What's an extra 6"?

[ZVP]

Yesterday I picked up my Used/New 20 Ga Uplander SxS! Origonally, I'd planned on cutting the bbl's to 20" and leaving them cylnder bore but the more I handle this little double, the more I find that the extra barrel length isn't that bad!
I also started envisioning how big my first choice (Rem 12 Ga 870 20" bbl) would have been and I realised that I don't have to modify this gun and loose the changeable chokes and I could still have power (3" chambers) and have a fun gun also!
Chances are a burgler would be met with my Model 36 Chief and the Shotgun would be used for longer term sieges. Again, the longer barrels wouldn't hurt.
Secondly, aside from a pure hacksaw job, I
d have to take the gun to a shop and spend another $100 for the barrel chop and chamfer...
Leaving the little Stoger long, is looking more promising every minute.
Do any of you use a standard Hunting Shotgun for Home Defense???
Thanks,
ZVP

 

[rcmodel]

Certainly.

A 26" double is already the same length as a 20" pump gun.

Your 26" uplander is 42" OAL.
The 20" Stoger pump is 41 3/4" OAL.

I wouldn't cut it on a bet.

rc

 

[Fred Fuller]

Since the receiver is shorter on a SXS than on a pump, the overall length is shorter too. Absolutely nothing wrong with keeping yours as it is...

 

[ZVP]

Thanks!

You guys convinced me of what I alreadythought anyhow! Thanks for the support!
ZVP

 

[foghornl]

Do any of you use a standard Hunting Shotgun for Home Defense???

I have and still do, sort of....

HomeLand Security Shotgun is a Maverick 88 pump (don't own any 'twice-barreled shoots-guns') with the 28" MOD choke. After the SECOND time I poked a hole in the wall with the muzzle, Mrs. Foggy approved the 18-1/2" barrel

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I use my full size 870 with a 28 inch barrel but I have a house that is an open concept and no hall ways so it not an issue for me. Your double is plenty short enough to leave alone.

 

[lobo9er]

I like my stevens cut to 18.5. Sure 26" is as long as a standard HD pump but my stevens measures 35ish (If not for legal problems it would be cut right back to the fore grip.) What do I gain? I like it. Also 6-7 inches does make it easier to store in certain situation. To each his own obviously.

All that said I wouldn't mind another SxS for hunting purposes.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Remember that short barrels have a greater muzze blast and some trap ranges do not allow the use of short barrel shotguns.

 

[Skribs]

Will it work? Yes. Is it the most optimal solution? I would argue not. I don't think the extra barrel length offers much, especially at home defense ranges. If I were to get a SxS for HD specifically, it would have a barrel length under 20 inches (and that short OAL would be the only reason I would consider one over a repeater).

 

[wgp]

For hunting I went through a period of wanting very short barrels, thinking they'd be quicker to bring up in the field. After a couple of seasons I concluded this was wrong -- they come up quickly but are a poor choice for smooth swinging on passing shots. I'm most content with 24" or maybe 26" on a semi, 28" on a double. The prior comments are right that you can do with longer barrels on a double due to the shorter receiver.

Defense shotgun? Short as legal to make it easier to maneuver in close quarters. A telescoping stock on a defense gun is a good thing to me also.

 

[Deer_Freak]

People have been defending themselves in small cabins with a 30" full choke double barrel for a long time. If you ever visit a log cabin that is over 100 years old you will see it is small and had to be cramped with 12 kids sleeping in the cabin. In a modern home the living room and kitchen is larger than an old cabin. No one cut the barrel off on their shotgun because it had to be an effective hunting weapon. Yet, they managed to fend off Indians and bandits in close quarters. Unlike today the question was not if they had to defend their home but when they would have to defend their home. If you are proficient with a shotgun length is only what you make of it.

 

[rcmodel]

+1 Deer_Freak.
No better said in this thread!!

My daddy ran a farm for 50 years with a 30" single-barrel full choke 12 ga & a 20" 30-30 Winchester.
Including one or two confrontations on a 8' x 10' back screen porch when I was just a kid I still remember!

He died of old age.
Not of "too long"a shotgun or rifle.

My dad, a WWII vet, would have down as well with a 45" muzzle loader musket too I betcha.

It's way easier to poke somebody in the chest with a 30" barrel to get your point across without getting too close, then it is with an 18" barrel!!

All this "18" shotgun is necessary" is Internet BS that nobody knew they had to have in order to defend hearth & home successfully.
Until the Internet told us so.

And the Internet don't lie.
Right?

I'd be interested to know how many folks who say you have to have an 18" shotgun have ever in their life used a shotgun in a confrontation in their home??

rc

 

[lobo9er]

I don't think anyone is saying you "need" an 18 inch barrel. Some may find it handy. We live in economic times where a shotgun is easy to afford (that can change) I'd say with in a year anyone could buy a decent shotgun. So having a dedicated shotgun for HD isn't a ridiculous idea. My slug gun, a smooth bore ITHACA 37 DEERSLAYER, 24 I think barrel is one of my favorite guns. Every deer so far I have killed has been with it. But to be honest doing drives tramping through brush it can be a bit much, especially well slung on your back. Catching on branches, vines, etc. I have taken other shotguns on drives. My 20inch 870 Wingmaster is a lot handier for that, and saw alot of woods time this year, just no deer while I had it. And if given a choice between the 2 I would prefer to use the 870 for home defense. Would my 37 work? Sure it would, it would be all I need. But even bringing it out for hunting/cleaning/range time, I have on accident banged doorways and walls. And if its slung my back I have to duck into door ways while coming in from hunting.

RC I am sure there are plenty of times 18 inch barrel shotguns have been used in self defense as have longer barreled brethren

quick 1st video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drrqA1a8zpA

Doesn't look like the burglar was making fun of that puny barrel.

 

[ZVP]

I know that the standard barrels were initally a homeowners choice but with the internet, we get convinced that we "need" certain things we really don't
I bought the 20SxS because of some sholder problems with my Wife and also I have a bone spur on the left sholder too. I figgured the scaled down double will fit the bill.
Now that I have it home, I have become fond of the 26" bbls and the straight English stock, It creates a classy look and just fits as-is! I like the old European "Upland Look" to it and if I really want a shorter gun the Hock Shop where I got this one has severl more to buy and cut-off...
Now just locating a dealer with approperate shotshells is gonna be the trick! The post Obama treeors have cleared all the shelves in my area! Right now the BEST I could do was locate a couple overpriced boxes of 2 3/4 #7 1/2's. They will work in a pinch but I have to pound the bricks and find some Buckshot loads!
ZVP