Got a cheap shotgun...

S

sorny

Inactive
I got a cheap Sears (dunno what original brand) 12 gauge semi auto a few weeks ago. The bluing is aweful, the stock and forearm are gouged up, and it's been cut from ?? inches to 19". I had a guy put a bead on the end (they didn't put one back on after cutting the barrel). It only holds 4 shells and jams at least once out of every 4. I paid $75 and didn't really want or need it but just got it because the guy needed money and I knew I wouldn't get it back, so I thought I'd at least get something out of the deal.

Anyways, I always wanted to cut and then restain a stock and basically have a pistol gripped shotgun. I know they're uncomfortable and they are basically useless (since you can't really point anymore) but this would be cheaper and easier than me buying a short barreled Mossy 500 or Rem 870 and getting the $30 pistol grip for it. At least it might help the looks of this gun ;)

If I was to do this, would it be legal? I wouldn't do it if it wasn't. Also, would I just saw the back of the stock off and then sand it and shape it like I want it then restain? Any tips?

Please don't think I'm an idiot for doing this. If the gun was reliable or looked good or both I wouldn't modify it... but it's also already been cut on the barrel (and not a great job either) so I figure I don't have much to lose.
 
Sounds to me like you may have a decent shotgun there after all, I mean, not RIGHT NOW since it's jamming like that (not good in a self-defense situation) but I mean AFTER it's fixed.

So, why don't you FIRST get a professional opinion (gunsmith) on the Sears gun...to see if it's something simple (very likely) that can be fixed, like a bad small part that needs replacing (elevator, extractor, shell-stop, whatever), and/or just a general but serious cleanup?

It's kind of nice to take a "piece of junk" that some people would just trash, fix it, clean it up and have something real nice afterwards.

As you probably know, Sears didn't make their own guns, so likely it was made by a major American gun maker...so inherently, it should be pretty good quality (just as good as any basic shotgun made today, maybe even better than made today), so I would not give up on so soon.

Here's one link showing some "house brand" guns and which gun maker manufactured them:

http://hunting.about.com/gi/dynamic...ing&zu=http://www.e-gunparts.com/crossref.asp


Anyway, after you investigate this further -- and let's say the guns IS hopeless (which I really doubt) -- you can always THEN go on to get something else.

But my feeling is you can save that shotgun and give it a 2nd life. And as for the cosmetics -- like the crudely sawed-off barrel and stock -- that stuff can easily be fixed.

Besides, to me a Sears gun (or Western Auto, Montgomery Wards, etc.) are somewhat of a "collectors item" nowadays, since they haven't been made in years now. No, not a valuable $$-wise collector's item, true, but one of some historical interest, if you will, collectors item...like finding original J.C.Higgins 12-gauge ammo in the original box for it.

Used to be, lots of hardware stores had their own brand names put on rifles/shotguns and sold them at their stores...a part of American history that has long passed but those guns are still here and are a rememberance of those times.

So, you might be able to ressurrect it without too much money or effort -- or sell it to someone who will restore it -- and a small part of American history would be saved.

Good luck,

-- John D.
 
I'm not a big shotgun person but wonder does the stock connect to the receiver using a bolt inserted in through the but plate? If that is the case then when you cut the stock down you'll have a hole to fill... Know in my remmington rifles that's the case, suppose if it is you could use a peg and a little wood working skills :P.
 
Look before you cut!

Before cutting the stock, be sure to check if there is a tube and bolt return spring in it. This spring is a critical part of the action and is common to almost all semi-auto shotguns. That is why you don't see folding stocks or PGOs on semi-autos. The exceptions are Fabarms, Escort, Benelli M3, and another that escapes me at the moment.
 
Make sure you stick to at least a 34" overall length too.

Anything less is considered extremely naughty.
 
Yes, you are absolutely correct. I have no idea where I got 34" from. Something to do with too much caffeine and not enough sleep, I guess.
 
A sear4s shotgun no ,atter the manufacturer in the condition that you are describing is worth about $75 in good working condition, so what you have is a play gun.

Repairing it will not enhance the value any more than cutting on it will lower the value.

Does it already have a pistol grip incorporated into the stock, like many of the older shotguns had?

This is my favorite gangster grip for a shotgun

If there is a visible hole where the stock bolt goes in you can plug it with a dowel and sand it into fit.
That way it can be removed easier than if you putty it up.

However if the bolt head would show you might want to cut it off whipit style
 
It does have a bolt running through the stock, but I didn't take the time to take it out to see if it has a return spring or anything fancy (besides just a plain ol' bolt). I guess it probably does, with my luck, so I guess I won't be cutting it assuming it won't function correctly if it do. It's a shame too because the stock has a very nice pistol grip already in it, so if I cut the stock it'd almost be shaped like an old revolver grip instead of being funny looking.
 
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