Coltdriver
Member
Can an 18 inch police issue barrel be cut so that a choke can be installed?
Would you bother with this or just get another barrel?
Shotgun newbie
Would you bother with this or just get another barrel?
Shotgun newbie
Can a Barrel be cut for a choke?
- Thread starter Coltdriver
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Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Getting that thing set up for chokes would be slightly cheaper than getting a new barrel, though I'm not sure Remington offers a Remchoke barrel that short.
Add a forcing cone job and it would come out even, IMO.
The 21" Turkey barrel qualifies, available for say $150 with luck. IIRC, it comes with IC and Extra Full choke tubes. I'd want one constriction in the middle at least. Unfortunately, they do not offer an Improved Modified, curse the luck.
Also, having, just having, a shotgun barrel less than 18" could result in an unpleasant surprise from the Govt.
HTH...
Add a forcing cone job and it would come out even, IMO.
The 21" Turkey barrel qualifies, available for say $150 with luck. IIRC, it comes with IC and Extra Full choke tubes. I'd want one constriction in the middle at least. Unfortunately, they do not offer an Improved Modified, curse the luck.
Also, having, just having, a shotgun barrel less than 18" could result in an unpleasant surprise from the Govt.
HTH...
I picked up a used barrel cut to 18" from 28" by it's former owner. Patterned not to my liking with buckshot, as it had no choke after being cut back. I sent it off and had it reamed and threaded for Rem-Chokes. Now it's my favorite barrel.
Absolutely outstanding buckshot patterns, does nicely also on the clays. I'll try it for the first time on dove here in October.
Edited to ADD:
>>
Using Dial Calipers, measure the outside diameter (od) of your barrel:
Minimum od measurements for:
0.830 od = Tru Choke
0.845 od = Win Choke
0.860+od = Rem Choke
Helps if bore is concentric to OD, as if not, may neccesitate the use of 'thinner' choke tubes.
>>
I was fortunate, as my cut-down barrel measured over .880, and was fairly concentric. This allowed me to use Rem-Chokes, which are somewhat more available to me in my locale.
About 'Short' barrels:
Dave's on the money about the less than 18" barrel. Depending on your local/state government, You can most likely own one, with the proper registration forms, fees, background check, fingerprints, photographs and other requirements IN ADVANCE of the short barrel becoming yours. Having had that experience personally, there is very little value in my mind for the extra effort and expense of the shorter barrel.
My 14" barreled Mossberg is in the back of the safe, the 18" 870, much handier.
All the best,
Absolutely outstanding buckshot patterns, does nicely also on the clays. I'll try it for the first time on dove here in October.
Edited to ADD:
>>
Using Dial Calipers, measure the outside diameter (od) of your barrel:
Minimum od measurements for:
0.830 od = Tru Choke
0.845 od = Win Choke
0.860+od = Rem Choke
Helps if bore is concentric to OD, as if not, may neccesitate the use of 'thinner' choke tubes.
>>
I was fortunate, as my cut-down barrel measured over .880, and was fairly concentric. This allowed me to use Rem-Chokes, which are somewhat more available to me in my locale.
About 'Short' barrels:
Dave's on the money about the less than 18" barrel. Depending on your local/state government, You can most likely own one, with the proper registration forms, fees, background check, fingerprints, photographs and other requirements IN ADVANCE of the short barrel becoming yours. Having had that experience personally, there is very little value in my mind for the extra effort and expense of the shorter barrel.
My 14" barreled Mossberg is in the back of the safe, the 18" 870, much handier.
All the best,
OP
OP
Coltdriver
Member
I don't want to mess with a barrel less than 18"
I thought the front of the barrel was just threaded. Sounds like there may be some additional cutting (shortening) required too??
thanks
I thought the front of the barrel was just threaded. Sounds like there may be some additional cutting (shortening) required too??
thanks
Generally speaking:
The inside of the muzzle is reamed or turned to the diameter of the style of choke tube inserts that you chose using the above references, leaving room at the appropriate area of the inside of the barrel for the threads of the choke tube. Threads are cut for the tubes, tubes are inserted as required.
Re: cutting/shortening:
The 'smith I used 'trued' or 'squared' the muzzle for me, as whomever shortened my barrel to 18'' from the hunting length cut it a very small amount 'off-square'. This was done for asthetics and ease of use, not to shorten the overall length further. Factory 18" barrels will probably need very little further 'squaring' of the muzzle.
I recommend that you use someone that has done this before and it helps peace of mind if they have a good/great reputation. I used a Remington-certified gunsmith, price was reasonable at $50.00 plus shipping, and I bought my first choke tube from him. I have others now that work great, as well.
Hope that helps,
The inside of the muzzle is reamed or turned to the diameter of the style of choke tube inserts that you chose using the above references, leaving room at the appropriate area of the inside of the barrel for the threads of the choke tube. Threads are cut for the tubes, tubes are inserted as required.
Re: cutting/shortening:
The 'smith I used 'trued' or 'squared' the muzzle for me, as whomever shortened my barrel to 18'' from the hunting length cut it a very small amount 'off-square'. This was done for asthetics and ease of use, not to shorten the overall length further. Factory 18" barrels will probably need very little further 'squaring' of the muzzle.
I recommend that you use someone that has done this before and it helps peace of mind if they have a good/great reputation. I used a Remington-certified gunsmith, price was reasonable at $50.00 plus shipping, and I bought my first choke tube from him. I have others now that work great, as well.
Hope that helps,
kotengu
Member.
Who was your 'smith, Rat? Do you have contact info? I've been kicking around the idea of lengthening the forcing cone, and might as well have some threads cut at the same time........
kotengu-
I used Mann & Son Sporting Goods
John Mann
Mann & Son Sporting Goods
515 W. Water Street
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
618-357-2911
He's a busy man, but took to the time to answer all my questions, and I'm very satified with his work. He had a quick turnaround for me this past March, about a week, including shipping.
All the best,
I used Mann & Son Sporting Goods
John Mann
Mann & Son Sporting Goods
515 W. Water Street
Pinckneyville, IL 62274
618-357-2911
He's a busy man, but took to the time to answer all my questions, and I'm very satified with his work. He had a quick turnaround for me this past March, about a week, including shipping.
All the best,
kotengu
Member.
Hmmm - mine's 0.837", so I guess I'd be stuck with the Tru-Choke.
Is one better than the other? Why different chokes?
Is one better than the other? Why different chokes?
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
"Better" may be misleading. Truchokes fit into smaller barrels and still have a fair amount of metal in them.
WHen I had the barrel currently on Frankenstein cut to 21", Truchokes were the only ones that could be used.
Only downside, they're harder to find. The big chains don't carry them.
As to why the makers made different threads to limit interchangeability, they wanted buyers to buy only theirs.
WHen I had the barrel currently on Frankenstein cut to 21", Truchokes were the only ones that could be used.
Only downside, they're harder to find. The big chains don't carry them.
As to why the makers made different threads to limit interchangeability, they wanted buyers to buy only theirs.
Tom C.
Member.
Tru Chokes
I had my old Remington Model 11 cut for Tru chokes. They are available from Brownell's in all the variety you could want.
I had my old Remington Model 11 cut for Tru chokes. They are available from Brownell's in all the variety you could want.
Cooter Brown
Member
Check the Wad Wizard People
They have thin-wall tubes specifically made to drill-and-tap into old cop shotgun barrels. The longer choke tubes can be permanently installed on shorter-than-18" barrels to lengthen them to the legal 18", and on any barrel already 18". They really throw tight and even patterns.
They have thin-wall tubes specifically made to drill-and-tap into old cop shotgun barrels. The longer choke tubes can be permanently installed on shorter-than-18" barrels to lengthen them to the legal 18", and on any barrel already 18". They really throw tight and even patterns.
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