Drilling a hole in a shotgun barrel

[mmatt]

So I want to install a set of rifle sights on my shotgun. Unfortunately, I know just enough about this to be dangerous. Can I drill straight through the barrel, tap it, and then screw on my rear sight without worrying about the pressure blowing it out?

It is a single shot 12 gauge Cooey. I was thinking about drilling the hole about 10 inches from the breach.

Thanks!

Matthew

 

[bjsgear]

no holes

have a sight base silver soldered on by a gunsmith, no holes !!

 

[Doc M]

+1 for bjsgear - silver solder, NOT a drill/tapping of the barrel.

-M

 

[LUFA.CA]

depend size of bore

i have put sight on my NEF and no prob with drill/tap

cheers,
LUFA.CA

 

[gunasauras]

depend size of bore

i have put sight on my NEF and no prob with drill/tap

cheers,
LUFA.CA

Perhaps, but unless you barrel is only 11" long, drilling a hole all the way through the barrel 10" from the chamber is a no brainer, DO NOT DO IT! If the metal is thick enough, you can drill blind holes, but ensure it is thick enough to leave enough meat to contain the bore pressure. As previously suggested, soldering them on is the way to go for rifle sights on a shotgun barrel.

 

[monkeycanada]

An old gunmakers rule: "never weaken a barrel anywhere near your face or hands," and 10 inches is too close to your hand if the barrel splits.

 

[beretta boy]

" I know just enough about this to be dangerous. "

................That about covers it !

 

[Grizzlypeg]

It was a rifle, but there was a post about a guy who lost part of his thumb when blind holes drilled in a rifle barrel let loose energy upwards.