2007-01-28 08:28:11 · 11 answers · asked by Big E 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Not going to comment on the method to shorten one. Just a few comments.
First off, cut it at 18.5"....not 18! Be safe, not sorry. I'd suggest that you take it to a smith, too. A lathe and a facing cutter is five mins of work.
Cutting a barrel down is the best way to go if you want a good tactical barrel. It leaves you with a thicker-walled barrel identical to the specialty barrels (mil and police type) without the extra cost. If thin walls were better as some folks suggest, the mil and the police wouldn't pay extra for thick-walled barrels....and they get theirs the same way only the manufacturer does the cutting.
For 18.5" tactical barrels, a good cutoff beats a store-bought in every way. That's why some gunsmiths make so many of them. We can buy 28" plain barrels at $45 and sell them to you folks as military grade for $125.
And btw, an 18.5" barrel isn't *supposed* to hit anything at 35 meters. It's designed to hit things up close and personal. That's why thicker beats thin. When you're up close, playtime can often get rough and a bent barrel is no fun at all. And chokes??? Um, you don't use a choke on an 18.5" tactical barrel. You WANT cylinder bore. Does anyone even MAKE a choked 18.5" barrel? Off the top of my head I can't think of a one.
2007-01-29 06:20:59 · answer #1 · answered by randkl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you must saw off your shotgun barrel, leave an extra 1/4 inch or so, 'cause there are some "Johnny Law's" out there who get real nit-picky with sawed-offs & you could wind up in a world of hurt if you run into one with an elastic tape measure and a bad attitude.
If you don't care about the appearance of the chop job, you can use a hacksaw (double-barrel) or a pipe-cutter (single-barrel) and a file for clean-up. For a really pretty job, a gunsmith might do a clean, LEGAL job for $25-30 dollars.
2007-01-28 16:48:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Generally a bad idea. Better to buy the extra barrel. That will add to the value of your shotgun (you got two usable barrels).
Years ago I picked a real cheap Rem. 1100 12ga. because the previous owner hacksawed the barrel to 18.5 inches. He ruined the barrel. It would not pattern properly and slug rounds "grouped" 12 inches wide and a foot to the right at 50 yards.
If you must do this have a gunsmith do it. He will have the correct tools to do it right.
2007-01-28 23:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Don't listen the guys with the hacksaw idea. That last thing you want is gun that send ammo out the end going all squirrely. Buy a barrel. It you want to part with yours, sell it on ebay and use the money to buy another one. Sure a hacksaw is the cheap way to go but it sure isn't the safest.
2007-01-29 13:33:33 · answer #4 · answered by Heythere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet would probably be to just buy a 18" barrel. Most shotgun manufacturers sell them. Otherwise, take your shotgun to a competent gunsmith.
2007-01-28 16:35:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is buy a 18inch barrel because it is solid.
If you need to shorten your 24inch barrel take it to a gunsmith to shorten it for you.
Don't use a hacksaw thats just gonna cause you trouble
2007-01-28 16:47:41 · answer #6 · answered by Dan 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hacksaw. And by the way, a 20 inch barrel will provide about the same dispersion rate, but also allow for one extra shell ot be in the tube below. (assuming it's a 12 gauge)
2007-01-28 16:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by A5150Ylee 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
from my experience , the longer barrel is better than shorter ones (makes less dispersion on same distance compared to short , thus longer range) , but anyway . the best thing is to buy one , don't saw it because it will be equivalent to a shotgun with "cylinder" choke which will be of small effect on ranges greater than 30-35 metres , also there is something in the barrel's engineering which make gun manufacturers make barrel's steel thickness greater mildly in the last 8cms (even if it is not of changeble chokes).
2007-01-29 12:34:32 · answer #8 · answered by most 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
man if you just cut the barrell off you will have no choke, which means the gun wont pattern and is good for nothing but close range defense. To do it right you basicly have two choices. One buy a new 18" barrell or two go to your local gun smith and have him measure your barrel to see if it can be cut and rethreaded for a new choke system.
2007-01-28 18:17:55 · answer #9 · answered by jmmccollum 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
cut it of, use a hacksaw. or buy a shorter barrel 18 inch is consider a riot gun
2007-01-28 16:39:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