Shortening the barrel on a shotgun.

I'm having a pretty hard time making a decision on this.

I really like both as they are.

They both look great and despite not having shot either of them, they should function perfectly based on my knowledge of the guns and the disassembly, inspections and function testing I've done. I won't do any modifications to them before I shoot them. I can't believe I haven't shot them yet but I'm really looking forward to it!

I agree with Keg in that modifying them, either of them, will bring positive attention from people who love the idea but may not be willing to go through with the modifications them selves. Because both guns have already been refinished and the a5 has had it's stock cut they won't maintain their value as originals, but their overall condition is good.

In a way, because of their overall condition and refinishing, it makes sense that I would take it all the way and have two nice old refinished, modified 18.5" "fighting" shotguns.

It is still a tough decision to have the barrels cut on these old boys, but I'm not sure that buying extra barrels to cut is worth the money since the guns are already refinished.

I'm going to need some more opinions, time, and pricing before I can make a decision.

For the record. After looking at Keg's 1897 I'm thinking about shortening both of them again. Also my use for the guns is just for fun. I don't intend to hunt with them, I will probably do some form of informal clay shooting with them, as well as just fun stuff, like shooting in the mountains with the A5 paired with an older 1911, or shooting the 1897 paired with a single action revolver.
 
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mellow c.... I wish I had taken before pics.... They really are a fun to shoot and everyone that sees em likes em.... The Winchester sat in the back of my safe for years..before I just decided to do something with it....It was usless before....

No harm, no foul Keg
and if your name also has Guinness in it, we be GOOD friends!.......
__________________
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If I saw ya...I'd definitely by ya one..or several....:D
 
While I understand what you want, I cannot completely agree with chopping the 97. And that's because there is collector value, and there is collector value.

Ok, its been refinished, which means no value to the guys that want original finish (which brings the most money), but there is also value to some who want an original 97 (despite a reblue). Even the Chinese copies are fetching more than a few dollars, thanks to Cowboy Action shooting. So it might be worth a long look at the 97 before you chop the barrel.

I was in a sort of similar situation for decades, I got a model 12 when I was 16 (gun made in the 20s). 30in full choke. I used that gun a LOT, and loved it, but really wanted a riot gun barrel. Fortunately I talked myself out of cutting it, every time.

I did eventually find a model 12 that someone else HAD cut, and after verifying legal length (barrel and overall) bought it.

You cannot make a "switch barrel" gun out of the 97 (or the model 12) unless you get a spare "everything in front of the receiver". You could do it with just a spare receiver extension with the barrel mounted, and then switch over the rest of the parts, but its not something you can do in just a couple minutes. They aren't built like modern Rem/Win guns.
 
This is hilarious....He said the guns had been refinished..so they are classified as shooters only..
Correct, and most folks buying A5's and 97's to "shoot" want longer barrels
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U missed the point... Refinished guns are just shooter quality..therefore they have lost much of their value.... Therefore..this makes them perfect candidate for this...plus they are pretty cool....Ever priced a 97' riot gun? They ain't cheap... As far as what most folks might want.. Who cares? If it were original..that would be different..but it's not....
 
Keg, if you were going to sell your 1897 what do you think you could get for it?:D

I got my 1897 real cheap! I bought it from an unknowledgeable pawn shop where someone had reassembled it incorrectly, the action was all jammed up and they thought it was going to need a gunsmith to fix it. so I got it out the door for just over $200!!! I took it home, reassembled it correctly and all was good. So I'll be ahead with this gun forever no matter what I do or don't do to it.

44amp. I hear you loud and clear on the 1897. What's your take on the A5?
 
I bought the gun for $250....replaced cracked stock $79...added pad $50....cut barrel and replace bead..plus reblue receiver $75....so a little less than $500 in it.... I didn't really expect to get my money back on this project..but after shooting it I think I might could make a little off it..if I wanted....depended on where I advertised it....
 
The A5 is both a much newer design, and was still in production in living memory. Also, there are no games I know of where anything makes the A5 unique, unlike the 97, which is, I believe the only pump gun allowed in CAS. (or at least the only one in sufficient numbers to matter).

