Iver Johnson - Cut Down

effects

effects

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So I am planning to shorten an Iver Johnson "Champion" 12ga single. I plan on cutting the barrel to 18.5" and will maintain length over 26" over all. I have photoshopped the mock-up of what I plan to do. I will also redo the bluing overall with the "rust blue" process. I'd appreciate any comments or ideas. I have seen the great job Matt did with his 20ga that went to pistol grip and 18" barrel, but I believe I am interested in just shortening the stock and shortening the barrel. Can anybody think of any reasons not to? Any way here's what I plan to do with the before and after:

BEFORE:

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Both stock and barrel AFTER (photoshopped):
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Pipe cutter and file the muzzle flat and square. Drill and tap for the bead or put on rifle sights. The muzzle flash and blast will be stout with a 12 guage, but not terrible. You won't have any choke, but slugs should shoot nicely.
 
i would give the idea about cutting the stock some consideration as the gun may not fit you with a shortened stock . as for cutting the barrel i have a similar ivor with a cut down barrel . it makes for a handy package that you do not worry about scuffing up . mine has a black paint job and it is easy to touch up .
 
So this doesn't take long at all. I published the photoshopped pictures just a few hours ago and I now have cut and squared the barrel and ended up at 18 5/8" (right where I planned to). I cut 2" off the stock with my table saw (more than I had photoshopped). You would think that it would be wiggly and difficult but I used the straight back of the stock against the cross slide. The butt was actually square in the vertical just lying on the table and using the cross slide it was square across. I sanded down the butt plate by installing it, marking with a pencil, sanding it with an orbital sander using 100 grit, and repeat until it fit well. I then wet hand sanded it with 600 and then1500 grit to bring back the shine. I had to shorten the stock bolt by 2". I have the luxury of owning a welder. I cut it and then welded on a nut as a screw head. I used my angle grinder to cut a slot in that to make a slotted head for the bolt. The length of pull is now 12 1/2 ". Still to go: drill and tap the bead and to start the long process of rust bluing. I'm very pleased up until this point. I should mention that this shotgun only cost $75 all in.:)

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It started out looking like this just a few hours ago:

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I have a Cooey that was modified exactly like what you are doing. It's a great project idea and a fun gun in the end...Great job!
 
Looks great! I have been planning this same project myself but haven't found exactly what I would like for a donor gun. The Cooey looks great though. You'll have to let us know how it shoots!
 
I have the identical shotgun that I bought for $35. I chopped the barrel, and to replace the sight I put a rubber hose clamp over the barrel, and tightened it down with a screwdriver. I also use this hose clamp as my front sling swivel. When I shot the gun, the front stock kept falling off, so this received a fair amount of gun tape to secure it to the gun. I bought a $6 flashlight from Crappy Tire, and gun taped that onto the barrel. In all, I have about $45 into the gun, it's short, legal and handy, and I wouldn't hesitate for a second to grab this gun if something went bump in the night. I refer to it as my abortion shotgun!
 
evilgrin said:
Looks great! I have been planning this same project myself but haven't found exactly what I would like for a donor gun. The Cooey looks great though. You'll have to let us know how it shoots!
Click to expand...

The shot gun I'm doing is an Iver Johnson "Champion".
There are photos in this thread of a Cooey Model 84 as well.

I been "rust bluing" all day and the results are looking promising. I'm going to end up with a "truck gun" all dressed up, with a finish that befits a safe queen. LOL!
 
effects said:
The shot gun I'm doing is an Iver Johnson "Champion".
There are photos in this thread of a Cooey Model 84 as well.

I been "rust bluing" all day and the results are looking promising. I'm going to end up with a "truck gun" all dressed up, with a finish that befits a safe queen. LOL!
Click to expand...
Is rust bluing the same as cold bluing?
 
any single shot is a good choice for a project like this.my first cut down was an old Winny 12ga single for a bear gun.
threading the cut barrel and the last 2 inches of the original barrel to maintain the choke is a good idea if birds are a thought,just don't leave the bead on the choke...you never know where it will end up... ;)
 
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