making short barrel shotgun

[the old gringo]

my vision is going quickly and i would like to make a side by side 12 about 8 inches long . i was told a long time ago but it is gone now. if it involves 200.00 bucks and papers that is not bad but i could use a little help thanks jeff

[Old Grump]

http://www.atf.gov/regulations-rulings/

You need to go here for your answers and forms.

[Alpo]

Yeah, that's basically it. Paperwork and 200 dollars. Just make sure that you have the paper back from ATF BEFORE you cut the gun.

Two thoughts. 8 inches seems kinda short. Mine's eleven. Eight would be shorter than the forearm.


Notice mine has hammers. Hammerless guns depend on the opening of the barrels to cock the strikers. Longer barrel equals more leverage equals easier cocking. Shorter barrel equals harder to cock. Hammered guns, on the other hand, just open. No fuss. That's why I picked a hammered one to cut.

[Hammerslagger]

First, if one are not already a NFA taxpayer, I do not recommend one becoming one. You get you name on a list (or another list) of persons to be watched very closely. But, each to his/her own opinion relative to such.

Second, I agree with Alpo relative to barrel length and hammers.

Third, very short tubes do little to make shot spread; and shotgun shot or buckshot spreads a lot less than commonly believed at indoor distances that are commonly encountered. Do some tests of your own with a cylinder bore gun.

Forth, several newer (post 1960 design) SxS shotguns do not have their tubes soldered or brazed to a center rib. The tubes are joined together at the breech and muzzle. The center rib is just cosmetic. Thus, you cannot simply cut the barrels to make them shorter. They will have to be rejoined at the muzzle, which is usually a gunsmith job.

[medalguy]

Don't worry about getting on a "list". I would bet we're ALL already on some kind of "list".

If you want a short barrel shotgun, go for it. Find a gun you like that's not too expensive. File the Form 1 and wait 6-8 months for BATFE to approve it and get the form and stamp back to you, and only THEN have the barrel cut.

Be aware you can't transport the gun across state lines without prior written BATF approval, and you can't give the gun to anyone else to have in their possession unles you're there with the gun.

[3/2 STA SS]

Originally Posted by Alpo

Yeah, that's basically it. Paperwork and 200 dollars. Just make sure that you have the paper back from ATF BEFORE you cut the gun.

Two thoughts. 8 inches seems kinda short. Mine's eleven. Eight would be shorter than the forearm.


Notice mine has hammers. Hammerless guns depend on the opening of the barrels to cock the strikers. Longer barrel equals more leverage equals easier cocking. Shorter barrel equals harder to cock. Hammered guns, on the other hand, just open. No fuss. That's why I picked a hammered one to cut.

THAT IS AWESOME....

[gun runner]

Whats the recoil like on a sawed off shotgun like that?

[Alpo]

Actually depends on the ammo.

The shells in the belt are Challenger target loads. That's a Canadian brand. 1 ounces of 9s, in those blue shells (7 1/2s are red. I think it's nice that they color-code their ammo). They feel like a 12 gauge going off. Only other stuff I've fired in it is S&B 00 buck. It's quite comfortable.

I believe, though I have no way of proving it, that the Challengers are loaded with a fast powder, and it all burns in the eleven inch of barrel, and therefore gives me full recoil, while the S&Bs are loaded with a slower powder, to take advantage of the 20 to 30 inches of a hunting gun, and since not all of it is burned in eleven inches, the recoil is less. I have fired both brands in full-size guns, and the S&B has a respectable recoil.

I have shot aimed shots with it. Not difficult, but does take some thought and practice, otherwise you have a tendency to hit yourself in the face with it. I've shot it from the hip. Extremely hard to hit anything that way. I believe it's because of this. When you shoot a regular shotgun from the hip, you have the stock pressed against your side and that allows you to use your body to aim with. When shooting this thing from the hip, you don't have that, and you tend to shoot waaaaay to the left.



I've also shot it one-handed, like a big pistol. Not too bad, although the back of the trigger guard does tend to put a bruise on my bird-finger, if I do it more than two or three times.

All in all, this has no practical use, but it is fun.

[gun runner]

good self defense weapon

[Alpo]

Not really. As I said, aimed fire takes a little time and thinking. You can't just "up and shoot". You get hit in the face. And with a hip shot, at a measured 15 feet (living room distance) I would miss with most of the load.

It's a toy. If you've got the money to spend, it's a fun toy. But it's still a toy.

Now, that same eleven-inch barrels, with a full buttstock on it? That might be a good self-defense gun. Don't know. I cut the butt before I ever fired it.

I do know this. I ever shoot anyone with it, and it's gonna be locked up in the evidence room for forty forevers, and every cop in six counties is gonna come fingerbang it because it's cool, and when I finally do get it back it's gonna be covered with rusty fingerprints.

[soundguy]

when the cops get there after you have to defend yourself and shoot an intruder with a shotgun, just make sure you give them the old full length side by side pawn shop special in the corner that could be used for self defense. heck.. evern fire and practice a shot thru it once a month to keep it fresh..

[JLA]

or just scratch the mad max boomsticks idea, albeit really freaken cool, and get a coach gun. they are just as fun, bear no extra taxes and paperwork and 3 times more useful in the confines of your home.

[soundguy]

imho.. an off-the-shelf 'tactical' pump gun is likely just as useful / moreso, and less hassle in a home defense situation.. especially if you ever have to use it. less scrutiny by the law.. etc.