Shortening a barrel: what are the disadvantages?

[Nolo]

When dealing with rifles, shortening the weapon's barrel even a couple of inches has sometimes drastic effects on performance (especially the velocity).
I was wondering if the same thing is true of shotguns, at least in the same measure?
I know that shortening the barrel makes the recoil and flash greater, and sometimes (when you get really far down there) doesn't let the powder burn all the way, but does it significantly decrease velocity?
Do different loads partially determine any decrease?
What about 8- and 6-inch barrels?
I'm mostly looking for velocity differences between 6-, 8-, 10.5-, 14.5-, 16- and 18.5-inch barrels. I assume that there is little velocity increase past 18.5 inches (though I could be assuming falsely.)
I know many people prefer 14.5-inch barrels (of course, when they pay the tax, and in their dreams) for a HD weapon, but what penalties are associated with that length?
Input is appreciated. Have a wonderful day.

-Nolo out. For now.
EDIT: I shot a 22-inch riot shotgun once that appeared to have significant range benefits to the 20-inchers we were shooting, but that was with birdshot and I cannot say for sure. Also that may have little to do with velocity, as shotguns perform very differently from rifles.

 

[PTK]

32" barreled single shot, 18.5" barreled Remington 11 with a seriously reduced stock, 12" barreled 870, 8" barreled single shot, and a pistol grip 8" barreled double barrel.

According to Remington, modern powder in a shotgun burns completely in 25 to 36 cm [10 to 14 in] barrels.

Link


The only thing I've noticed is that under 24", shotguns are LOUD and they have huge muzzle flash problems. The 12" 870 works for me as the best compromise, and from what Wikipedia says (though they can be faulty) 00 buck isn't losing much by having 6" less barrel.

 

[oneounceload]

anything shorter than 18-18.5" requires a little more paperwork to be legal as well

 

[wdlsguy]

Source unknown

 

[oneounceload]

shotguns have to have a minimum barrel length of 18.5" and an overall length of at least 26".....otherwise it falls under NFA

 

[Nolo]

oneounceload:
I know. If you'd bothered to read my OP, you would have known that I mentioned the NFA tax (not the stamp, but I knew about that anyway), so I know already. You do not need to post twice.
I do realize that you may be trying to stop some dumb hillbilly from breaking the law by chopping up his shotgun barrels, but then I have to ask you this:
Would a dumb hillbilly with no regard to the law care about any potential velocity decreases?
If the law won't stop an idiot, do you think science will?

 

[35Rem]

That kind of attitude may limit the amount of assistance you may get.
It also doesn't hurt to START a post like this with this information, so a "dumb hillbilly" that comes along and reads it doesn't go and "chop up his shotgun"
This is a subject that little is known about by most folks, so let's put the reminder up front. Maybe the post wasn't directed to "Nolo", but maybe it will keep someone from breaking the law.

 

[Chipperman]

Interesting trend in that graph.

Apparently, you want to cut your barrel to an even number, because odd number lengths given lower velocity between 20-28 inches.

I wonder how many rounds were fired for each length.

 

[Nolo]

35Rem: I kinda started to rant there, forgive me.
The only thing that bugged me was that he posted it twice. And it couldn't have been a double post, either.

 

[tkendrick]

The biggest disadvantage is not the velocity loss, which is inconsequential at any realistic defense range for a shotgun.

The main disadvantage is the controlability of the the platform, i.e. how fast can you recover from the first shot and get back on target for follow-up shots.

At some point, depending on the ammo, weight of the gun, strength of the shooter, etc., that is going to become critical in a real world scenario.

Having watched born-again Rambos with short barreled, pistol gripped shotguns has convinced me that it is easy to let ones macho override ones ability.

 

[PTK]

tkendrick

The best of the shotguns I own for length vs. utility is the 12" 870. Full stock, good recoil pad, nice and short. It's all-around my favorite shotgun.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Shortening a barrel: what are the disadvantages?

1) You lose whatever choke was factory supplied, either fixed or choke tube threads. If you want choke back, you either buy a short barrel with factory fixed choke or have choke tubes installed in your shortened barrel.

