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.
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.