Best way to cut a shotgun barrel?

[AcceptableUserName]

I'm considering cutting an old vent rib barrel I have for my 870 that I don't use to 18.5. I know, I know, buy a new one and keep the vent-rib...but I kinda want a short vent-rib. Can you describe the best way to do this? and how/could I add a bead once I do it? What about smoothing the bore edges like factory? I want it to look very professional. What kind of tools and techniques go into this? I'll probably let a gunsmith handle it once everything's legit, but just out of curiosity....

[kmrcstintn]

ok...I had this done to an older Stevens w/ a vent rib barrel; I didn't do the cutting myself, but the shop that performed the modification went slightly longer than 18.5" where a rib support was attached to the barrel; they cut just in front of the support, slightly crowned the barrel, polished the exposed surface of the rib, and rebeaded for a front sight;

cost me @ $60 at the time (back in 2002)

[Badger Arms]

I developed my own technique. Hacksaw, miter box, file, and some sandpaper. Clamp the barrel into the miter box. I use rubber-faced sliding clamps. Cut the barrel so there is about 5/32" of barrel in front of the rib support. The ribs will determine where your cut goes. Anything over 18 1/8" is good to allow you to file down some if you have chatter marks.

Anyway, once you cut the barrel, it should be fairly square. With a wide, fine file, dress the face of the barrel so that there aren't any marks from the hacksaw. Slightly bevel the outside of the barrel so it doesn't feel sharp to the touch. Jewelers files or sandpaper wrapped around a pencil or dowel will dress the inside of the barrel.

Now, take a pair of jeans and lay a piece of 220 grit sandpaper on the jeans. The jeans allow the sandpaper to give and curve around the metal at the muzzle so it isn't sharp.

Once the muzzle is dressed, CAREFULLY file the rib back to where it looks good and break the edges so they aren't sharp. Don't hit the barrel while you're doing this.

Drilling, tapping, and installing the bead takes some more skill. Won't go into it here.

[lipadj46]

A band saw works well too. Don't use a pipe cutter unless you plan on doing a lot of filing.

[Badger Arms]

Can't use a pipe cutter with a vent rib and NEVER use a pipe cutter even without a vent rib.

[chuckusaret]

I took mine to a machine shop and I believe the guy put the barrel in a lath and cut it down for $30 bucks. Had it ported by a gun smith took a month but he only charged me $60 in lieu of the normal $120....what a deal

[BigGuy52]

I have a pump shotgun barrel cut by a friend who's a mechanic. He used a hack-saw and cut it to 18 1/8" in length, then a touch up with a file, looks fine for what it is.

He also pulled out the block in the magazine, it now holds 5 shells.

My next steps are to install a bead sight, and I'm going to refinish it.

[oneounceload]

He also pulled out the block in the magazine, it now holds 5 shells

If you unscrew the magazine cap, you can take that out by yourself

If you're going to do this yourself, make sure you leave yourself enough length. The BATF has zero tolerance for anything even a hair width under legal length as they measure it.

[jdh]

If you want to add rifle sights:
http://www.truglo.com/content/products/firearm/sluggun_rifle/pro_series.asp