[Tilton Hilton]

Just wondering.
Can any shotgun barrel be cut to 18-30" and still pattern as well as factory 18-20' barrels? Or is there a lot more involved.
Jim

[sm]

Welcome to THR! :)

Couple of things:

-There will be NO choke if just "cut back". Obvious if the bbl is currently using choke tubes. What is not known to some folks - Fixed Choke bbls have constriction (choke) , even the Cyl bores often have a thousands or two.

-Best to have a Experienced Gunsmith shorten a bbl. Proper method and tools will be used, the vent rib will be secured if has one, for sure the front bead needs to be properly secured.

-If the barrel in question is a fine fixed choke bbl - Don't do it. Buy another short bbl, with screw in chokes or fixed with some constriction.

-LEGAL STUFF NOW. Measure Thrice, then measure again. You miss measure and cut too short, you are in Violation, and just wasted a bbl.

Bristers Book is one good source to learn all about Shotguns, one Chapter alone deals with chokes and loads.

[Onmilo]

If the job is done well, and the muzzle is refaced back to square, the gun will shoot as well as before albeit without any pattern constricting choke.

[Tilton Hilton]

Thanks for the information.

So do factory short barreled Police and HD shotguns have any choke? Or should I ask for close range work what is the preferred choke if any?

Thought it would be a fun project to make my own. But don't want to create anything inferior.
Thanks, Jim

[scout26]

T-H Welcome to THR !!

What's the shotgun ??? If it's one of the big four (Remington, Mossberg/Maverick, Winchester, or Ithaca), look into buying a new/used barrel(s). In additon to solving your problem, it also gives you more versatility/uses for the gun.


I always caution against doing it, as you can't uncut the barrel. I've seen several rather nice old family guns (some worth some $$$), turned into junk because of a bad hacksaw job.

Edit:

If it's the MC Mossy you bought in your other thread, you can get a 18.5" barrel from Mossberg www.mossberg.com (http://) for $74 or if you want the 24" cylinder bore with rifle sights is only $105. You can probably do better price wise at your dealer, a gunshow or the internet. Also check http://www.havlinsales.com/ (http://) they migh thave what you're looking for also, real nice people and a pleasure to do business with.

HTH.

[Tilton Hilton]

Scout26,
Thanks for the suggestions.
I don't have one singled out for the project, just trying to have a solid understanding before proceeding.
Jim

[Okiecruffler]

Knew a fella once who bought a Maverick pump witha 28" barrel. He wanted a HD gun, so he took it and a hacksaw out to the shed and went to work. First cut looked abit crooked, so he tried to square it up. After about 5 tries at squaring it up he ended up with a 17 1/2" barrel. Worked out well for me, I ended up with a reciever for a song and it don't take much looking to find a mossy barrel.
My own HD SG is a Stevens 311 that I bought cheap due to a bulged barrel. I cut it off to about 19 inches, but sure wish I would have let a gunsmith do it.