seeking help shortening barrel & wooden stock

[JohnCard]

I want to shorten the barrel (to 18.5") and the wooden stock of a Mossberg shotgun. I have never done this before and I don't have the tools (unless a standard jigsaw will work).

I am posting to here hoping to find someone who would let me come over and use their tools. If you've done this before, advice and supervision would be welcomed.

Thanks.

 

[engineerbrian]

Larry will show you

[YT]54l76JER3dY&feature=player_embedded[/YT]

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[rseymorejr]

I have shortened a couple of rifle stocks using a band saw. I clamped a piece on angle iron on the saw table as a guide, taped the stock and they turned out great. I don't think you would ever get a decent cut with a jig saw

 

[BradMacc82]

They do sell the 18.5" barrels. Just a thought.

 

[JohnCard]

They do sell the 18.5" barrels. Just a thought.

But they do cost ~$80.

 

[matt1]

I used a chop saw with a metal cutting blade for the barrel... used a stone file to smooth it out then blued the tip. Im sure you know someone with a chop saw... and a metal blade is $10. Ive heard of lots of people using band saws or a hacksaw but I cant imagine the cut would be as straight as with a chop saw. I researched this before I cut mine too... everyone seemed to be using a band saw but not sure why... its less common than a chop saw and harder to get a perfect cut.

Also make sure to look up the proper way to measure 18.5 inches of barrel...

 

[Boom Boom]

But they do cost ~$80.

A chopped barrel is worth zero.

 

[KRONIK27]

This is interesting...... would a pipe cutter work? Be just as straight...thoughts?

 

[KRONIK27]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_49/364545_Best_way_to_cut_a_shotgun_barrel.html

 

[rseymorejr]

I once had to salvage a shotgun barrel that somebody had hacked off crooked. I found a spade bit that was about the OD of the barrel. I then drilled a hole in a 2x4 and clamped the 2x4 in a vise, when I shoved the barrel through the hole it was snug and I had a perpendicular guide for my hacksaw. I dressed the cut with a small round file and hit it with cold blue. I then drilled and tapped the top of the barrel and stuck a brass bead on it. It turned out pretty nice.

 

[BradMacc82]

But they do cost ~$80.

True.

But you know it's done right.

Another thing to consider is, if you get your measurements wrong, then you've just made an illegal short-barreled shotgun, no bueno.

For me, the $80 spent on a factory 18.5" barrel, is worth it.

 

[SteveFinMD]

You might be able to sell the barrel that you have now for enough to buy the shorter one that you want...just a thought. Also, someone might be willing to trade you for it.

 

[matt1]

This is interesting...... would a pipe cutter work? Be just as straight...thoughts?

Like a plumbing pipe cutter? I wouldnt recomend that... They are just for cutting through copper pipe which is much softer metal. Even if you could get it to cut through after a longg while I think it would leave a crimped edge on the inside.

 

[huesmann]

Like a plumbing pipe cutter? I wouldnt recomend that... They are just for cutting through copper pipe which is much softer metal. Even if you could get it to cut through after a longg while I think it would leave a crimped edge on the inside.

But it might work for scoring a guide line.