2) You lose 'swingability'- the weight out in front of the support hand that helps keep a shotgun swinging once the shooter gets it moving in the first place. More of interest to wingshooters and claybirders, but still a consideration. A hacksaw is forever, with a given barrel... .

3) A shotgun barrel is pretty much a law unto itself. Some leave the factory with magic installed- they pattern wonderfully with some load or other right out the door, some pattern beautifully with a variety of loads. Whacking them off lets the magic leak out. Sometimes that's a tragedy. Spare/extra barrels are interchangeable on many designs and are available, sometimes not expensively. Better to buy an extra than destroy magic.

4) Done well and carefully the results are indistinguishable from factory work. Done carelessly and crudely the results can be dangerous.

5) Short enough to require extra paperwork is a hassle and unnecessary expense IMHO. 18" to 18.5" is short enough for convenience. YMMV if you have extra $$$ and don't mind paperwork.

6) Ballistically it's been pretty well covered. I don't care for shorter than 18" due to increased blast and flash, again YMMV there.

That's about all that come to mind...

lpl/nc

 

[Nolo]

1) You lose whatever choke was factory supplied, either fixed or choke tube threads. If you want choke back, you either buy a short barrel with factory fixed choke or have choke tubes installed in your shortened barrel.

2) You lose 'swingability'- the weight out in front of the support hand that helps keep a shotgun swinging once the shooter gets it moving in the first place. More of interest to wingshooters and claybirders, but still a consideration. A hacksaw is forever, with a given barrel... .

I'm mostly thinking of new production weapons for self-defense and military applications, so those two aren't as much of a worry.

 

[PTK]

Short enough to require extra paperwork is a hassle and unnecessary expense IMHO. 18" to 18.5" is short enough for convenience. YMMV if you have extra $$$ and don't mind paperwork.

Ballistically it's been pretty well covered. I don't care for shorter than 18" due to increased blast and flash, again YMMV there.

Hello everyone, I'm an exception to these rules.

Just kidding - but with my limited extra funds I did at some point want to try these two issues out for myself. I've found that 12" is the shortest barrel I'm comfortable with in a "serious use" gun, and it MUST have a full stock.

 

[Leadhead]

One negative about shorter barrels is others will think you are a wanna be Rambo!

Personally I find shotguns to be quite loud even with a 30 inch barrel and I use ear protection with all my guns at the range or hunting..... so the muzzle blast and extra volume are not an issue for me with shorter barrels.


I think if there was no law regarding shorter then 18"'s more people would be stoked about 12.5's and 14"ers.

 

[PTK]

One negative about shorter barrels is others will think you are a wanna be Rambo!

Not one person has said that about my guns, but then again, they usually say "Ooo, can I shoot it too?"

 

[Nolo]

One negative about shorter barrels is others will think you are a wanna be Rambo!

That's preposterous, Rambo didn't use a sawed off shotgun, Ash did!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Still think that 12" 870 would be good on quail.

I'm not crazy about very short barrels for "Serious" use. Besides the legal hassles,there's the flash in low light, and some control issues.

However, I could imagine the Geezer Squad being shown any of those super shorties. After eyeing them askance, every last one of them would try them out. Probably at skeet.

 

[PTK]

I could imagine the Geezer Squad being shown any of those super shorties. After eyeing them askance, every last one of them would try them out. Probably at skeet.

If you're ever in the Denver area, I'd be thrilled to let you shoot any of them.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, but no plans at present.

The two that appeal to me the most are the Remington's. That "Whippet" 11 must be fun and I've a soft spot for 870s which you may have noticed.

As for the super shorties, I fired an Ithaca Auto Burglar once. Once was enough.

 

[Leadhead]

Not one person has said that about my guns, but then again, they usually say "Ooo, can I shoot it too?"

I agree, most people like them once they've had a chance to try them....

That's preposterous, Rambo didn't use a sawed off shotgun, Ash did!

True, but then you might get called an "Ash kisser" or some other rediculous name by someone who has not handled a short barreled shotgun or had a bad experience with a pistol grip..


A short barrel is the way to go if you want a stocked but compact gun!
I tried the Knoxx folder but I didn't like the feel and it was not that compact when folded which is a serious flaw in a folder in my opinion.