1887 Lever action shotgun ideas?

Glockster Dude

Glockster Dude

Regular
Rating - 100%
32   0   0
Lots of questions so pardon me if this jumps around all over the place.

So I purchased one of the norinco or chinese or whoever reproductions of the 1887 lever action shotgun. The barrel is too damn long so I'm going to cut it down. I've been looking at getting a bead sight installed to replace the one I'm hacking off and then it sort of hit me...why? Why do I need a bead sight? Is it really that helpful to begin with? I honestly don't know so I'm looking for some opinions.

Oh and while I'm at it if someone could point me at a really good thread on how to cut the barrel down that would be very helpful. I've found a lot of threads asking about it but the instructions they receive could use maybe some photos or something. I know its fairly simple from what I have read but the more info I can get the better. Such as what kind of file do I need? Sandpaper? Where do I measure from to get the length to 18.5? I was thinking of doing 19 just in case. I've searched and searched and haven't found a great thread with instruction on how to do this.

I've also noticed that as I've been testing the gun out with some snap caps that they have actually been dinging the top of the stock where your cheek rests as they eject. See, they don't eject to the side like most shotguns. They seem to pop up straight in the air or straight at your face and well sometimes they hit the stock with a bit of force. I'm sure this won't happen with regular shells as the snap caps have a more weight to them. But I was thinking maybe I could wrap the grip with something to protect the stock and add a bit of traction but I don't know what to use. I don't want hockey tape or something like that. I'm perfectly willing to ugly up this gun a bit so any suggestion is welcome.

In summary lol. Looking for tips on:
Bead sight or no bead sight.
Good posting on shortening the barrel.
Removing dings from wooden stock.
Ideas on some sort of stock protector/grip.

Thanks and I'll try to post some pics here when I get a chance as I see there is a lot of questions about these awesome (finicky) shotguns!
 
Last edited:
id have it cut by someone who knows what there doing if you have to ask well dont do it one screw up and you have a prohibited shotgun or one that will ot shoot worth s*** id leave it as is or sell it and buy a mossberg or something
 
Glockster Dude said:
Just looking for clarification thats all. If I didn't do things just because I had never done them before life would be pretty boring. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

like i said if you hve to ask how to measure it or cut it then you sloud not do it from what it seems the barrel is already about 22 inches id leave it at that no point in pushing it to remove 2 or 3 inches the gun was made for cowboys not tactical run and gun guys who wear they're tactical vest everywhere :p
 
Frontier firearms is selling them. As is Lever Arms in Vancouver. I've been looking forever too. I've been on a wait list with Marstar and still nothing. I got mine from Lever for $450.
 
to cut the barrel properly you need a lathe, you could use a pipe cutter if you REALLY want to cut it yourself, but you loose the perfect cut and the really nice edge which will make the patterns weird and slugs shoot badly

go with a fibre optic and ghost ring sight or a gold bead and a ghost ring, its tactical style so might as well

stock grip/dings, "stipple" the stock where you want to grip it, or apply some sort of stucco-esque sand then paint it whatever color you feel like
 
its already 22" why make it shorter your only going to be cutting off 2 to 3 inch(you want to leave your self extra room) you can do it without a lathe and you can do a good job without a lathe but on this one no point
 
Its 28" not 22". I want to cut it down to 18.5" or 19".

HeavenIsAlie I was possibly thinking about doing something crazy with it like modernizing it up but that seems like sacrilege. I don't know, I'm torn on the idea. How would I go about installing a ghost ring? Everything I see on the net seems to be made for a specific shotgun in mind like an 870. Thanks!
 
a hack saw with a new blade a vice(i recamend a fine tooth one) with some wood blocks that have a channel in them to hold to barrel tightly without crushing it. measure from the breech face(inside the barrel) then some filing deburring and recorwning

id have it done by someone who knows what they're doing with tools to do it
 
damn dealers are getting these in but with the 28" barrel. I want one but not the long barrel version.....

does the right side of the receiver have "imported by lever arms" engraved in it?

as someone mentioned a lathe would be best to cut, but a pipe cutter would be second best clean cut + deburring
 
luke s said:
damn dealers are getting these in but with the 28" barrel. I want one but not the long barrel version.....

does the right side of the receiver have "imported by lever arms" engraved in it?

as someone mentioned a lathe would be best to cut, but a pipe cutter would be second best clean cut + deburring
Click to expand...


Yeah it's way too long. But I figured I'd get it and just chop
It down as I didn't know if shorter ones would become available. Yes it does say imported by lever arms on the side but it doesn't matter to me. Now that I think about it it should lol but it doesn't. The way I look at it is is that it's a clone. It's not going to be perfect. And for the price I don't expect it to be. I almost bought a chiappa version but the damn thing just wasn't impressive enough for the price. Believe it or not my chinese clone cycles better than the chiappa did.
 
Glockster Dude said:
Its 28" not 22". I want to cut it down to 18.5" or 19".

HeavenIsAlie I was possibly thinking about doing something crazy with it like modernizing it up but that seems like sacrilege. I don't know, I'm torn on the idea. How would I go about installing a ghost ring? Everything I see on the net seems to be made for a specific shotgun in mind like an 870. Thanks!
Click to expand...

depends on how the ghost ring is attached, tactical-est would be find a rail for a shotgun that fits, drill and tap the top for the screws and find a rail mounted sight to stick on there

its a cheap Chinese clone, who cares how you hack it up or modernize it as long as it works for you, if it was an original then it would be sacrilege
 
Ive got to get a new photohosting website, when I do Il throw some pictures up, I think itl probably be right up your alley... ;) Ive done a little Terminator 2 special with one Ive owned in the past, no sights on it, didnt/never needed them, with no sights to get hung up on it was the absolute perfect scabbard gun, bbl length was 18 1/2" and got quite the positive responses from it when ever I had it with me thats for sure :D
 
CST Grad C.Nixon said:
Ive got to get a new photohosting website, when I do Il throw some pictures up, I think itl probably be right up your alley... ;) Ive done a little Terminator 2 special with one Ive owned in the past, no sights on it, didnt/never needed them, with no sights to get hung up on it was the absolute perfect scabbard gun, bbl length was 18 1/2" and got quite the positive responses from it when ever I had it with me thats for sure :D
Click to expand...

I'd love to see it!
 
Glockster Dude said:
I'd love to see it!
Click to expand...

Me vs. Photobucket = ovrecovrecovrec (I had my settings on BELOW 600x800 image size and theyre still huge!?! :mad::D:mad:) Sorry to everyone who cant do massive pics... :(

Here she is... or was should I say.... :D

Before... :puke:

IMG-20110527-00122.jpg


After.... :D:rockOn::D

IMG-20111021-00488.jpg

IMG-20111021-00494.jpg


Overall I enjoyed this undertaking, I think it came out excellent for a $350 Norinco when I got her, had very positive remarks from it. The actions on these shotguns are a bit on the rough side (to be expected), you have to be a bit rough with them to get them to run efficiently at the start, but Im assuming normal "break in" time with all firearms is apparent here. You can have them 'tuned' up if you wish and make good Cowboy action shooters (PM me and I can get you the contact info if youd like), or fun plinkers. Like I said before the gun slid with no issues into any scabbard with ease, I didnt put any sights, cause it never needed them, its a point and click device like a mouse is on your computer :D I was even surprised the wood seemed to take to the stain quite nicely also... :rockOn:

Hope this helped with your decision(s)!!! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom