Finding a Short Barrel Semi Auto

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a cut down short barreled shotgun, semi automatic, 12 gauge, 2 3/4in or 3in. I am looking for an older one, metal and wood, no plastic. There was one on the EE a while back, but it seems to have vanished. What models or makes might be good? I am also thinking of cutting down an older semi auto that might not be very valuable.

Thank you,
Drachenblut
 
My only suggestion would be a Remington 1100 with a short barrel (probably Dlask), but A) I don't know if they ever made a non-polymer version, and B) I don't know if the 870 barrels will fit an 1100.

As for cutting down an old semi-auto... seeing your post count, I'm sure you're well aware of this, but don't forget the 18.5" rule. If that's short enough for you, then feel free to cut away to your heart's content... if not, then you'll need to get something that has (had) a short barrel available from the factory or a "certified" aftermarket manufacturer (like Dlask), which'll likely limit your choices by a fair bit.

EDIT: Actually, looking around in the Hunting & Sporting Shotgun section might be worthwhile... they may not entirely agree with your "short barrel" idea, but it seems like the best place to learn about the older (wood and metal) semi's, and once you've found a couple options you can look into whether a short barrel is available. From what I've picked up, wood in the Black & Green section usually only pops up in the "before" pictures of builds.
 
Pay attention when you altering barrel length on gas operate gun because the shorter the barrel the larger the gas port it require to cycle properly especially when firing light load.

Don't really think its a do it yourselfer's job unless be prepare to experiment.
 
I don't have experience with short semi-auto shotguns, but I would think for a really short barrel you would go with a recoil action gun like a Benelli. Gas operated guns would require enough length to get the gas to the ports. That said, I don't know of any cheap Benelli semi-autos.

Another consideration is what you will be using it for. I believe any barrel on a center fire semi-auto gun shorter than 18.5" will make it restricted. So it will be a range only gun.
 
I've seen pics of a Remington 48 that had been cut down to 18.5". It's recoil operated so you don't have to worry about messing with the gas system and a lot of parts from the 1100 will fit (stocks). I've seen them in the EE around $250.
 
BCP said:
Another consideration is what you will be using it for. I believe any barrel on a center fire semi-auto gun shorter than 18.5" will make it restricted. So it will be a range only gun.
Click to expand...

Cut the barrel shorter than 18.5" on a semi and you jump direct to prohibited status.

(E) :cool:
 
(((Echo))) said:
Cut the barrel shorter than 18.5" on a semi and you jump direct to prohibited status.
Click to expand...

I don't know exact lengths, but I do agree that cutting a barrel shorter than 18" (at least on a non-semi-automatic) makes it prohibited, but replacing a barrel with one that's shorter is allowed. Does the same rule apply with semi-autos, or is any short-barreled (shorter than 18"/18.5") semi-auto prohibited, regardless of whether the barrel was modified or manufactured to be that length?
 
pope_face said:
I don't know exact lengths, but I do agree that cutting a barrel shorter than 18" (at least on a non-semi-automatic) makes it prohibited, but replacing a barrel with one that's shorter is allowed. Does the same rule apply with semi-autos, or is any short-barreled (shorter than 18"/18.5") semi-auto prohibited, regardless of whether the barrel was modified or manufactured to be that length?
Click to expand...

Any short-barreled (shorter than 18.5") semi-auto is Restricted (with manufactured barrel); chopped barrel is prohibited.

Sadly, a restricted semi-auto shotgun is useless in Canada.
 
Hello Gents,

Yes, I am well aware of the cut down restriction. I have done a cut down once, and I always make sure it is 20", measured from a mesuring stick placed down the barrel with the action closed. Just for safety. That Remington 48 sounds good Leg. Would you happen to know the post on the EE? I would like to pick something like that up! :)
 
Haven't been cruising for shotguns in the EE recently but they do pop up fairly regularly. A fellow over on Shotgun World did one up that looked quite nice. He even added an extension but you'd be limited to one round or permanently plugging a larger one to only allow one extra. Just make sure you don't use one that clamps to the barrel since it moves during recoil, unlike the 1100.
 
That sounds like a solid plan. I will begin looking for a Remington 48... now did you mention I would be limited to only one round with this shotgun?

Thanks,
D
 
Drachenblut said:
...now did you mention I would be limited to only one round with this shotgun?
Click to expand...

The magazine extension would be limited to a +1... I know nothing about these shotguns, but from what I understand of Leg's post, the magazine holds 4 rounds. We all know about the magazine capacity restrictions regarding semi-automatic centerfire firearms, so if you decide to add a magazine extension you can only (legally) have an additional 1 round capacity, bringing the grand total up to five (four in the standard magazine, one in the extension).
 
Thank you Pope. It is appreciated. A question though, is that 5 in the magazine maximum, or does having a chambered shell, 5 in the magazine and one on the elevator still remain ok? (trap and skeet idea someone ran by me once)
 
I believe you'll be fine with five in the magazine and one in the chamber, as my understanding of the Firearms Act is that it's the magazine that's considered prohibited, not the firearm itself. I'm not quite sure what you mean by one in the elevator (as in, in the loading port?), but again, that's not "technically" in the magazine... still, as has been mentioned on here many times, the Firearms Act is open to "interpretation" by the RCMP, so while it may be technically legal to have that many rounds in your shotgun, I suggest you do so only when you're actually planning on shooting them.
 
I think what he mean is "ghost loading" it is to put a shell on top of the shell carrier while the bolt glide over it when close (I think only early model Benelli, some Beretta , MP153,some Mossberg can do that).

It will be a no no for hunting (with a total of three rounds only) but as far as I know it is not illegal if target practice because the law states clearly you can not have more than five rounds in the magazine on any semi-auto centerfire (with the exception of Garand) as long as your magazine hold no more than five rounds of the intended cartridge so if your shotgun is chamber for 3"shell you are allow to put 5 x 3" shell in the mag tube.

[youtube]KpyNoCnO4B4&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
 
pope face has explained everything well.

Standard capacity is 4+1 which would allow you to use a one round extension. The law refers to the magazine only so yes, you can load one in the chamber and one on the feed ramp if that's possible with this shotgun for a max of 5+1+1 if equipped with an extension.

When hunting you're limited to 2 rounds in the tube, one in the chamber. In some provinces this only applies when going birding, others limit it regardless of what you're hunting so check the regs as this could affect you if you're shooting in a gravel pit.
 
Fair enough. The call still goes out, I am still looking for a recoil operated semi automatic shotgun with a 20 inch or so barrel. If it is already re-choked, excellent.
 
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