Cutting down a 12 ga barrel

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canadianshooter

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I've got a H&R Pardner I'd like to cut back to 18 inches. What is the home gunsmith's way to do this (ie not to expensive but with a good looking result). How do you make sure you end up with a square cut and then properly bevel and smooth the cut? Thanks in advance.
 
Pipe cutter

Do you guys mean one of the copper pipe cutters that you roll around the pipe and tighten as you go? That would give you a pretty square muzzle though I'm sure it'll be harder to get through steel than copper. What would you use to dress the muzzle up afterwards (debur and chamfer)? Thanks for the quick response.
 
Keep in mind that a pipe cutter will also raise a lip on the inside of the barrel - a bit of a pinching action. Have a look at the end of a piece of cut pipe.
Abrasive cloth can be used to smooth any roughness, cold blue can be used to touch up any bare steel.
 
tiriaq said:
Keep in mind that a pipe cutter will also raise a lip on the inside of the barrel - a bit of a pinching action. Have a look at the end of a piece of cut pipe.
Abrasive cloth can be used to smooth any roughness, cold blue can be used to touch up any bare steel.
Click to expand...

The raised lip on the inside of the barrel can be kept to a minimum by taking your time and closing the cutter just a 1/2 turn every 5 revolutions..takes much longer but you get a better end result.

Use masking tape on the barrel where you cut so the cutter rollers don't mark up the barrel.
 
I used a hack saw and then the flat side of a grinding wheel to make it perfectly square. I finished it with a solid sanding block working from higher grit to eventually 400 grit paper. It requires some talent to get it perfectly square and well finished, but it is doable. Cut the barrel a little longer and you have room to practice!;) My barrel was of fairly soft spanish steel.
 
Be sure to eliminate all of the raised lip inside the barrel. I've seen a few split barrels after a shot was fired with the inside lip not completely removed.
 
I would suggest you give yourself a margin of error and cut at 18 1/4. During the final finishing and squaring up you might furthur shorten your barrel. If it goes under 18 inch it will fall into the situation of making a prohib firearm. Not a place you want to find yourself in.
 
I used a Zip-Cut blade in my hand grinder ,works well ,patience is the key as well as preperation(a Zip-Cut is a thin metal cutting wheel ,but a Dremmel tool and cutoff wheel would also work)
I drew a line(Sharpie) around the circumference of the barrel using a strip of styrene plastic (thin cardboard or similar)and wrap it around where the cut was to be made.I then measured from the muzzle end to the line I marked at several points,to make sure the line was square and 90° (the barrel tapers from the breech to the muzzle)
I then cut very carefully watching for my line and staying on one side of it instead of splitting it.This will allow you to file or grind up to it in the final squaring up.I went slow and easy ,trying not to create too much heat...DO NOT RUSH !
I then used a file and squared up the muzzle.Then used alcohol to remove any felt pen marks.
NOTE: I also masked off the barrel to protect it from sparks etc.It may not be needed, but I like to be cautious.

I then chucked up a cone shaped grinding wheel in my Dremmel tool and removed any burrs inside the barrel.I finished up with some silicone carbide 300,400,600 grit W&D paper wrapped around some wood dowel.Take your time and check your progress.
I used a fine file to carfully chamfer the outside of the muzzle then finished up with the mentioned sandpaper.
Cold blue the raw metal (should not be much showing) and done.

It looks very good and professional.I replaced the bead with a Truglow snap on optic sight.

HTH

BB
 
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I believe the pardner is a single shot,meaning the barrel could be reduced to under 18", as long as the overall length of the gun remain a minimum of 26". 18.5" applies to a semi automatic, before it becomes a resticted weapon.
 
12magnum said:
I believe the pardner is a single shot,meaning the barrel could be reduced to under 18", as long as the overall length of the gun remain a minimum of 26". 18.5" applies to a semi automatic, before it becomes a resticted weapon.
Click to expand...

This is not good advice. 18" is the minimum. Cut less than this and it isn't restricted, its prohibited.
 
Sorry, That's what i meant, anything less on a semi you fall into the restricted catagory with anything less than 18.5" But on other actions such as bolt actions or pumps anything less than 18" is prohibited? Or is that on a modification and not factory manufactured?
 
I've read that putting a screw-type hose clamp on the barrel is a handy way to help you get your barrel cut square.I'd rather have my barrel obviously over the 470mm minimum just to avoid any nit-picking by authorities with bad eyes.
 
Use a pipe cutter to mark the barrel, saw it off slightly longer than that, file it to the line. Or wrap masking tape around the barrel... You can eyeball that real well, end up draw filing it flat with 220 grit wet or dry paper on the flat of the file ... slightly chamfer the outside edge after... deburr the inside slightly.

Longer than the legal minimum is good advice... there is no disadvantage with a barrel an inch longer... it just the "look" factor...:rolleyes:
 
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