Hi:
I've been interested in subcaliber inserts that allow firing of handgun cartridges in shotguns. Such adapters allow a shotgun owner greater flexibility to use available handgun ammo in scenarios such as a disabled motorist, injured camper, stranded hikers, etc. Many of the available smoothbore adapters have been said to demonstrate terrible accuracy, but a company called Gaugemate makes rifled inserts.
Got to shoot the Stevens 620 today with two Gaugemate insert adapters, one for 9mm the other for 40 S&W. These are the 7" models that are rifled, although they are only rifled for four or five inches. The inserts have a 2 inch or so "expansion chamber" ahead of the rifling. They appear well made and fit the 620 pretty well, snug with little or no slop yet easy enough to remove. The instructions recommended lubricating the exterior which I did with Rem-Oil. A rubber O-ring helps the insert maintain concentricity when installed in the barrel and a cut out at the chamber end assists in removal of the spent cartridge.
The 7" models are too long to be inserted into most repeaters from the ejection port and are typically used with single shots and O/U that break open at the breach. The Stevens 620 takes down in such a way that allows a longer insert adapter to be installed and the shotgun re-assembled with the adapter inside the barrel.
Windage was spot on at 15 yds with the 40 S&W and a bit high. Five rounds grouped about 1". Four of the rounds were touching each other. There was no perceived recoil to speak of firing either the 9 or 40.
The 9mm insert was not as well regulated as the .40 , point of impact was high and to the left, the group was about three or four inches (also at 15 yds). All the .40 cases were easily pulled out of the adapter with bare fingers, the 9mm took a bit more coaxing and a couple of cases had to be eased out with a small screwdriver blade.
The inserts are not intended or expected to print tiny groups. But I'll say that at 15 yds the 40 cal insert shot a smaller group and with greater ease than I normally could with a Glock two handed standing unsupported. Velocities should be similar to handguns with comparable barrel lengths. Adding a rear sight might tighten up the groups a bit as well.
All in all, I like the Gaugemates. I think they serve a purpose of allowing emergency small game capability when primary handguns are unavailable. I may try the Gaugemate .22LR 10" model but it appears to be out of stock.
As always, this is for information only, do not try this at home, check with a qualified gunsmith before attempting anything and do so at your own risk.
Here's a link to the website:
http://www.gaugemate.com/adapters/arsenal
40 S&W Adapter @ 15 yds 5 rounds, point of aim bottom of purple rectangle
9mm Adapter @ 15 yds 6 rounds, point of aim bottom of purple rectangle
Adapter installed inside barrel
I've been interested in subcaliber inserts that allow firing of handgun cartridges in shotguns. Such adapters allow a shotgun owner greater flexibility to use available handgun ammo in scenarios such as a disabled motorist, injured camper, stranded hikers, etc. Many of the available smoothbore adapters have been said to demonstrate terrible accuracy, but a company called Gaugemate makes rifled inserts.
Got to shoot the Stevens 620 today with two Gaugemate insert adapters, one for 9mm the other for 40 S&W. These are the 7" models that are rifled, although they are only rifled for four or five inches. The inserts have a 2 inch or so "expansion chamber" ahead of the rifling. They appear well made and fit the 620 pretty well, snug with little or no slop yet easy enough to remove. The instructions recommended lubricating the exterior which I did with Rem-Oil. A rubber O-ring helps the insert maintain concentricity when installed in the barrel and a cut out at the chamber end assists in removal of the spent cartridge.
The 7" models are too long to be inserted into most repeaters from the ejection port and are typically used with single shots and O/U that break open at the breach. The Stevens 620 takes down in such a way that allows a longer insert adapter to be installed and the shotgun re-assembled with the adapter inside the barrel.
Windage was spot on at 15 yds with the 40 S&W and a bit high. Five rounds grouped about 1". Four of the rounds were touching each other. There was no perceived recoil to speak of firing either the 9 or 40.
The 9mm insert was not as well regulated as the .40 , point of impact was high and to the left, the group was about three or four inches (also at 15 yds). All the .40 cases were easily pulled out of the adapter with bare fingers, the 9mm took a bit more coaxing and a couple of cases had to be eased out with a small screwdriver blade.
The inserts are not intended or expected to print tiny groups. But I'll say that at 15 yds the 40 cal insert shot a smaller group and with greater ease than I normally could with a Glock two handed standing unsupported. Velocities should be similar to handguns with comparable barrel lengths. Adding a rear sight might tighten up the groups a bit as well.
All in all, I like the Gaugemates. I think they serve a purpose of allowing emergency small game capability when primary handguns are unavailable. I may try the Gaugemate .22LR 10" model but it appears to be out of stock.
As always, this is for information only, do not try this at home, check with a qualified gunsmith before attempting anything and do so at your own risk.
Here's a link to the website:
http://www.gaugemate.com/adapters/arsenal
40 S&W Adapter @ 15 yds 5 rounds, point of aim bottom of purple rectangle
9mm Adapter @ 15 yds 6 rounds, point of aim bottom of purple rectangle
Adapter installed inside barrel
