Shortening shotgun barrel

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bluesoftail

Inactive
I have a Remington 870. I have a couple of barrels, one of them being 21". I was kicking around the idea of shortening it to 18". Can this be done safely, and what would be the best method, ie..(pipe cutter?). It is a vent rib barrel, and I think I can unsolder it, and replace it when I'm done. Any thoughts, or suggestions? Thanks
 
Better make that 18.250 inches, ATF has a 18 inch min on shotgun barrels, measured to the bolt face. safe? yes. You will lose your choke. Cut it with a hacksaw, then file smooth, and as square as you can.
 
I think Remington ribs are brazed or silver soldered. You would have a real mess trying to remove and replace it. The only way I have ever seen a ribbeed barrel shortened was to cut it at the front of a post. At best it would be a lot of work to save less than three inches, and you would lose all your choke.
 
I think this project would be more trouble than it is worth. Why not sell the 21 inch barrel and buy a 18 inch barrel? Then you get the shorter barrel and it will have a choke.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I had'nt given a whole lot of thought to the loss of the choke. I was thinking that an 18" barrel is obviously more for home defense, and that choke may not matter all that much. It does sound like this would be more trouble than its worth.
 
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