Plugging a shotgun

[Lennyjoe]

Since Arizona has the infamous 3 shell shotgun law for hunting and I have an 835 that takes up to 7 each 2 3/4" shells I have to plug the tube.

So what is the best way of doing it? My pops did it a long time ago but I dont remember what he used.

The plug has to be 9 1/2" inches long. Was thinking of some kind of steel tubing. Also, should it be small enough to fit inside the spring that way the spring wont be compressed all the time.

Imputs?

 

[sm]

Wooden dowl cut to fit inside the spring with a pc of wood larger in diameter tha sits atop spring , glued and secured with brass screw. "T" shape if you will.

A pc of PVC works, but the Delrin solid with a cap as per above works better "T"

If you have wood or Delrin turn on a lathe and skip the cap and screw hassle. This IMO is the way to go.

HTH

 

[TrapperReady]

Most often I've seen (and used) a piece of dowel rod. I've known quite a few people to use pencil (when the mag tube is shorter to begin with).

I'm not sure about your particular shotgun, but usually you can get the end-cap off (there may also be some form of spring retainer to remove). Put the plug down the center of the spring and replace the end bits.

If you do use something porous, just be sure to check after using in wet conditions and clean the mag tube out occasionally.

 

[Coltdriver]

I got my first shotgun about a month ago. I recently read through our small game rules in Colorado regarding a shotgun and learned that they limit you to three shells total, two in the tube and one in the chamber for small game hunting.

So I asked around and picked up a piece of 3/8 wood dowel. I cut it so that only two shells could be put in the tube and then I drilled a hole across the top 1/2 inch of the dowell and safety wired it to the top of the spring.

Probably no need to do so, but now the dowel is securely held in place.

Works fine. Cost 98 cents.

 

[Moparmike]

You cant have more than 3 rounds at all times, or just hunting?

"A man who asks is a fool for five minutes-a man who does not ask is a fool forever"

 

[Sisco]

Dowell rod will work fine but be sure to use some type of sealer (paint etc.) if you plan on leaving it in there.
You don't want the wood to absorb any moisture then release it into the magazine over time.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I think the ole man used PVC pipe or something to that avail.

The 835 has a threaded tube. I took it apart last night. The end cap screws off but that end of the tube is capped off. So you just unthread the tube out of the reciever housing.

Good call on the wood collecting moisture. Not like theres much of it here in Tucson but if I go back to Ohio for ducks then it might be a factor.

Then again, I would have to change the length of the plug when I go up to 3" or 3 1/2"

 

[foghornl]

May depend on your particular state's laws, but if you are limited to 3 shells, it has to be 3 of the shortest standard shells.

Hunting buddy of mine got busted by (I thought) an over-zealous game & fish cop on this. He had made his own plug for his 870 Remmy, cause he lost the original. Sized it so that the mag only held 2 of the 3" Mag shells, which he was using in the duck blind, but the G&F Cop took those out, and was able to get 3 of the 2-3/4" to latch in the mag. Busted for "unplugged shotgun magazine".

 

[Lennyjoe]

I personally think the 3 shell laws need to be thrown out of the regs for Hunting.

It just dont make sense to me.

Of course neither does the 10 round law that they put on us for handguns too.