cut shotgun barrel

youngun · November 19, 2001, 08:13 PM

Can you just hacksaw one of these suckers?
Square, of course, and clean, but is there more to it?

James K · November 19, 2001, 08:35 PM

There is not much more to it (as long as the remaining barrel(s) are at least 18"). If the gun is a double, you may find that the ribs come loose, but they are easily soldered back and the hole can be plugged the same way if you want, or with some steel filler. If the barrel is single and ribbed, make the cut in front of a rib support.

You will likely want to file the ends of the barrels smooth and even and maybe use some emery cloth to round the ends.

Of course, you lose any choke that was in the tubes.

Jim

stuckatwork · November 21, 2001, 12:49 PM

If the shotgun is a sinble tube without a top rib, try a clamp type pipe cutter. A time back I did this on a 24" Mossberg and cut it down to a 19". The was clean and only need a couple of swipes with emery paper to clean up some fuzz. Don't use too much pressure or you'll distort the metal and leave a ridge thatneeds to be filed out.

If you must use a hacksaw, use the finest teeth you can for a cleaner cut.

youngun · November 26, 2001, 12:24 AM

A pipe cutter!
Why didn't I think of that?
This'll be easy.

Thanks SAW!

GrandmasterB · November 29, 2001, 06:09 PM

Don't you change the barrel choke when you cut it? I had my bird gun cut from 28" to 26" a few years ago, but I had the smith thread the barrel for screw-in chokes. if you just cut it, your pattern will change drastically and you might not hit what you are aiming at.

Keith J · November 29, 2001, 06:40 PM

Yes, you remove the choke. If you used the pipe cutter, you will get a new choke if you feed it too fast

. Ream it out to your desired pattern with a cordless drill and a brake cylinder hone.

James K · November 29, 2001, 09:37 PM

Putting in a "jug choke" is basically doing that, but not as simple or easy as it may sound. If you want a choke in a sawed-off shotgun (not a common desire), get the right tools from Brownell.

Jim

November 19, 2001, 08:13 PM	#1
youngun Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2001 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 324	cut shotgun barrel Can you just hacksaw one of these suckers? Square, of course, and clean, but is there more to it? __________________ New firing pin: $12. New extractor: $15. Ballistic fingerprinting: worthless.

November 21, 2001, 12:49 PM	#3
stuckatwork Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2000 Posts: 217	If the shotgun is a sinble tube without a top rib, try a clamp type pipe cutter. A time back I did this on a 24" Mossberg and cut it down to a 19". The was clean and only need a couple of swipes with emery paper to clean up some fuzz. Don't use too much pressure or you'll distort the metal and leave a ridge thatneeds to be filed out. If you must use a hacksaw, use the finest teeth you can for a cleaner cut. __________________ These are the words of Stuckatwork. They don't represent the views or opinions of my employers. They aren't that clever.

November 26, 2001, 12:24 AM	#4
youngun Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2001 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 324	A pipe cutter! Why didn't I think of that? This'll be easy. Thanks SAW! __________________ New firing pin: $12. New extractor: $15. Ballistic fingerprinting: worthless.

November 29, 2001, 06:09 PM	#5
GrandmasterB Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2000 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 205	Don't you change the barrel choke when you cut it? I had my bird gun cut from 28" to 26" a few years ago, but I had the smith thread the barrel for screw-in chokes. if you just cut it, your pattern will change drastically and you might not hit what you are aiming at. __________________ Romans 5:8

November 19, 2001, 08:35 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	There is not much more to it (as long as the remaining barrel(s) are at least 18"). If the gun is a double, you may find that the ribs come loose, but they are easily soldered back and the hole can be plugged the same way if you want, or with some steel filler. If the barrel is single and ribbed, make the cut in front of a rib support. You will likely want to file the ends of the barrels smooth and even and maybe use some emery cloth to round the ends. Of course, you lose any choke that was in the tubes. Jim

November 29, 2001, 06:40 PM	#6
Keith J Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 469	Yes, you remove the choke. If you used the pipe cutter, you will get a new choke if you feed it too fast . Ream it out to your desired pattern with a cordless drill and a brake cylinder hone.

November 29, 2001, 09:37 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Putting in a "jug choke" is basically doing that, but not as simple or easy as it may sound. If you want a choke in a sawed-off shotgun (not a common desire), get the right tools from Brownell. Jim