Modified shotguns

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Bulldog44

New member
Do any of you have shotguns which have had their lengths modified to within legal limits; i.e., chopped barrel or shortened stock? What is your primary use for the firearm? I have an old 20 gauge shotgun that I've spoken with a gunsmith about modifying to within legal limits simply for home defense.

One other thing: does barrel length include the chamber (on a single shot) or not?
 
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I have a Mossberg 500C, in 20Ga. When I bought it, the gun had a pistol grip, and synthetic forend. The barrel was 18 inches. Later, I bought a Mossberg synthetic stock, and a Mossberg 26 inch, vent rib barrel with choke tubes. I guess I went the opposite direction from what you are asking about. I don't see why you could not do the same, with factory or aftermarket parts. I would rather replace the barrel than cut it.

Most of the time, the gun wears the origional 18 inch barrel and the full length stock. With the factory IC choked barrel, the gun patterns #3 Buck well, and does good with #6 shot also.
 
I've shortened a few bbls over the years, and oft regretted it bitterly. Consider it a last resort.

Federal law says that a legal shotgun has to be 27" long and have a bbl length of more than 18". This last is measured from the breech or bolt face to the muzzle.

And depending on what that 20 gauge is, you may want to keep it as is. One idiot I used to know cropped the bbls on a fancy LC Smith 16 gauge to 18", reducing the value from several thousand dollars to a few hundred. He could have sold the Smith, bought and modified a Savage 311 or similar, and taken the family to Disney World on the difference.

Also, a break open double or single with a 28" bbl is about the same OAL as a 20" bbled repeater.

That 20 may be fine as is for HD....
 
The shotgun in question is one my grandfather gave me some time back. It was manufactured by Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC) in Brazil. The stock is pretty badly scratched, but the gun seems tight and sturdy. The gun would only be used for home defense (I have other shotguns, rifles, and handguns for everything else). I wouldn't dare ruin a Remington or comparable firearm by doing that, but the gunsmith I talked to about shortening the barrel is quite comptent and I'd trust the end result.

Or do you think I should just shop around for one that is manufactured with an 18" barrel?
 
I got a tax stamp then had my barrel cut to 14 inches, had it vang comped, surefire light added, rogard Robar finish and NP3 on internals, MMC night sights, Side saddle, Speed feed pistol grip stock, Giles sling.
Thats about it. Then the chief allowed AR 15 and I had to start over with a more effective fighting weapon. The shot gun is what I use for camping and fishing for bear protection the shot gun is for back up at work if something should happen to the CAR 15.
PAT
 
I doubt there's going to be much collector interest in Brazilian Utility shotguns. Cut it if you want to.

I'd be tempted to leave this as is, use it as a truck gun, and buy a short bbl for whatever repeating shotgun you have. But, it's your gun...
 
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