[blindhari]

I was going to buy a NEF snaketamer in 20 guage for 4 wheel and backpack carry. My brother in law heard about it and went through his gun safe and found a CBC 151 20 guage that he took for a bad debt almost 20 years ago. He gave me the gun and about 8 boxes of various low base shells. So I guess I have a project gun. I can shorten, reshape the stock, and add pad no sweat, but I have never cut a barrell of any kind. I want to take the barrell down to 20". How do i measure the barrell length? How do I cut and refinish it? I know the overall length must be over 26". I assume that is end of barrell to end of stock. I have some nice cured elkhide I can braid for a sling, anyone have any thoughts on swivels. Oh yeah, what do I need to do to get a sight back on the front.

All advice greatly appreciated. My brother in law is one of the good ones and I mean to do him proud by the time I finish.

blindhari

[Sam1911]

The official way to measure a barrel is to get a wooden dowel and run it down the barrel from the muzzle with the action closed. (The gun has to be unloaded or the measurement will be incorrect...and there are some other complications,too. :rolleyes:) Mark the dowel at the muzzle, remove it, and measure from the end that was against the bolt/breech face to the mark.

As for cutting it down? A lathe is the best way. Hacksaw and files will do if you *must* DIY and don't have the proper equipment. (You'll need some good measuring/layout tools to check that you get the cut perfectly square.)

A pipe cutter is a lousy choice (creates a burr and/or abrupt choke at the cut). Cut-off saw would be worse (too much heat). And, I suppose, an acetylene torch would be about the worst... LOL! :D

-Sam

[TheToyMaker]

If you'd still like to have a choke I'd recommend getting it professionally done unless own your own reamer and tap. Otherwise you're likely to run into some serious patterning trouble after the job is done.

[blindhari]

Thank you toymaker. My brother in law has not only given me the gun, but tool access and help. He has an automotive repair shop.

blindhari