No manufacturer makes what I want, so I'll do it myself, maybe

[Jason_W]

Continuing to riff on my earlier thread about the 20 gauge being at least somewhat under appreciated (opinions differed, of course) my brain is stuck on the idea of a short barreled, 20 gauge "utility gun".

Requirements
Pump action (I handload and pumps are a little less picky about things like crimps than semi-autos)
Short-ish, 18-21" barrel threaded for choke tubes
Removable magazine extension
Optics ready

Intended Use
Everything but wing shooting

I'm not aware of any manufacturer that offers all of the above right out of the box in 20 gauge.

What I'm thinking of doing is picking up a 90s vintage 870 express which can be had for a song if you shop around a bit, having an optics rail installed on the receiver, and improving trigger pull with one of these https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...ington-870-11-87-1100-7600-7400-750-2-to-4-lb

I'll also order a short, choke tube ready barrel and either refinish or replace the stock with something a little more durable than the birch they come with.

I'm not sure what the cost of a competent drill and tap job is, but I'm thinking I could accomplish the whole project for less than a new wingmaster.

 

[HB]

Mossberg and Remington both make youth or turkey guns that will work. If you want to have something made you can.

HB

 

[Jason_W]

The trouble with youth guns is lop. I like the 20 gauge but I’m 6’2” with long arms. Youth and compact models mean I have bunch up.

 

[George P]

Or add a spacer or two to the stock

 

[rbernie]

You can easily put a normal stock on a youth model 500 or 870.

 

[Jason_W]

The other drawback to a new model 870 (in addition to not being as well made as the old ones) is the dimple in the mag tube that retains the spring. This typically has to be drilled out in order to add an extension.

Plus, it just might be that I’m craving a project.

 

[PapaG]

Go with your plan. Sounds right. With care, a drill press and a drill press vice you could put thr rail on yourself. I've done many

 

[sixgunner455]

I recently bought a compact 870 20g that was barely used for $200. Has a 21" barrel and choke tube threaded. Came with a Modified tube, and I bought an IC. I'm not near 6'2", but I like it. Just bring the butt inboard to the pec muscle and go to town. My son and I shot some trap with it, and I shot some cow pie drills with it. Works quite well.

Where do you get an extension tube? I'm probably going to get or fabricate a light mount, but I think I'll need at least a +1 tube to make it work right. Not interested in putting a red dot on it at present.

 

[Mr. Standfast]

You can easily put a normal stock on a youth model 500 or 870.

That would probably be cheaper than a new barrel. Set up a standing search with e-mail notifications on eBay, and a good stock from someone who has restocked his gun in self-indulgent wood should come along soon.

Actually those are some of the easiest guns to restock yourself, from scratch, which would be pretty rewarding as a project goes. Here is my stock-drilling.... er.... thing, with lengths of shelving support or wood clamped on to keep the drill central.

 

[WestKentucky]

Continuing to riff on my earlier thread about the 20 gauge being at least somewhat under appreciated (opinions differed, of course) my brain is stuck on the idea of a short barreled, 20 gauge "utility gun".

Requirements
Pump action (I handload and pumps are a little less picky about things like crimps than semi-autos)
Short-ish, 18-21" barrel threaded for choke tubes
Removable magazine extension
Optics ready

Intended Use
Everything but wing shooting

I'm not aware of any manufacturer that offers all of the above right out of the box in 20 gauge.

What I'm thinking of doing is picking up a 90s vintage 870 express which can be had for a song if you shop around a bit, having an optics rail installed on the receiver, and improving trigger pull with one of these https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...ington-870-11-87-1100-7600-7400-750-2-to-4-lb

I'll also order a short, choke tube ready barrel and either refinish or replace the stock with something a little more durable than the birch they come with.

I'm not sure what the cost of a competent drill and tap job is, but I'm thinking I could accomplish the whole project for less than a new wingmaster.

