Cutting down a Mossberg 500A 28in barrel

[SUE ROVR]

I want to cut 9.5 inches off this thing.

(18.5 is safe legal correct?, 18in min, .5 to CYA)

How? I have hack saw, cut off wheel, plasma cutter Any "real" negatives?

Also, after I chop it, how short can I make the overall length of the gun. I am thinking of a pistol grip.

I know I should just buy an 18.5 in barrel but . . .

 

[RRTX]

I can't really help with the best way, but minimum overall length has to be 26". You are correct on the legal barrel length.

 

[Third_Rail]

I'm actually giving up on buying a new bbl and doing this too, on my Mossberg 500a as well.


Measure three, four, five times. With different tape measures.

Make ABSOLUTELY sure that you're cutting at 18.5".

 

[SUE ROVR]

humm.

Now you got me worried because I was going to measure 9.5in from the end.

Well, I can double check measuring the whole thing first.

 

[Third_Rail]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.


The way the ATF measures it is from the face of the bolt when the action is closed to the end of the barrel.


If they drop an 18" rod in with the action closed and can see any part of it, you're in trouble.

Measure from the start of the chamber (where the bolt would start) for 18.5", and there you go.

 

[pittspilot]

500A 18.5 inch barrels are like $70. The other sizes are far more expensive.

I would just buy one, rather then cut a perfectly good 24 inch.

 

[Fed168]

Don't forget rechoking the barrel.

 

[mnrivrat]

If it is a non-ribbed barrel you can begain the cut using a pipe cutter. This will help keep it square on the end. ( use a rap of masking tape at the cut to help keeping on the mark)

Actualy you can use the pipe cutter to cut the whole way through but make sure you take out the ridge's that form.

Otherwise a hacksaw will run through the soft steel in no time and works well. And if barrel is ribbed you can't use the pipe cutter anyway.

And yes - you will have a cyl-bore barrel with no choke, and will have to replace a front sight making sure you get it on at top dead center.

The 26" overall length has been mentioned as well as the 18" minumum barrel length measured from the rear of the chamber (do not measure from rear of the barrel extension) to the front of the barrel . Leaving a little extra is a good idea.

After cutting make sure the front is square - you can do this with a file and a square . And of course deburr the cut.

 

[pete f]

ASK your local gunshop to cut it or at least to square it up. Yeah you an cut it with a pipe cutter or a hack saw, but getting the muzzle end to be perfectly square is critical for good patterning and accuracy. The tool that is used by a gunsmith has a bore riding pilot that hold the cutters exactly perpendicular to the bore. We used to charge 25 bucks to clean up a customer cut barrel to a straight cylinder bore.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I second the motion that you pick up a new 18.5" barrel and keep the field barrel you have intact. They turn up on sale from time to time, I have seen them in the past for $50 or less.

But if ya gotta do it yourself, I recommend a good pipe cutter, cutting oil or something to lube it as it cuts, and making sure you measure twice and cut once. DO measure from the bolt face and do leave Uncle an extra .5" over the minimum 18". Otherwise it could be very much a false economy to DIY. That $10K fine for getting caught with it too short would buy a lot of barrels and the 10 years is a long time, not to mention a felony rap that never goes away.

lpl/nc

edited to add-

Forgot to mention, if you want your bead put back on it's a LOT easier to figger out where the top of the barrel is while it's still in one piece. If you plan on letting a 'smith put the bead back on, let them cut the barrel for you too...

 

[Onmilo]

Best to cut a shotgun barrel to a measured 19 inches, this will avoid any potential conflict with Law Enforcement.

You will need to face the barrel back to square once the cut is made and 19" gives some free play to work with.

If you don't reface the barrel your shot pattern will go all kinds of weird directions.

 

[J. Parker]

I recently cut my Win 1200 down to 19". Cut it down to 19" and then no worries. My Win 1200 cost me $100. Great for home defense and makes a nice "camp gun". I cut mine down with a hack saw, cleaned it up and re-blued it. Honestly, you don't even need a front sight. I was just outside and shot some low recoil OO buck into a cardboard box at seven yards. Nine pellets formed a five inch group on a torso sized target, no problema. When camping season nears I'll see how slugs group.





John

 

[Kevlarman]

Is it necessary to re-crown a shotgun barrel after you cut it? If so, how is it done? Would a dremel tool and polishing compound suffice?

 

[dav]

I suppose if you just have to have a project gun, this will be less expensive than many options.

But a shotgun barrel is not the same thickness through its whole length. You will not end up with something equivalent to a factory barrel when you are done.

Also, I would start with the pistol grip. (I have one if you want it). After you have decided you like that, THEN cut the barrel down to the legal length for the finished product. You may not be able to shorten the barrel to 18" if you need the whole shotgun to be 26" when you are done.

 

[Onmilo]

You don't recrown a shotgun barrel, you reface it to 90 degree square.
Yes it is neccessary if you want to hit anything at any range past point blank.

 

[赤悪魔]

saw and grinde. You may want help thou

 

[foghornl]

Mossberg's website still lists the 18.5" cylinder choke plain barrel for $74. You can sometimes find them for less at a local stocking Mossberg dealer, or occasionally for sale in various forums.

I bought mine for $69+tax, figued it was worth that not having to mess with cutters, grinding, polishing, etc....and guaranteed legal. Now I have the short "Homeland Security/Bambi Getter" barrel, and the original 28" Modified Choke for other hunting purposes.