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Pipe Cutter for Shortening Barrel?
KenK/84Bravo
Member Posts: 11,725 ✭✭✭✭
Anyone ever use a pipe cutter to shorten a shotgun barrel? I have a Western Field Model 550CD, (Mossberg 500) 20 ga pump. I want to shorten the barrel to 18.25" removing the attached Variable Choke in the process.
It's a House gun that lives outside the safe. Not expensive, but reliable.
Anyone ever done this?
*Will do some file work to clean up the inside of the barrel.
Extreme NE TN/W NC ya'll. 😁
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Comments
Using a pipe cutter will leave a ridge on the inside, you're better off using a hacksaw or cutoff wheel
Thanks dokie, that was kind of my thought as well.
Extreme NE TN/W NC ya'll. 😁
But if you're going to file anyway, it won't make much difference. I'm sure that a sawzall would leave some material inside that would need to be cleaned up any too, and the roll cutters would make a lot nicer, straight cut IMO. Go slow towards the end of the cut, it's the pressure on the cutting wheel that pushes the metal inward.
Try the pipe cutter and let us know the results, i.e., how much trouble it was to clean up the inside edge.
I have never cut a shotgun barrel but I have used a pipe cutter on galvanized pipe quite a bit and it will leave a small amount of material on the inside but nothing that couldn't be cleaned up easily with a file. It also will probably be a straighter cleaner cut than a hack saw. Also toad gave some good advice on how to make the cut at the end.
Having used pipe cutters before, I pretty much know what it will leave on the inside of the barrel. Nothing that can not be cleaned up w/a half round file. I also thought the use of a pipe cutter would give me a nice, clean cut.
I appreciate everyone's input. I believe I will try the pipe cutter and file clean up method for this project. I will try and post results.
Thank's All.
Extreme NE TN/W NC ya'll. 😁
Took 7.25" of barrel off just now. 9.25" if you include the Mossberg 2cm choke on the end. Shotgun is now much more what I need for it's intended use. (18.25" barrel now.)
The pipe cutter made a very nice, even cut. Not much left inside the barrel to clean up at all. Went slow and gentle with it. Very pleased with the results.
Going to see if a friend w/a Fabrication shop, can drill & tap the small hole in the tip of the barrel, in order to salvage the nice (screw in) Brass bead.
I was somewhat surprised at the thickness of the barrel, easily 3/16". It was not easy to cut. (Much higher grade of steel used vs. typical pipes.)
Appreciate the input.
*As an aside, my pipe cutter has in it's spine, a very nice high carbon, sharp edge triangular blade (just like a knife blade) that flicks out - in order to clean up the inside edge. It made a nice 45° angle on that inside edge. Cleaned it up very nicely. Will need very little file work. (Which I still plan on doing.)
Highly recommend this method. (For those interested in doing this.)
Extreme NE TN/W NC ya'll. 😁
I have used a band saw to cut the barrel on an old Stevens. Came out nice.
Yes I have. Just clean out the inside of the barrel with a camper tool, and polish.
Replace the bead on the shortened barre.
Used the same method a couple days ago to take apprx. 10" off a single shot 12ga. (Crescent Red Chieftain.) Stevens. It also now sports a 18.25" barrel. Gonna give it to my Son as a House Gun, that can live outside the safe and be ready at a moments notice. I have a few like it around the house.
It can now be broken down to two 18.25" sections in a few seconds for a daypack.
This larger barrel was pretty tough to cut. In fact, it snapped the spine of my pipe cutter on the last go round before taking the barrel off. I live in the perfect part of the Country (see my sig line.) to come across nice old single shots like this. I'm a sucker for them and have a few.
Extreme NE TN/W NC ya'll. 😁