Shotgun question

[rtimgray]

Here's a question for the firearm braintrust: I've been wanting a double barreled shotgun for a while, but haven't really found anything in my budget (I am a low-budget shopper). I have been looking for a 12 gauge side by side, although I wouldn't necessarily turn away any gauge if the gun otherwise met my criteria. My intended uses are very limited: probably shooting clay pigeons at home, and that's about it (I'm not a hunter, although if I did hunt, I would probably use a different shotgun - my boy has talked about going rabbit hunting, and we have millions of the critters in our fields, so...anyway). I would prefer a shotgun with a relatively shorter barrel - somewhere between 20 and 24 inches.

I came across an old side-by-side at a pawn shop a couple of days ago that is in my price range, and it is in decent condition, and as near as I can tell, it has no historical value to speak of - it's just an old shotgun. The only problem is that the barrels are a whopping 32" long. I'm guessing that maybe it was a bird gun? If you haven't already guessed - what is the downside of cutting the barrels shorter? There is no choke in either barrel, they are just smooth cylinder bore. There is some taper to barrels, and I it does have a little bead in the ridge between the barrels that I would probably remount, but I'm guessing that is just a little drill-and-tap work. Any idea if I shorten the barrels to about 22" or so how this will affect the pattern? Will I be able to hit a clay pigeon at 30-40 yards (not because of skill, but just because there will be no pattern to the shot)?

I've seen some single barrel shotguns that people have cut down, and I have no idea how it affects their pattern/range. I can only assume it shortens the range and spreads the pattern.

Has anybody done anything like this? What were the results?

For what it's worth, I would have no intention of reselling the shotgun, so once I buy it, it is mine until my kids get it with the estate - which, with any luck, will be many, many years.

I appreciate any comments.

Good luck and take care.

 

[SimS]

I tried Google and was amazed as the number of gunsmiths that do shortening and re-choke jobs for reasonable money. I don't know how much you want to put into your gun but it may be best to have a pro do the work and come out with a gun that has reliable shot patterns. Sounds like a neat project.

SimS

 

[BigBoyToys]

Barrel length has nothing to do with "Pattern Spread", the "Choke Seating" defines the shot pattern. Best to take it to a gunsmith.

 

[C4Ranch]

IMO, hold out for removable chokes... Are u set on SxS? U can get O/U more easily.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Barrel length has nothing to do with "Pattern Spread", the "Choke Seating" defines the shot pattern. Best to take it to a gunsmith.

Good advice...especially if you are unfamiliar with shotguns, and especially an old double which could have Damascus barrels. FWIW, the choke is usually stamped somewhere on the barrels, and often a side by side will have a Modified and a Full choke barrel. Back in the olden days when I used to shoot trap, the "big boys" told me that the longer barrels were preferred because the "sighting radius" improved your aim...although I couldn't find much of anything that improved my score.

I take it you have ruled out anything but a double barrel, but it's hard to beat an old Remington pump for all round shooting...and it will probably be a lot lighter than the double...an important consideration if your shoulders are as painful as mine. Anyway, sorry for all the blather...just recently bought an old 20 gauge Winchester Model 12 pump made in 1937. She's a beauty! Poly Choke and all! Good luck!

 

[Deerherd]

Sounds like you would be a good candidate for a a Stoeger Double Defense side by side. 20" improved cylinder chokes and you could put a light on it. About $450 bucks. Nice home defense weapon too!

 

[s219]

That is true that a longer barrel will be better for shooting skeet or birds due to the effective aim. I hesitate to use the word aim when talking about a shotgun, but shorter barrels are definitely harder to aim with precision. Just basic geometry.

 

[rtimgray]

Thanks for the quick replies. A few clarifications:

1. I've got plenty of other shotguns (mostly pumps and a couple of single shots) for recreational shooting. I just *want* a side by side.
2. Yes, I've ruled out, for now, over under. They don't appeal to me. Again, I just *want* a side by side.
3. Should've said this: budget is $150 to $200 tops. This pawn shop shotgun is at $175 and negotiable (I betting it will probably be $175 out the door, store eats the tax -that has been their norm in past).

I don't know about having one shortened by a gunsmith. I would figure $100 minimum, and maybe more, at which point I can probably just keep looking for a side by side for $250 to $300.

Again, thanks for the advice.

Good luck and take care.

 

[k0ua]

In my opinion, You should be good to go. Cut off the barrels square as possible, and carefully grind/deburr the ends and redrill and tap for the bead. All of this is within the capability of the shade tree gun mechanic. Obviously any choke will be gone, but you think they are both cylinder bore now. Make sure this is not some old Damascus barreled gun. But overall I think your plan is doable.

 

[EddieWalker]

In my opinion, never settle for what you can afford today when it's not what you really want. When buying high end items, it is always better to wait for the right deal to come along, and buy only what will hold or increase it's value. With double barrel shotguns, either side by side, or over and under, if you buy quality, it will never decline in value. If you buy cheap, it will always be cheap and your results will reflect that.

For clay pigeons, you really need to stick with over and under shotguns.