PM

An unstabalized bullet being shot at 7 or 10 yards will still regularly hit a man size torso and with a big .44 or .45 bullet tumbling at the moment it impacts flesh to where it stops will do a lot of damage.

I remember seeing a video of Barry from IraqVeteran on youtube when he was still alive. They were testing shooting .454 Casull from a .410 shotgun with a full choke and it hit the paper sideways and Barry commented, "That'd nearly cut a man half in two."

The smoothbore adapters Shortlane sells, their draw is they're cheap, small, and you can get a bunch of them in all major pistol calibers.

If I were to spend money on something like that, I'd prefer it be rifled and you can get rifled adapters much cheaper.

https://grabagun.com/chiappa-firearm...-set-of-8.html

That's a set of 8 inserts that are 8 inches in length, rifled, for just over $200. You can buy them individually for $40.

December 22, 2017, 09:06 AM	#1
simonrichter Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Austria Posts: 757	Smooth bore shotgun-to-pistol-caliber inserts E.g. gunadapters.com offers a vast variety of inserts converting shotguns to fire pistol or revolver calibers. I just wondered why they also have smooth bore models - wouldn't that be a.) illegal in the US and b.) useless because the bullet is not stabilized? They DO sell rifled models as well, so I reckon there must be some good reason for offering a smooth bore option? __________________ "Get off of my lawn!" Walt Kowalski . ISSC PAR .223

December 22, 2017, 11:43 AM	#2
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Not into adapters but barrel liners. I've relined several 22 barrels. Brownell sells liners for pistols and I've been thinking about relining a single shot 410 to make a 45 LC rifle. Problem is Brownells liners are 14" max (the last time I checked) I would like to make this one 20-24 inches. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

December 22, 2017, 01:27 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	The smooth-bore adapters are generally for smaller gauge shotshells. The only guns requiring rifling in the US are pistols. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 22, 2017, 06:14 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Pistol caliber adapters are very common, more so in Europe than in the USA. In many European countries, you are limite as to how many firearms you can own, and a sub-caliber adapter allows hunters to take small game with rifle or pistol ammo out of their shotguns. Shotgun sub-gauge adapters are very common among trap shooters who have a high-dollar gun but want to shoot different gauges for competition (typically 20 gauge in a 12 gauge gun). Many Merkel, Perazzi, and Krieghoff shotguns are sold as a set with sub-gauge adapters because another barrel set in a smaller gauge would be too heavy and cost prohibitive. As far as legality, in the USA there are laws prohibiting smooth-bore handguns, but none about shooting pistol or rifle ammo in smooth-bore barrels. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 22, 2017, 07:09 PM	#5
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	An unstabalized bullet being shot at 7 or 10 yards will still regularly hit a man size torso and with a big .44 or .45 bullet tumbling at the moment it impacts flesh to where it stops will do a lot of damage. I remember seeing a video of Barry from IraqVeteran on youtube when he was still alive. They were testing shooting .454 Casull from a .410 shotgun with a full choke and it hit the paper sideways and Barry commented, "That'd nearly cut a man half in two." The smoothbore adapters Shortlane sells, their draw is they're cheap, small, and you can get a bunch of them in all major pistol calibers. If I were to spend money on something like that, I'd prefer it be rifled and you can get rifled adapters much cheaper. https://grabagun.com/chiappa-firearm...-set-of-8.html That's a set of 8 inserts that are 8 inches in length, rifled, for just over $200. You can buy them individually for $40. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."