Cutting down a single-shot

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EMT_stuart

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I have an H&R Pardner SB1 12 gauge that I'd like to cut down. However, I don't want to make an SBS; I simply want to cut it down to the bare limit of 18 inches.
The thing is, I'm not sure to include the chamber in the overall length of the barrel.

It's quite the scattergun even without the cut down barrel, and with the polymer furniture I gave it, the kick is a bit intense. I'd also like to add a Witts Machine compensator to it after it's chopped. Should be a neat, though impractical, CQC piece once it's all done.
 
chamber length doesn't matter. while you are right on the barrel length the over all length has to be 26 inches also. to be on the safe side I would cut the barrel at 18 1/4 inches
 
just a thought remember that your going to clean up the cut so cutting at 18" and then cleaning leaves you short.
 
For clarity here: Empty the gun. Close the slide. Drop a wooden dowel down the bore. Put a sharpie marker line on the dowel, right at the mouth of the barrel.

That's how you measure one.
 
Whew, I was starting to think we would never get back to hacksawing shotguns!

Anyone have any idea how hard it is to find a spare barrel for a Winchester 37? been searching the auction sights and such for ages. No way I am cutting my first shotgun, but I would like it to be easily transported and stored in the truck just for giggles.

-kBob
 
Single shot 12 ga is strong recoil to begin with. Lightened stock and cut barrel will make it significantly worse. You might think you want to do this but I think you will regret it. If you do, put on a limb saver recoil pad and firmly close your mouth when firing that thing.
 
Don't listen to these old girly men! Do it! I cut mine down to 18.5 inches. It came out to 18.25 after dressing it up. I cut the LOP down to 12 inches. It's a fun gun to shoot. Especially with 3" slugs! It is surprisingly accurate with slugs, if you know what your doing.
 
Valuable experience!

I've had more than one instance wherein a law enforcement rep has dropped a mushroom ended rod in a bore and found it to come up short.

Give yourself a good margin of error on the chop. No one will think it any less cool looking nor less handy with an extra 1/2 inch or so. More if you anticipate beating on it at all necessitating aggressive clean-up/repair in the future.
 
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IMHO, the gun will look better with a barrel closer to 20" than to 18"... The stocks on these types of H&R's are large.

Tape over the end of the barrel you'd like to cut with masking tape. Put it against a similar-color background. Take a photograph. That will show you what it would look like. Do one tape job at 20" the other at 18.5".

Good luck. Use the Search feature here. Several of us have done this to H&R break-action single-shots.
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
I've had more than one instance wherein a law enforcement rep has dropped a mushroom ended rod in a bore and found it to come up short.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't that make a barrel measure longer than normal?
 
I cut one years ago, but it was a 20 ga., and even so, the recoil was pretty nasty with 3" 00 bucks and slugs. But as long as you are accepting of heavy recoil, have at it, you only get to go around once, so make it count! Eat what you enjoy, drive what you like, and most definitely shoot what pleases you.

FYI, I'm a 5'5", 5' 4" bare foot, 120 lb. man, and I have been shooting big boy magnum rifles and SG's all my life. I've yet to come across a firearm that the recoil actually bothers me until the next day.

GS
 
Thanks for the replies, friends. Removed from the receiver, the barrel assembly on mine measures out to 27.5 inches. A good 9 inches gone will make it quite handy.
 
Do it!

I think you should DEFINITELY do it! So fun! Here is mine with a S&W J-frame snub and some 3" magnum 00 buckshot shells for scale:

pardner.jpg

It's a H&R pardner single shot in 12 gauge that I had profesionally cut down to the bbl length of 18.5", no more... no less! PERFECT! Kicks like the dickens though, I'm here ta' tell ya! 3" magnum high brass is best reserved for emergency use!

I'm a fan of single shot shotguns for home defense work, especially for people uninitiated in the use of some other options. Yes firepower limited, but PLENTY o' thump and easier to use than virtually any other weapon out there. OP, cut down that bbl and get yourself a butt ammo cuff and stick some defense shotgun shells in it and you will have one fine, handy, and POWERFUL defensive tool... that's also super fun to "plink" with!
 
Cooldill

Nice looking Pardner you've got there. I have often considered cutting down my long barreled single shot into what you've got there. Definitely something to think about.
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
I've had more than one instance wherein a law enforcement rep has dropped a mushroom ended rod in a bore and found it to come up short.
Click to expand...

:rolleyes:

Either the barrel is of legal length, or it isn't. There is no grey area nor room for conjecture. It is a rare example of law that is truly concrete, and can be physically measured. Mushroom ended rods notwithstanding.
 
My point was, don't make a 16 inch barrel 16 inches or an 18 exactly 18 inches but rather enough over so that LEs with incorrect length devices don't queer your day.

I eventually just started loaning my cut down and engraved Dewey rod to the principal SDSD LE supervisor at the Del Mar show to avoid the problem of their shifting tapes, smudged sharpee lines and interpretations.
 
Cutdown shotguns

Well, I started a part-time job at the local Cabela's about 3 months ago. With the hunting seasons fast upon us, I hadn't had the chance to go to the gun section and look things over. When I finally took the time, I found a Weatherby 12. ga. shotgun on clearance, the 18 1/2" bbl. is what intrigued me. The clearance price was $298.00, I snagged it instantly, NIB. I went to the range and took some high brass fodder, 2 3/4" 00 buck and some Remington #4's, just to see what kind of a pattern would show up. Blasting a P-dog mound at 25 yds was the target, Whoomp, the 00 was about the size of a serving platter at that distance, the #4 shot, maybe a smidgen larger, either way, I was totally impressed ! The synthetic stock has a nice rubber butt pad, not bad shooting this dude at all. I don't think the 00 will be used for house protection, but I did find some other intriguing shot shells I may try, Herter's 2 ball shells, approx. size, .657 balls, may get a 10 shell box and see how these act.... never know. This pump shotgun, with plug removed, holds 5 and 1.
 
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I would make my initial cut no shorter than 18.5", just to ensure I didn't wind up with an illegal SBS. When I cut mine, I chopped it from 28" to 22". It is still very handy and recoil will get your attention.

12-gauge-Topper.jpg

The Hi Viz is a very tight fit. It hasn't moved under recoil yet, even shooting high brass loads.
 
bannockburn said:
Cooldill

Nice looking Pardner you've got there. I have often considered cutting down my long barreled single shot into what you've got there. Definitely something to think about.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I highly recommend it. It really can transform an old single shot into something special, this gun is so lightweight and manueverable it's not even funny! SUPER handy shotgun!
 
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