Making a coachgun from an oldie

BCRider

BCRider

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I'm looking at a coach gun compact SxS and in looking over the EE forum I'm seeing a fair number of older and less desireable SxS's for pretty reasonable prices. So it occurs to me that I've got some metal tools and can "saw off" a set of barrels as well as the next guy. So I'm thinking why not pick up one of these older SxS's and convert it to a coach gun? The questions that follow are....

  1. Is this legal? Assuming I keep the lengths of the barrel and overall within the requirements of non-restricted of course. If I do it do I just need to pass on the new barrel length info to CFC?
  2. Will it somehow affect the joint strength of the center rib?
  3. And what aobut the removal of the choke areas? I'm only planning on using this at shorter range for some plinking and possible cowboy action and perhaps some slug work. Will the lack of choke affect this in a bad way?
 
If you cut barrels less than aprx 18.5" on a non-restricted firearm, you are creating a prohibited firearm, regardless of OAL.
 
I understand that a lot of barrel regulation (ie where the barrels shoot comparitively) is generally done with a shim at the end of the barrels (which would be cut off).
That being said I know a lot of people have cut down coaches so maybe they can pipe in.
 
Stevo said:
If you cut barrels less than aprx 18.5" on a non-restricted firearm, you are creating a prohibited firearm, regardless of OAL.
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Good to know. I'll keep it to between 18.6 and 20 inches and avoid THAT bugaboo. This is in the range of length I had in mind anyhow. I don't want the Dominion outlaw look. Just something more compact and lighter to swing around.

As a newbie I didn't know about that being the way they regulate the barrels. Again, that's good to know. Thanks.

Oh, did I mention that I've had a "thing" about SxS's since I first ever was able to recognize one firearm from another? To me a SxS is the quintisential shotgun. Probably something to do with watching too many cowboy movies when I was a kid. Hence the desire to do this with a SxS rather than just get a short tacticool pump and be done with it.
 
I am also on the lookout for a high quality coach gun, I love the way the outlaw looks but am a bit leery about quality, as i need it to be spot on for bear defence.
 
I don't blame you. If I was actually using a gun for my own protection and wasn't just a range plinker I'd definetly be spending a bit more for a firearm I know I can trust. Not to mention that a single barrel pump would be lighter and hold a couple of more rounds.
 
i chopped one for an old duffer back home once, just cut it with a grinder, cleaned it up with files, and reblued the cuts with a cold blue. nothing fancy. when i returned it he took it out and called back saying it was a good job for close shooting.

I dont know how many rounds he's put through it, but i last seen him a month ago while visiting and he still loves that shotgun.
 
BCRider said:
Oh, did I mention that I've had a "thing" about SxS's since I first ever was able to recognize one firearm from another? To me a SxS is the quintisential shotgun. Probably something to do with watching too many cowboy movies when I was a kid. Hence the desire to do this with a SxS rather than just get a short tacticool pump and be done with it.
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Sounds more like you watched just enough cowboy movies as a kid. One can never have too many SXS's.:D

You called yourself a newbie, which prompts me to caution you about chambering on those older SXS's. What you'll find is that those produced at the turn of the (last) century are almost all chambered in 2 1/2". There's always exceptions, but the vast majority of those were proofed for black powder. If the barrels are in good condition, low pressure nitro loads may also be an option. Sadly, those are starting to get hard to find, too.

If you want to keep it simple, make sure the gun you buy has 2 3/4" chambers and is proofed for nitro (smokeless) powder. I apologise if you already knew this, but I thought best to err on the side of safety.
 
1. find and oldie on the EE that ISN'T historically significant
2. chop the barrels at 20"
3. phone the CFC and let them know
4. enjoy your new lightning fast, cylinder choked shotgun.

Ithacapose.jpg

(apologies to those of you who have already seen this pic, but I just can't get enough of my sweet little Ithaca!)
 
Keep an eye open for a Rossi Coach gun. There was one in EE not too long ago. That's exactly what you want, no cutting required.
 
jaydog said:
1. find and oldie on the EE that ISN'T historically significant
2. chop the barrels at 20"
3. phone the CFC and let them know
4. enjoy your new lightning fast, cylinder choked shotgun.

Ithacapose.jpg

(apologies to those of you who have already seen this pic, but I just can't get enough of my sweet little Ithaca!)
Click to expand...


I don't think you have to phone the CFC as nothing on the reg cert changes. The barrels are still over 470mm.
 
ive done a few. last one i did was a big spanish 10. cut down to 20". shoots very well still. had to build a lil piece and silver solder it into the center rib to close up the middle hole, between the bbls but that wasnt to hard.
i sure get looks when i take it partridge hunting
 
How old? Don't bother with any damascus barreled shotgun. They're not safe to shoot with any ammo.
2. It might. Not all doubles have barrels that are joined together over the whole length. Just cutting them might screw up the regulating of the barrels. That's what makes both barrels shoot to the same POA.
Doing anything to a double, be they SxS or O/U, is really a job for a smithy who knows how.
Shooter's Choice, in Waterloo, Ontario, is listing new 20", 12 ga., IGA Coachguns at $465. They're made for Stoeger in Brazil. Rossi doesn't make 'em any more, but they do show up at gun shows and on used gun racks in shops, occasionally.
 
Jaydogg, that is exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout! Lovely looking gun you have there. And no apoligies needed. I already knew that much from my readings but it's ALWAYS better safe than sorry. Ditto on the Damascus barrels for you sunray.

I only just started shooting last fall and reading up on shotguns about two months back. Found the info on black powder and damascus a while back. But again a reminder is always welcome if it'll avoid an "interesting" moment...

Definetly not looking for a historically significant arm to do this to. The idea is to adapt something that no one will shed any tears over. Had a chance to see a bunch at the local gun show in Chilliwack this past weekend. Now I'm on the hunt but I realize that some of these cheaper oldies can come with a lot of issues such as separated ribs (saw one) and loose hinges (saw about 4 with that issue). So I'm pretty much going to shop locally or make sure that there is an understanding that it's full refund if there's any significant issues of this sort.

All you folks telling me these glowing stories of how much fun you're having with your conversions is really making the drool flow.... :D

I suppose the ultimate would be to shorten the barrels and then do a ream and thread job to be able to install screw in chokes. Now this is where my newbie'ness comes in again. I'm not sure how much meat there needs to be in the wall to be able to thread them safely. Anyone?

PS: Before you say "Well! THERE GOES THE BUDGET!" I should add that I've done my fair share of metal working and have the machines needed to do this sort of work so it wouldn't be a case of having to pay for the reaming and threading.
 
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Have you looked at the used doubles that Tradeex has listed? Lots of candidates there, at reasonable prices.
 
BCRider said:
Jaydog, that is exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout! Lovely looking gun you have there.
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THANKS! I bought that sweety from one hell of a CGN'er Dark Alley Dan. It was already chopped down and he had taken it in to the 'smith and had everthing tighenend up and the barrels reamed out to fit modern ammunition. I slip through the thorniest thicket after rabbits and woodcock like a greased eel with those short barrels!
The suggestion to chop down a Tradex shotty sounds like a good one to me. I have a spanish (Armas Eibar) 12ga and love how it points.
 
x2 trade ex i just bought an old sxs from them and i paid 100$ for it... the tip of the barrel had a bump in it but i dont really care cause im cutting down the barrel to 19inches anyways...
 
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