SO, essentially, yes, they are both old guns, refinished, so purist collectors will turn up their noses. Shooter collectors value things a little differently. Anyone wanting an A5 wants it because it is an A5, and likely would want to hunt with it. Might not care about the finish, but the barrel (and its choke) will matter to them.

They're yours, you have every right to make them into anything you want. All I'm trying to say is think about it a bit, and remember what is a neat toy today could be a tragic mistake down the road a ways.

And one thing about chopping those barrels, there goes any choke. Everybody's different, and what's hot today can be cold tomorrow. If you aren't planning on selling them, enjoy them. Just be aware you might be trading future value (or simple sale-ability) for today's fun. That's all.

Friend of mine, some years back, his spouse inherited a beat up old 97. 30" full choke. The finish is brown...he was going to turn it into a faux trench gun. He asked me to look at it, and I did, and got a little confused, it was a bit odd. Had to do a little research. Turns out the gun was one of the "solid frame" guns, indicating possible first year production. SO, he changed his mind on the trench gun idea. Haven't seen him in years, so I don't know the final fate of the gun, but I do know he found another project to play with.
 
Well... what about this?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=471536109

To my door for about $200 I've got only hours to buy it. Then I'd need another $50 or more to shorten it.

Would keep the A5 mostly original and satisfy my urge for an original military style A5...

Would it be wise to spend almost another $300 in addition to the almost $500 I paid for the gun to have two barrel lengths giving me an all Belgium do all A5?
 
The british restore, reblue, refinish, or maintain guns in their proper condition and the guns do not seem to loose any value.

As a matter of fact some gain considerable value over the years.

Check at Guns International and while your at the site check the guns offered by Turnbull!
 
Well, I talked the guy down on the barrel. He ended the auction and told me we have a deal for $170.00 shipped to my door. Then he asked me to send the money order to his PO Box.

He said he would normally hold out, but he's really broke right now. It sounds like he's wanting to skip out on using gun broker, which is fine with me... I guess. Hopefully I'll be able to talk with him over the phone and get a feel for him before sending the money. Or maybe he would send me the barrel before I send the money :D

Hopefully the deal goes smoothly. And I'll end up with a good condition identical Belgium 2 3/4" barrel that I can have cut down to just over 18". I talked to a local gun smith who thinks he can do the work for between $50 and $100, cutting the barrel and replacing the bead.
 
Thanks Blindstitch:)

I just talked to him over the phone, I feel much better now. He sounded like he does a lot of this and has many other items on gun broker. He basically said that he sells stuff on gun broker to support his hobby. He was able to tell me where he got the barrel and a few other things. I feel like it's going to work out just fine and I'll end up with a good condition reasonably priced barrel fresh and ready for modification.
 
Short barrel 97 & A-5
I have cut down many shotguns. Most were done to shoot slugs. I can't think
of make or model that I haven't whacked. It just so happens I have the very
2 shotguns the OP was referring to, Win 97 & A-5. The 97 I got with a terrible
home poly choke job, the A-5 had it's barrel run over by a car. I wouldn't butcher a good old gun, I saved these. I keep a new Rigid pipe cutter for only
shotgun barrels. Once cut off I use a barrel crowning tool with pilot, sold by
Brownells, to finish crown. To rebead size 45 bit & 3/56 tap is required or
#31 bit & 6/48 tap. I had Win. screw in choke threads in 97, A-5 has Williams
Shorty ramp and Marble front. Rear sight on A-5 is off old 700 Rem. The
steel sight is easier to silver soldier. Both these guns will shoot with any
smooth bore shot gun that is factory stock. I have cloned many of these
for other guys. It ain't rocket science, just cutting for HD is easier yet.
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1789e32b70c14cef6bcb0d9612bcba63.jpg
 
The extra barrel arrived today. Looks and fits good. I'll test them both out once I can get ahold of and install the rest of the parts I'm replacing. Recoil spring, brass friction ring and spring, action spring.

Once all that is done I'll order the magazine extension I that I decide on, and then take the barrel to the smith to have it cut accordingly.

Thanks for all the posts everyone. I'll be sure to start a new thread recapping the project once I'm finished. Pictures included. :)
 
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