need help cutting 870 barrel

M

matt bradley

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
205   0   0
Location
Ontario
looking for some tips to cut an 870 remington barrel (how short can I go and what is the best way). I was thinking some where around 20" for action shooting, but not shure do to the fact that I haven't bought a mag extension and would like the mag and barrel to be flush.
Thanks Matt
 
Don't know if you live near a gun smith or what equiment you have but a year or so ago I had a barrel cut to 20" by a smith and it ony cost $35 or $40 IIRC including facing the barrel and reinstalling the bead. for me its a lot less hassle than trying to do it yourself and trying to square everything up then drill & tap or solder for a front bead/sight.

As far as length goes if having the barrel and magtube the same the easiest is to buy the mag extension then add 1/2 inch or thereabouts to that length. In any case you you can't cut below 18 inches on a pump action & most smiths will add 1/2 inch to be sure.
 
i did this years ago when it was legal - shortened it to about 18 inches or so with a hacksaw- went badly , left a "shelf " on the end, and pattern was rim only, no shot in the center- bottom line, unless you know what you're doing, get it done
 
sixty9santa said:
You can not cut a barrel down below 18.5 inches under any circumstances!
That is why most do it to 18.6.
Click to expand...
That is for semi-autos only.
Single shot, bolt action, break open and pump actions can be legally cut to 18".

If it is a plain barrel with no rib you can use a pipe cutter, just take your time and cut slowly, if you are worried about the rollers on the cutter marking the finish put a layer of masking tape over the area. It will leave a nice clean cut and the edges can be smoothed with emery cloth, then put some touch up blue on it.
 
Last edited:
How you cut the barrel and whether or not you do it yourself depends on if it has a rib or not. No rib, use a pipe cutter then file off the burrs a drill and tap for the bead.
With a rib, you'd best take it to a smithy who knows how. Not all ribs are metal or connected to the barrel over its whole length. If you cut the rib in the wrong place or it is not metal you can make a horrible mess. Not as bad as cutting with a hacksaw though. There's a whole lot more filing involved with a hacksaw to get the muzzle flat and square.
 
Mudpuppy said:
Single shot, bolt action, break open and pump actions can be legally cut to 18".
Click to expand...
Not that I don't believe you, but can you please point us to where you got your info. I've always been told that 18.5" is the limit.

IIRC if you cut to 18.5" your un-restricted. Cut it between 18.25-18.5" and you've created a restricted, anything below 18.25" and I believe you've created a prohib.

Of course if you're using a factory or manufactured barrel, then there is no limit on length, as long as the shotgun remains above 26" length. I'm talking about pumps or bolt actions only.
 
Semi auto centrefire cannot be shortened to less than 18.5" Manually operated centrefire, or any rimfire cannot be shortened to less than 18". Manufactured barrel rules are different, and action type and overall length then determine firearm classification. Approved method of measuring barrel length is boltface to muzzleface, so be careful if you are close to the minimum. Sometimes official barrel length is not the same as the actual length of the piece of steel, because of counterbored boltfaces or barrel breeches.
 
Leg said:
Not that I don't believe you, but can you please point us to where you got your info.
Click to expand...
From the Firearms Act and the CFC directly. You can call them yourself and ask to speak to a firearms tech to confirm this, while you are talking to them request copies of the Firearms Act and all the rules and regulations they have in print.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom