Cutting a side by side with a vent rib

[Ranger Roberts]

So I am sitting around waiting for my form 1 to come back (I am at the 2 month mark, I know I have a long time to go) and I have a question. I am going to be chopping down a 12 ga side by side with a vent ribbed barrel. Is the vent rib going to pose any problems when I cut it down? While talking about it with a co-worker (who claims to know everything in the world but I wouldn't be surprised if he has any guns other than his duty weapon) he said that if I cut down a vent ribbed barrel it damages the structural integrity and the barrels will split apart. Is this a possibility? It seems pretty far fetched as I was always under the impression that the vent rib is for a sight plane and to help cool the barrel. I have a few SBR's but this is the first time I am "building" an SBS, so I am sorry for the "beginner" question. Thanks!

 

[Arizona_Mike]

It depends on if the barrel and rib are soldered the entire way.

I used a hacksaw on my and then faced on an end mill. You want to end on a rib, of course.

Mike

 

[Sam1911]

It isn't likely to fall apart. It is quite likely to have a triangular void under the rib and between the barrels that you probably will want to fill with something. Some folks pack it with JB Weld. A more elegant solution would be soldering in a plug like the original muzzle had.

 

[rcmodel]

See above.

There will be open voids between the barrel ribs where they are soldered together.

Look carefully at the muzzles before you cut and you should be able to see the filler plugs were they are soldered between the barrels and the ribs holding the barrels together.

As for the vent rib itself?
It offers no structural integrity to the barrels.
But you will need to find a chopping place that leaves a rib support at the muzzle too keep the rib end from flopping around like a dead chicken when you shoot it.


rc

 

[Ranger Roberts]

Excellent advice guys. Thanks!