New member - Shotgun gun mod input

E

Efjay_62

Inactive
Hi all,
I have read many of helpful posts in the pasts in my general web research, finally decided to sign up for the site. I am a member on other forums across the web that have been very enjoyable and helpful in their related topics. I'm sure this will be the same. I am by no means a gun "enthusiast" so to speak. But I am an avid hunter and "sport" shooter, and have a respectable collection of firearms for their intended uses.

So one gun I have, is an old Sears model 20, which as I understand is a High Standard model 200. It is a gun, that along with a few others, my Grandmother gave me after my Granddad passed. She knew nothing about them, and he never really shot them, he just had them in the back corner of the closet for years. I have now had it for a number of years, never shooting it, as I have a model 870 Wingmaster that serves as my primary gun for recreational shooting. So the 20 just sits in the back of the safe. I was considering, as much for recreation as for purpose, modifying it into a short barrelled defense type gun. Thought I'd get some opinions on the matter before doing so. It has the ribbed barrell, with a Poly-choke, so I would likely take it in to a shop to have it cut, but beyond that, looking for "expert" input. It is in pretty nice shape, but doesn't appear to have any great monetary value, so don't think I'd be losing much there.
 
You can pick up a riot barrel for that 870 for about what it'll cost to bob your 20. I'd go that way.....
 
:) I would like to say welcome to the forum. I am pretty new here myself and have learned a lot about shotguns. I think Dave is giving you some good advice on buying another barrel for your 870. Don
 
No, it won't ever have a very large cash value at the gun store. I see them from time to time for $125 or $150 in decent shape.

But it was your grandfathers shotgun. Do you have so much of his 'stuff' that you can cut this gun down without it causing you even a twinge of conscience now? Is there or will there ever be another generation in your family who might someday like to hunt with this gun 'as is,' as the old man left it?

If all it is to you is a cheap old store brand shotgun, then sure, do whatever you want to it. But if it is or ever could be a touchstone for someone in your family to a generation past, you might want to keep it the way it is.

The High Standards no matter how branded are among my favorite older pumpguns, I have several of them including a couple that may well get their barrels shortened, beads relocated, stocks cut shorter and good recoil pads put on to serve as home protection guns. But they came off the used rack at some gunstore somewhere, not out of my grandfather's closet. The one gun I have that belonged to my own grandfather is a 1929 Winchester Model 94, and it sits in my safe just as he left it to me, and just as I will someday pass it on to subsequent generations of my family. No, it isn't some six figure British 'best' gun, but plain or not it's still an heirloom.

All in all, I think Dave's advice is good... but then I'm a sentimental old phart. Thing is, in a few decades, you might be one too. And you can't uncut a shotgun barrel.

hth,

lpl
 
Yep, yep. The sentiment side was the main thing holding me back. And before even getting any replies to this thread, my brother in law said it was "way too nice of a shotgun" to start cutting on. It actually is in purdy nice shape for an old brute. Upon further review, I will just leave the Model 20 be, and either get a short barrel for my 870, as suggested. Or next time I get a couple extra bills burning a hole in my pocket, just head to one of the local gun shops and pick a used, run of the mill type gauge, and set it up how I want it, or likely just find one that has already been modded.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top