Centerpunch for locating hole is about 6 bucks. Drill bit and tap set is like 5 bucks at Lowe’s. You sure you want to pay a gunsmith $100 for a 10 minute job that will cost you 12 bucks or so and leave you with tools to use later?

 

[rbernie]

Make sure you use a bottoming tap unless you expect to completely penetrate the receiver.

 

[WestKentucky]

Make sure you use a bottoming tap unless you expect to completely penetrate the receiver.

Penetrating the reciever is the only way to go for this. Even factory drilled receivers are through drilled.

 

[Merle1]

The trouble with youth guns is lop. I like the 20 gauge but I’m 6’2” with long arms. Youth and compact models mean I have bunch up.

I bought a youth model 870 in 20 ga, then replaced the buttstock with a plastic adult length - works just fine.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Beware sir, that is the first step towards the terrible - nay horrible disease of OMB... Obsessive Machine Builder. It starts with a ventilated rib and as you fall deeper and deeper into the insane grip you one day find yourself with milling machines, turret lathes, foundry furnaces and other insidious tools of mass construction. For the sake of all those that love you, turn back now before you end up realizing you need to move because you don't have enough space for a shop, your long suffering wife has to put a framed picture of you on the kitchen table so she won't always have to eat alone and she will be forced to use that shotgun to keep the metal screen doors from being melted down to make the base for a key slot machine.

 

[Jason_W]

Beware sir, that is the first step towards the terrible - nay horrible disease of OMB... Obsessive Machine Builder. It starts with a ventilated rib and as you fall deeper and deeper into the insane grip you one day find yourself with milling machines, turret lathes, foundry furnaces and other insidious tools of mass construction. For the sake of all those that love you, turn back now before you end up realizing you need to move because you don't have enough space for a shop, your long suffering wife has to put a framed picture of you on the kitchen table so she won't always have to eat alone and she will be forced to use that shotgun to keep the metal screen doors from being melted down to make the base for a key slot machine.

Haha. I honestly don’t have near enough money to go down that rabbit hole.

My wife and I just bought our first home, so any tool budget I might have is going to have to lean more toward the carpentry end of the spectrum.

 

[Jason_W]

Centerpunch for locating hole is about 6 bucks. Drill bit and tap set is like 5 bucks at Lowe’s. You sure you want to pay a gunsmith $100 for a 10 minute job that will cost you 12 bucks or so and leave you with tools to use later?

That’s a great idea in theory, but I have 0 experience with that type of project. I’d rather my first foray into the world of machining not be on a gun.

Man’s got to know his limitations and all that.

 

[WestKentucky]

That’s a great idea in theory, but I have 0 experience with that type of project. I’d rather my first foray into the world of machining not be on a gun.

Man’s got to know his limitations and all that.

Bar stock is really cheap to practice on. Buy square tube drops from your local metal supply shop. It takes very little skill to do this job.

 

[Merle1]

Bar stock is really cheap to practice on. Buy square tube drops from your local metal supply shop. It takes very little skill to do this job.

you can also get square/rectangular tubing at places like Home Depot & other hardware stores.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Haha. I honestly don’t have near enough money to go down that rabbit hole.

My wife and I just bought our first home, so any tool budget I might have is going to have to lean more toward the carpentry end of the spectrum.

https://makezine.com/2014/02/10/patdelany/

The true OMB relies on imagination not money. The beginning of the madness - a milling machine can be made from parts cast from common aluminum mixed with a bit of zinc in a foundry furnace constructed from a bucket and a flower pot crucible. Such publications such as the "machinists Handboook" are printed in the devil's realm and hardware stores are an insult to the peace and dignity of an honest person.

OK, now that the histrionics are over with... with a bit of imagination the most humble of hand tool can have the use of a jig that will create a precise instrument. I was blessed (or cursed in some person's perspective) with the influence of a self taught engineer that could make pretty much any kind of tool he desired out of the junk pile out back. Just keep in mind, when you do succeed in building that foundry furnace capable of melting stainless steel, your wife is not going to be impressed if you test it with her favorite cooking utensils.