The fate of my shotgun

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blueblast

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I recently picked up an Iver Johnson Champion on the EE and had originally thought about letting Bubba have a go at it, and chop the barrel, and shorten the stock.
But now that I have it, I'm wondering if I should. There are fewer and fewer single shots left out there, and I'm a bit nostalgic for this gun since its actually made in Cobourg by Cooey.
The bore is 99%, the metal is starting to show its age, but not terrible, and the stock has a few monor dings.
So what should I do with it? Do guys out there with shorties and truck guns actually use them? What are full choke, short barrels like to shoot?
Who can help me decide the fate of my Iver Johnson!
 
Once you cut the barrel no more choke of any kind so close range only. Personally I see no use to a chopped single other than a toy to make noise, or very close use if stock is not cut. Just my opinion and worth what you paid for it.
 
I never will understand all this "chopping off" stuff. No big deal with a cheap single shot but for what practical reason would someone want to turn a possibly useful tool into a big firecracker. Further I would be embarassed if someone was to see me in the field or at the range with a rediculous thing like that... unless I was Mel Gibson and "Gyroman" was standing next to me.
 
My 12.5" Rem took 2nd place in the shotgun stage of the Virden match out of 40 competitors. Ranges from 40 to 100 yards. I would not be embarassed if someone was to see me in the field or at the range with a "rediculous" thing like that. I had a single shot Model 37 that I regret selling after cutting the barrel to 18 1/2 inches. Made for a well balanced short shotgun and not a "firecracker". The long 30" barrel is a thing of the past:D
 
icedragonmx said:
My 12.5" Rem took 2nd place in the shotgun stage of the Virden match out of 40 competitors. Ranges from 40 to 100 yards. I would not be embarassed if someone was to see me in the field or at the range with a "rediculous" thing like that. I had a single shot Model 37 that I regret selling after cutting the barrel to 18 1/2 inches. Made for a well balanced short shotgun and not a "firecracker". The long 30" barrel is a thing of the past:D
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OK now for a real test, take your 40 "competitors", and have them shoot against any 40 regulars at a sporting clays shoot. They would go home hanging their heads in shame. Not one of them would place ahead of a real shotgunner. Short barrels are a lot of fun for blasting all sorts of stuff, but they are NOT serious tools for shooting the targets that shotguns were intended for. Shotguns ( with the exception of slug guns) are not intended for "40 to 100 yards" - that is a very specialized, fringe activity. It is fun, no doubt, but hardly represents mainstream shotgun competition or hunting or self defence or any thing else of consequence.
 
Seems we have a hate on going for short barrel shotguns. :( Short barrel doesn't nescessarily mean short range only. A competent gunsmith can fairly easily install choke tubes. Some short barrel shotguns come choked. A friend of mine brought out his coach gun, a double barrel 20" shotgun, and hit 20 out of 25 clays. He hardly ever shoots trap, let alone practice shooting that gun. I found out afterwards that it has a fixed mod and full choke.

Chopping down a gun is a personal choice. I'm not much for nostalgia or single shot shotguns. I say it depends what you want it for. If you want a short easy to carry and easy to handle gun, or a slug gun, then go ahead and chop away!
 
BCP said:
Seems we have a hate on going for short barrel shotguns. :( Short barrel doesn't nescessarily mean short range only. A competent gunsmith can fairly easily install choke tubes. Some short barrel shotguns come choked. A friend of mine brought out his coach gun, a double barrel 20" shotgun, and hit 20 out of 25 clays. He hardly ever shoots trap, let alone practice shooting that gun. I found out afterwards that it has a fixed mod and full choke.

Chopping down a gun is a personal choice. I'm not much for nostalgia or single shot shotguns. I say it depends what you want it for. If you want a short easy to carry and easy to handle gun, or a slug gun, then go ahead and chop away!
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Nope, I've got a couple 26 inch barrels...and I love them. Might I suggest you post your friends 20/25 birds with 20 inch tubes feat in the Trap/Skeet/Sporting Clays section and see what feedback arrives...;)
 
My friend brings his coach gun all the time... especially right before upland season. It's great practice. He's a good shotgunner to start with and can keep up with the coach gun.

Now he's not shooting out the lights, but as long as he times it right, he connects.

I wouldn't write off the shot barreled shotguns so fast.
 
Simple solution: have more than one shotgun! :nest:

I have 2 of the 30-incher variety (old Ithaca 37 & a Remington 1100), 2 at 20-some-odd inches (both 1897's), 1 Winchester 37(0?) @ 18.5 inches but with a normal stock, and 1 CBC-Remington at 18.5 inches but with the stock cut-into a pistol-grip....:stirthepot2:

I happen to love each in their own special way! :D
 
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I have a 410 cooey single shot that someone gave me. The barrel was bulged about 2 inches from the end. I chopped it to 18 1/4 inches re beaded it, left the stock the way it was, parkerised it and teflon coated it. I re finished the stock and I absolutely love the way it turned out. I don't hunt any more but I wish I had that gun for bush chickens back when I did. As for all the people slagging what you want to do, just remember we don't NEED any guns. Very few hunt for subsistance any more and we can always play hockey. Just because we don't like a particular shooting sport or type of gun doesn't mean its usless. Most people shoot or hunt just for enjoyment, and Wendy and her crew just love all this in fighting. Remember DIVIDE AND CONQUER.
 
This 18" Open cylinder shotgun has taken dozens of grouse.

ry%3D400


Do I reach for it over one of my 20 guage SxS or O/U shotguns when I go for a walk looking for grouse? No. But it's right at home bashing around in a truck or boat and used for targets of opportunity.
 
cyclone said:
Simple solution: have more than one shotgun! :nest:

I have 2 of the 30-incher variety (old Ithaca 37 & a Remington 1100), 2 at 20-some-odd inches (both 1897's), 1 Winchester 37(0?) @ 18.5 inches but with a normal stock, and 1 CBC-Remington at 18.5 inches but with the stock cut-into a pistol-grip....:stirthepot2:

I happen to love each in their own special way! :D
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I guess I should have mentioned that part. I already have a Cooey 84, which is essentially the same as the Iver Johnson, and it will never see a hacksaw.

I'm not looking to go all Book of Eli or kill zombies, I just thought I don't need 2 30 inch barrels, and an 18.5 with a slightly shorter stock might be a good gun for hikes or stowing in a backpack- especially once the hinge is apart.

So has anyone out there actually taken any fowl with a self-made 18.5" full choke? And what type of shot were you using?
 
Longwalker said:
OK now for a real test, take your 40 "competitors", and have them shoot against any 40 regulars at a sporting clays shoot. They would go home hanging their heads in shame. Not one of them would place ahead of a real shotgunner. Short barrels are a lot of fun for blasting all sorts of stuff, but they are NOT serious tools for shooting the targets that shotguns were intended for. Shotguns ( with the exception of slug guns) are not intended for "40 to 100 yards" - that is a very specialized, fringe activity. It is fun, no doubt, but hardly represents mainstream shotgun competition or hunting or self defence or any thing else of consequence.
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gear down, big rig!

no need to start insulting him or the people that he is competing against. figure out how to disagree with him like an adult.
 
One more time Blueblast once you cut it to 18 1/2" you will not have any choke. I too have a coachgun 20 ga and it will do not bad on clays if I do my part, but it has a choke. Once cut to cylinder only relatively close shooting. If the stock is cut to a pistol grip even closer since only instinct shooting now.
 
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