Cutting Down a Shotgun

[KD5NRH]

looks like the 18.5" barrell is on sale for $90, a +4 mag extension for $42,

Uhh...last time I thought about putting a +4 on a home defense shotgun, my measurements put the total mag length longer than the 19" barrel. Might be something else to measure.

Sure would make that Mini Mag Lite holder for the mag tube cap entertaining to use.

[JLaw]

I figured maybe I'd have that problem. When I order the stuff I'll take all the measurements and talk to some folks to see what the biggest mag extension I can put on is.

JLaw

[KD5NRH]

I figured maybe I'd have that problem. When I order the stuff I'll take all the measurements and talk to some folks to see what the biggest mag extension I can put on is.

Well, figure 2.75X7=19.25, and there's going to have to be room for the spring, and a bit for the cap, so I wouldn't expect a capacity over 6 for a 19" barrel.

Personally, I figure that if 5 rounds of low recoil 00, or 4 of 3.5" Magnum 18 pellet ow-that's-a-lot-of-recoil 00 don't do the job, more ammo is probably not the answer.

[Rex B]

CheaperThanDirt in Fort Worth has those 18.5" barrels for the 870.
They are made by Mossberg, and they run $99.97 every day.
I bought one a few months ago, but the bore was corroded so I exchanged it. The 2nd one had an excellent finish inside and out..
Check the bore.

[JLaw]

Update:

I have installed the 18 1/2" Mossberg barrell made for the Remington 870, along with a Marble's fiber optic front sight. So far so good. Next will be the +2 mag extenstion, most likely the one from Scattergun Technologies.





JLaw

[seamusTX]

Well, figure 2.75X7=19.25, and there's going to have to be room for the spring, and a bit for the cap,...

Nominal 2 3/4-inch shotshells are a bit less than 2 1/2 inches from base to crimp before they're fired.

On a Remington 870, a 12-inch magazine holds four 2 3/4-inch shells, leaving about 2 1/2 inches for the spring and follower.

(This is all by actual measurement.)

There's a brand of "tactical" ammunition called Aguila that is about 1 1/2 inches long with power supposedly comparable to 2 1/2-inch loads: http://www.aguilaammo.com/minishells.htm. I never played with it.

- Jim

[RKirby]

Don't forget to order a barrel clamp when you buy your +2 mag extension. If you ever have the misfortune of bumping that brand new extension into something without a clamp installed you'll know why I'm telling you this.

Don't ask me how I know this to be true!

[Rex B]

Someone makes a reduced-charge buck load designed for home/close-quarters defense. The shells are shorter, allowing and additional cartridge or 2 to be loaded.

[dws1117]

I dunno, but some people put a shotgun on pegs above the inside of the closet door.

IMHO, a 7-year-old is about ready to learn that some things are not to be touched except under adult supervision. At that age, they're old enough to turn on the range or put the cat in the washing machine. You can no longer watch them every second or put things out of their reach.

- Jim

You can say that again. Sheesh, I think my 5 year old can fly.

[seamusTX]

... I think my 5 year old can fly.

They can fly. They're just not good at landing.

I gave myself a lesson on this topic when I was 5 or so. My father had swapped a big valve on the boiler. I wanted to pley with the old one. He didn't want me to. He put it on a high shelf.

While he was at work, I used a broom handle to push the valve off the shelf. Unfortunately, it landed on my head, killing a few brain cells and requiring a trip to the emergency room.

- Jim

[barres]

IMHO, a 7-year-old is about ready to learn that some things are not to be touched except under adult supervision. At that age, they're old enough to turn on the range or put the cat in the washing machine.

And whats so wrong about that?

The fur clogs up the pump something fierce.

- Jim

From a list I found on the internet, "Things I Learned from Children":

25. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

26. The spin cycle on the washing machine does make cats dizzy, however.

27. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

[JLaw]

Done! Scattergun Tech. +2 extension installed, fully functional just cycling the rounds through the magazine, now I just have to take it out somewhere and function test it with live fire. Looking forward to getting a feel for the 00 buck then putting this home defense tool to work.

'Course now I'm starting to wonder if I should install a barrell clamp like RKirby recommended.



JLaw

[RKirby]

Good looking gun, JLaw! I love it when a plan finally comes together.

I'd still install a barrel clamp if I were you...cheap insurance against a bent mag tube or extension. They're also a great place to mount a sling swivel if you ever decide to install a sling on your gun.