Shotgun barrel porting at home?

BudS · November 21, 2002, 12:41 AM

I have a Winchester 1300 Defender; how easy would it be for me to port the barrel myself? Or would it be better if I let a smith do it? I'm trying to be frugal, have several mouths to feed- thanks!

Dfariswheel · November 21, 2002, 12:51 AM

I've heard of this being done, but no reports on how well it worked.

The method I've heard involved drilling a series of holes in a pattern near the muzzle, then using a polishing head to remove the burrs pushed into the bore when the drill breaks through.

An expediant polishing head can be made by cutting a slit about 2-3 inches long into the end of a 1/2" or so wooden dowl.
Insert the end of a strip of fine grit sandpaper into the slit, then wrap it around the end of the dowl.

You can chuck it into a drill, or even use it by hand.

George Stringer · November 21, 2002, 07:17 AM

There is an AGI book that Brownells sells called Gunsmithing The Shotgun that has a step by step chapter on this in it. Pretty close to the method I use in my shop. I port a lot of O/Us and don't exactly use their method for that. Single barrels are much easier however and I would expect their way to work fine. George

November 21, 2002, 12:41 AM	#1
BudS Member Join Date: September 25, 2002 Location: AL Posts: 54	Shotgun barrel porting at home? I have a Winchester 1300 Defender; how easy would it be for me to port the barrel myself? Or would it be better if I let a smith do it? I'm trying to be frugal, have several mouths to feed- thanks!

November 21, 2002, 12:51 AM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	I've heard of this being done, but no reports on how well it worked. The method I've heard involved drilling a series of holes in a pattern near the muzzle, then using a polishing head to remove the burrs pushed into the bore when the drill breaks through. An expediant polishing head can be made by cutting a slit about 2-3 inches long into the end of a 1/2" or so wooden dowl. Insert the end of a strip of fine grit sandpaper into the slit, then wrap it around the end of the dowl. You can chuck it into a drill, or even use it by hand.

November 21, 2002, 07:17 AM	#3
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	There is an AGI book that Brownells sells called Gunsmithing The Shotgun that has a step by step chapter on this in it. Pretty close to the method I use in my shop. I port a lot of O/Us and don't exactly use their method for that. Single barrels are much easier however and I would expect their way to work fine. George