Shotgun project...

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
Working on a shotgun project... trimming a shotgun barrel for a HD project. Adding an extended mag and side velcro ammo attachments... as well as facing the muzzle and squaring it up.

My understanding, is it just takes hand tools to trim, face, etc .... right? Thanks!!
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Well, yes. You can cut the barrel with a hacksaw and face with a cutter that has a pilot. However, you will lose the choke and the front sight in the process.
And of course you need to keep the length in mind. 18" is the min. without a tax stamp.

Before you go cutting on it, is it possible to just swap barrels for one that is already what you want? that way you can put it back if you want to.

And if the barrel is already 20"-22", you're not going to gain any great "handling" by losing a few inches. In fact, depending on the magazine tube you end up with, you may not want to cut it at all.
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
Here is a facing cutter, just FYI


But I would give that project a bit of thought before I started cutting.
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
It can be dine with files and a square and some patience. Lord knows I have done this about a dozen times.

Yes, remember 18"+ and 26" OAL!

I chopped a Remington 870 Express bbl off @ 19.5 because that was a good spot keeping the Vent Rib well supported. Then I have it re drilled and tapped to take rem chokes.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I don't know what type of shotgun the OP is working with but if it's a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, it's pretty easy to just pick up another barrel. Then you have a choice. Plus if you ever do need to use that thing, your attorney will not have to deal with educating a civil jury on why it is OK to "saw off" a shotgun barrel if it's done correctly.

Years ago I cut down a Stevens Model 67 with a hacksaw, square, file and some stones. It took some time to get it looking right and a little cold blue when done.
I have a couple of Remington 870's a with regular butt stocks and 20" barrels. Frankly, that's short enough.
 

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
Gents, I'm working on a spare 870 barrel. The price is a lot less than the going rate a 21" turkey barrel is going for. I have already talked with a couple of gunsmith, and knowing how much I have invested into the project... (got the 870 for an amazing price!!) I enjoy working on them, and think it will be fun. Eventually will have it threaded for choke tubes... but not now. I want to see how it works as bone stock with a 28"... but know that the spare rem 870 barrel should be fine when trimmed down to 20-24"... depending on the extension.

I already have a good hunting shotgun... am looking at building a fun and reliable HD shotgun.
 

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
Well, yes. You can cut the barrel with a hacksaw and face with a cutter that has a pilot. However, you will lose the choke and the front sight in the process.
Plan to replace the front sight with a turkey style fiber optic front sight. No big deal... range is going to be inside the house... longest shot would be 20 yds.
 

MW65

Wetside, Oregon
I chopped a Remington 870 Express bbl off @ 19.5 because that was a good spot keeping the Vent Rib well supported. Then I have it re drilled and tapped to take rem chokes.
That's the trick once I figure out the extension... see where the closest vent rib support is located and go off of that.

Cylinder bore is fine for my needs currently. Will test pattern it when ready.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
OK, an 870 with a 20" barrel and an about a 8.5" Remington extended magazine tube gives you 7 rounds in the mag tube (3 more than the standard tube with 2 3/4" shells). The magazine extension will extend about 1/2" beyond the end of the barrel but that is a non-issue.
 
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CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
That's the trick once I figure out the extension... see where the closest vent rib support is located and go off of that.

Cylinder bore is fine for my needs currently. Will test pattern it when ready.
I went thru a "phase" where seemingly every red headed step child single shot shotgun became mine... SO MANY had rusted or damaged muzzles. I ordered a bunch if different beade's and D&T sets from Brownells I got quite good @ tuning them up. I had a rack in the shop where I re sold them. I didnt make a ton but enough to further my desires!! Id chop the barrel, re install a big bead. Fit a proper recoil pad. Then strip and coat the stocks with bed liner for truck beds. Some I fit rifle sights and others a Williams peep. Folks loved them or I sold too cheaply...

But I made myself a "set" and still have a few on guard duty "around".

1DFF669F-DB27-46A9-A5B4-76F214191C16.jpeg

I got to really like the H&R thumb hole stocks. I also found a guy starting out gun smithing who would thread them for screw -ins for 70$ ea.

That pic is of a 12, 16 & 20. But the .410's have been a specail treat as they are much fun with brass shells I make from 303 Brit cases.

Here is a old Beretta folder thats special to me.
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I also did one 10g Savage I left this one cyl bore and it shoots slugs very well to 50 yards.

91E72808-C603-4F26-9176-1E7711E21BF8.jpeg
 
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