cutting a 12ga barrel.
08-24-2009, 02:54 PM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,867
cutting a 12ga barrel.
I am wanting a new gun. I am thinking a home defense 12ga. I was looking at the JIC mossberg 500. I think i have a better idea though. I can buy the mossberg 500 combo for like 270 bucks at walmart. IT comes with a 28 inch smoothbore and a rifled deer barrel. If i bought the combo can i take the barrel on the 500 i have no cut it off at 18 1/2 inchs for a home defense gun or would that border on illegal. Also does anyone know where i can get a combo 500 with a rifled barrel and a 18 inch barrel.
08-24-2009, 06:33 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,482
Bigtim,
You need to check with your local laws and regulations first. But most places have an 18" minimum legal length for shotgun barrels. As far as I know, there's no law that says a gunsmith has to be the one to shorten a barrel as opposed to your average joe.
I did the same thing with my winchester 1300 pump a couple of years ago. I actually didn't have use for the smoothbore slug barrel, so I cut the barrel with a hacksaw to 18.5". You have to be very careful to cut it evenly. I then used some sandpaper to polish off the rough edges and even it out. Then, I used a re-blueing kit to re-blue the end of the barrel that got cut and sanded.
The main things to remember- first check and see if it's legal where you live! Next, be very careful to not cut it shorter than 18" or whatever is legal- if anything, give it an extra inch to be sure. Make sure to make an even, straight cut and sand the edges well.
It's worked fine for me- I shoot #4 buckshot through it, and it does the job. Remember that by doing this, you're removing the choke, so the shot spreads out VERY quickly. I'd estimate the maximum effective range of mine to be about 10 - 15 yards- after that, it spreads out just too much. But at close range it really blows stuff up!
You need to check with your local laws and regulations first. But most places have an 18" minimum legal length for shotgun barrels. As far as I know, there's no law that says a gunsmith has to be the one to shorten a barrel as opposed to your average joe.
I did the same thing with my winchester 1300 pump a couple of years ago. I actually didn't have use for the smoothbore slug barrel, so I cut the barrel with a hacksaw to 18.5". You have to be very careful to cut it evenly. I then used some sandpaper to polish off the rough edges and even it out. Then, I used a re-blueing kit to re-blue the end of the barrel that got cut and sanded.
The main things to remember- first check and see if it's legal where you live! Next, be very careful to not cut it shorter than 18" or whatever is legal- if anything, give it an extra inch to be sure. Make sure to make an even, straight cut and sand the edges well.
It's worked fine for me- I shoot #4 buckshot through it, and it does the job. Remember that by doing this, you're removing the choke, so the shot spreads out VERY quickly. I'd estimate the maximum effective range of mine to be about 10 - 15 yards- after that, it spreads out just too much. But at close range it really blows stuff up!
08-24-2009, 08:02 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,526
Under the National Firearms Act it is illegal for a private citizen to possess a sawed-off modern smokeless powder shotgun (a barrel length less than 18 in. or 46 cm and an overall length less than 26 inches) without a tax-stamped permit from the Burea of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which requires a background check and a $200.00 fee for every transfer.
I am not aware of any companies that make a 18" barrel for the Mossberg 500, most tend to go with the 18.5" barrel just to be safe (I presume).
You can cut the barrel off if you want to, just make sure you have a straight cut....personally though I would just buy the 18" or a 20" barrel and add an extended mag to it.
Pattern some #1 or larger buckshot (remember you are responsible for every pellet that comes out of that thing).
Put a good flashlight on it, or a Surefire forearm, get some training and you are good to go.
I am not aware of any companies that make a 18" barrel for the Mossberg 500, most tend to go with the 18.5" barrel just to be safe (I presume).
You can cut the barrel off if you want to, just make sure you have a straight cut....personally though I would just buy the 18" or a 20" barrel and add an extended mag to it.
Pattern some #1 or larger buckshot (remember you are responsible for every pellet that comes out of that thing).
Put a good flashlight on it, or a Surefire forearm, get some training and you are good to go.
