Cutting Down A Barrel

[target1911]

I have an 870 ex mag and i want to cut down the barrel for home def. I only paid $100 for the gun so I am not out much money on it not to mention I have a 2nd one just like it in much better shape. The thing I am wandering about is the rib on the top of the barrel. Is it connected to the barrel at every rib or will it be loose if i cut at one of the ribs. What would be the best way or is it possable to do this, short of buying another barrel.
Oh yeah....another reason I'm not worried about it as it doesn't have the best finish on it...it's not real bad but it does look like it spent a lot of time on a rack in the window of a truck. Minor rust spots.

Thanks

 

[Oohrah]

Buy an extra Barrel rather than cut the orginal

 

[Avenger29]

Use a band saw, IMHO for the best fit. Cut at right at the rib joint closest to the 18.5-19 inch mark. Make damn sure that the barrel will be at least 18 inches when cut. To measure properly, unload the SG and close the action. Drop a dowel down the barrel until it hits the bolt face, and mark. Measure from this mark to get your 18 inch barrel. I'd measure for at least an 18.5-19 inch cut just to be safe.

 

[4fingermick]

I'd be reluctant to modify a weapon that you are going to use in self defence. Imagine some slimebag lawer claiming that you used as sawn off shotgun to inflict more damage. I'd be buying a proper shorter barrel or getting a gunsmith to do the work. Best to regain the initiative rather than having to try and regain it after some lawyer has gained the initiative and destroyed your credibility in court. I always think what is th eworst possible scenario? Lets prepare for that. Just the way I do things. Works for me so far.

 

[gunzrfunz]

same situation

I have a used 12ga 870 wingmaster I wanted to use for HD, but it had a 28" barrel. So, I sold it(barrel) on ebay and bought a new 18.5" parkerized one from gunbroker. Total swap cost me maybe $35 and I have a new barrel with bead sight and not a hacked up looking trailer trash piece of poop.

 

[Fred Fuller]

If it's an original vent rib Express barrel, it is fitted for RemChokes. Sorta excessive to hack up a barrel that someone else might have a use for in its current state, even if the finish is a little off.

New 18- 18.5" barrels from Remington are $96 last I looked, and you can get most of that for selling the barrel you have. Then you get a factory finished barrel with a bead on a block already installed, so that it will shoot where the bead indicates (short, non-VR barrels on Remingtons need the bead elevated about an extra 1/8" due to barrel taper to 'shoot right.')

Or you could get a 'smith to do it, cut it to 21" like the Turkey barrels. If you wanted to reach a little you could even have it threaded for RemChokes again and have a Bradley bead installed up front and maybe even a midbead put on. That combo of beads works about as well as iron sights.

Your call either way, hacksawing a shotgun barrel isn't exactly rocket science. But at the end of the day all you will have is an obvious hacked- off shotgun barrel.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[target1911]

You have all made some very good points and after i posted this i was talking to a friend about it. I come to the conclusion that I will just buy another barrel. I will keep the old one so that if a buddy wants to go shooting with me but either doesnt have a sg or just left his at home, all i need to do is a quik barrel swap and we both have guns capable of a fun hunt.

Thank you all for your input

 

[Mike U.]

Excellent decision!
Extra barrels just make your shotgun even more multi-purpose than it is already.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Can't help but believe that a shotgun with a hunting
barrel and a defense barrel will have more trade-in
or resale value than a shotgun with a hunting barrel
chopped-up to make a home defense barrel.

 

[Avenger29]

Well, when you get something like a Mavrick 88 that retails for $160 new, and it is beaten up, scratched up, and the barrel has some external rust and isn't worth that much, it can be more economical to cut down the barrel than to buy a new barrel that is worth more than the gun. Instead, that $80-$100 can be spent on ammunition...

Especially if you are not very interested in hunting or clays. This is a cheap way to get a truck or secondary defense shotgun.

 

[phoglund]

I have a similar project but for a different reason. I'd like to cut down (or get cut down) a barrel on a Mossberg 500 .410 for a light kicking home defense gun for my slightly built wife. (Discussion on effectiveness of .410 slugs has already been exhausted on a nearby thread)

I have the same issue in that it has a ribbed barrel. I'd prefer a replacement barrel in the 18.5 - 20" inch range but can't seem to find such a beast for the .410. Any suggestions for proper technique or a 'smith that could do it for reasonable cost?

 

[Avenger29]

A smith should be able to do it for $30-40.

 

[wdlsguy]

I'd prefer a replacement barrel in the 18.5 - 20" inch range but can't seem to find such a beast for the .410.

Give Mossberg a call. They make an 18.5" barrel for their .410 "cruiser" shotgun.

http://www.mossberg.com

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

.410 is a terrible defense round. Give your wife something that will actually kill someone. At least a 20GA

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

.410 is a terrible defense round. Give your wife something that will actually kill someone. At least a 20GA

 

[average_shooter]

After two years I'm pretty sure he's found something for the wife to use.

 

[Badger Arms]

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