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Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel #5744675 05/15/15 04:00 AM
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DannyB Offline OP
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Considering the value of the barrel, and the drive to a gunsmith that has been recommended, I am considering cutting off a vent rib barrel. I don't have a chop saw. And I figure that would make the rib get hot and detach anyway.

Tell if I'm about to screw this up. I am considering a high quality hack saw blade, or two. I will secure the barrel in a vice with rags, and squared with the vice with a carpenter square. And from there I will keep the blade against the vice for a square cut. I will go slow to keep the temp down.

After it is cut off I can touch it up by hand and probably do nothing more than paint the end, (matte finish anyway). This is a Remington Express barrel, not a high dollar over/under.

End result is an 870 project gun. It starts with a 70s era Wingmaster. About the only original Wingmaster part of it left when I get through will be the receiver and bolt assembly.


Last edited by DannyB; 05/15/15 07:36 PM.
Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5744691 05/15/15 04:29 AM
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Your plan will work fine. Cutting a shotgun barrel isn't really all that difficult. You can even bend it in the vise after you've cut it to adjust the point of impact and where you want it to pattern with the load you choose.

Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5744701 05/15/15 04:49 AM
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Your plan is fine...pass on the bending.


A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC
Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5744735 05/15/15 07:36 AM
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Colt W. Knight Offline
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You can buy an 18" bead sight barrel from cabelas for 129$, any shorter than that, and you need a stamp.

A cable clamp or similar makes a good guide for cutting barrels or pipes.

Last edited by Colt W. Knight; 05/15/15 07:43 AM.
Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5744877 05/15/15 12:49 PM
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I'd cut it at 18 1/4" to be sure that you will not get into trouble. If you try for 18" exactly, and then clean it up with a file etc. then it's easy to get undersize where an overzealous game warden or LEO can get you into a world of trouble with the ATF.


Kind regards, charlesb


Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5745189 05/15/15 04:35 PM
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With it being vent rib you are kind if limited on what you can cut it at. Basically you have to cut it flush with the front of one of the rib upright posts. I have an 1100 barrel that is 20" because of this.


A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC
Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5745484 05/15/15 07:28 PM
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DannyB Offline OP
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If I go forward with this it looks like the cut will be around 18 5/8 or 20 3/4. Thanks for the feedback!

Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5745858 05/16/15 12:23 AM
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Classic Rocks Offline
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Why would you cut up a wingmaster when you could sell it and buy 2 Hawk/Norinco 870 clones with 18" barrels?

Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5745922 05/16/15 01:22 AM
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It isn't rocket science. Don't get all detailed in the high quality blade, get the highest tooth count blade of good quality. If you use too many rags be careful, you may not get a good grip on the barrel. Some smiths have cut off sections of barrels, maybe one will give you 8" to practice a few cuts. Take your time..


The Greatest Enemy of knowledge is not ignorance,
it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5745997 05/16/15 02:07 AM
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I did mine a couple years ago. There really is nothing to it, but consider that you may at some point want a choke in the barrel, and that will run you $75 ish plus a new bead, which will be $15-20. I regret not just buying an 18" barrel and keeping the 28" for a loaner dove gun. I thought I wanted cylinder bore for a house gun, but not after patterning it.

Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: Classic Rocks] #5746089 05/16/15 02:53 AM
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DannyB Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Classic Rocks
Why would you cut up a wingmaster when you could sell it and buy 2 Hawk/Norinco 870 clones with 18" barrels?


The Wingmaster has a factory blue skeet barrel which is not getting cut. This barrel I'm considering cutting is an extra that came with it. It is an Express barrel. I haven't seen the brands you mentioned, but have looked at others online. I would have $92.00 in this one if I bought it. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=483775228 There are others a few bucks either side of this price.

I haven't made up my mind for sure yet, but am considering cutting this and putting a BIG front night sight on the rib. I could see that a lot better in low light conditions than just a bead on a non-ribbed barrel. Since about all I have used for about 45 years is vent ribbed 1100s and 870s what I am considering will be more natural to me. I think being natural and instinctive would be preferred.

And KC I still have other barrels as well.

Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5746110 05/16/15 03:06 AM
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18 5/8" would work great. Cut it, clean it up, and touch up with a good cold blue.


Avenger Firearms 214-577-5818
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Re: Cutting Off A Shotgun Barrel [Re: DannyB] #5746126 05/16/15 03:11 AM
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Well why didn't you say so. That changes everything!
Chop the crap out of the express barrel. If you are near Rowlett, tools and opinions are rent free.

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