trimming end of barrel to adjust choke?

Call_to_Arms

Call_to_Arms

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Hey guys.
I know there are a100 threads on this already but I had a new thought on it. I have a couple of single shot cooeys (just like everyone else) and I'd like to be able to shoot steel through one of them. They all have a full choke in them and I'm told I'd need it modified to somewhere between a modified to a skeet 1 to safely shoot steel out of it. Most local gunsmiths don't even want to look at a 100$ gun and the ones that do say that there isn't enough steel in the barrel to bore it out or thread it for Interchangeable chokes, and if they did either it would be a $150 job, but they still won't. My question is can't the end of the barrel be trimmed back to reduce the choke to something less restrictive? This could be done on a lathe a few thousands a t a time and the muzzle measured with a micrometer to test the progress, couldn't it? I know this is kind of a "backyard" mod but it could help get lots of Canadian made guns back out in the field.... Maybe.

Or maybe this has already been discussed.

Thanks
 
The choke can be reamed out to whatever restriction you like. Don't bother threading for chokes... Ream it to modified and call it good. Can't see that costing $100... But smiths probably don't bother with smaller jobs. I believe you can buy a choke reamer at brownells... Use it then sell it on here!
 
Call_to_Arms said:
Hey guys.
I know there are a100 threads on this already but I had a new thought on it. I have a couple of single shot cooeys (just like everyone else) and I'd like to be able to shoot steel through one of them. They all have a full choke in them and I'm told I'd need it modified to somewhere between a modified to a skeet 1 to safely shoot steel out of it. Most local gunsmiths don't even want to look at a 100$ gun and the ones that do say that there isn't enough steel in the barrel to bore it out or thread it for Interchangeable chokes, and if they did either it would be a $150 job, but they still won't. My question is can't the end of the barrel be trimmed back to reduce the choke to something less restrictive? This could be done on a lathe a few thousands a t a time and the muzzle measured with a micrometer to test the progress, couldn't it? I know this is kind of a "backyard" mod but it could help get lots of Canadian made guns back out in the field.... Maybe.

Or maybe this has already been discussed.

Thanks
Click to expand...

It could be done just as you describe. I have a muzzle section from the gun in the photo below that I can check to see if the bead would have to be moved back. That might be the only issue. I'll try to check that tomorrow.

 
I didn't think reaming would be a big deal but I am told that the barrel wall is too thin. Polar, I remember that pic from another thread, I love that little Cooey, if I could build something like that on a modest budget I would be all over it. The front sight issue had occurred to me, reinstalling it is a whole other bag of worms.
 
Opening up the choke with a reamer shouldn't be a problem, though I can see where threading it for screw-in's would be. Even if you opened it up to true cylinder, the barrel at the muzzle would still be the same thickness as it is now at the point where the choke begins.
 
9.3mauser said:
Opening up the choke with a reamer shouldn't be a problem, though I can see where threading it for screw-in's would be. Even if you opened it up to true cylinder, the barrel at the muzzle would still be the same thickness as it is now at the point where the choke begins.
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Only If the choke is a machined feature. Aren't Cooey chokes swaged down to size? Or is that another brand that used to do that?
 
I don't understand why the gunsmiths you contacted wouldn't want to open up the choke just because it's an inexpensive single shot (not talking threading for tubes) . Would they open the choke up on an old wingmaster? The cost is the same and business is business. If you are willing to pay their asking price I don't see why it matters to them . As far as reinstalling a front sight bead, it is not necessary. In fact, different shooting instructors will at times say to get rid of the bead on a shotgun if you want to learn to shoot properly. Apparently too many people try aiming the gun like a rifle instead of pointing the barrel and letting the pattern do the work.
 
"...trimming end of barrel to adjust choke?..." Nope.
"...say that there isn't enough steel in the barrel..." Spoken by a putz who has never cut a Cooey barrel. The steel is thick enough to put anything on. There are DIY tools you can get. Brownell's, I think. However, if you cut about 2" off a 30" barrel(use a pipe cutter and file it), you'll have no choke. Suspect steel will work just fine out of a cylinder bore.
Or talk to Epp's. They want $65 to ream a choke.
 
"...trimming end of barrel to adjust choke?..." Nope.
Click to expand...
Can you please explain why not?

"...say that there isn't enough steel in the barrel..." Spoken by a putz who has never cut a Cooey barrel. The steel is thick enough to put anything on. There are DIY tools you can get. Brownell's, I think. However, if you cut about 2" off a 30" barrel(use a pipe cutter and file it), you'll have no choke.
Click to expand...
what is the minimum safe thickness to tap for screw in chokes? Am I a putz?

However, if you cut about 2" off a 30" barrel(use a pipe cutter and file it), you'll have no choke. Suspect steel will work just fine out of a cylinder bore.
Click to expand...
So, I can just remove the choke all together and go duck hunting with a cylinder bore? That would be a lot easier!

I know what you guys are saying about the gunsmiths, I wish I could go to work and refuse to work with old equipment or turn down small jobs.

Thanks for the info about epps, they are close enough to consider local.
 
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Cooey chokes are swaged not bored like real shotguns so reaming is not a good option . They were $39 guns u guys speak of them like they are classics for the most part they are junk . Spend $350 and by a maverick then a least u would have piece of junk u can shoot steel through
 
I trimmed two Baikal 16 bore doubles about 3/4". Both were FULL and very tight MOD. Now they are MOD and IMP CYL. One gun is a little closer to SKT1 then IMP CYL. Worked fine with no noticeable change in appearance.

Darryl
 
struff55 said:
Cooey chokes are swaged not bored like real shotguns so reaming is not a good option . They were $39 guns u guys speak of them like they are classics for the most part they are junk . Spend $350 and by a maverick then a least u would have piece of junk u can shoot steel through
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone mentioned them as classics. The fellow simply wanted to know if he could cut some off the end of the barrel on a gun he already has. Lot cheaper than $350.00 if it works. He really has nothing to loose, especially if they are junk to start with.
 
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If you cut a couple inches off the barrel that will remove or greatly reduce most of the existing choke, so will be left with cylinder bore which is not the end of the world, just means she is a 25yd and under gun. You can do this your self, so its cheap.

Or you can have the present choke "honed" out to what ever you want. This may cost you a hundred bucks, probably more than the gun is worth. But if your in love with this gun it may be worth it to you. It will cost you a lot more than 150 bucks to have screw in chokes installed. The 150 is just to thread the barrel then you have the cost of the chokes and taxes on top of that. 500 bucks would be more realistic by the time your done. This is not a realistic option for obvious reasons.
 
gunsaholic said:
I don't think anyone mentioned them as classics. The fellow simply wanted to know if he could cut some off the end of the barrel on a gun he already has. Lot cheaper than $350.00 if it works. He really has nothing to loose, especially if they are junk to start with.
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Who started talking about inches? I was talking about removing thousands of an inch off the end just like madtrapper described. Does anyone know what the internal bore measurement at the muzzle should be for a 12 gauge at the various stages of choke?
 
Apperantly everyone missed the part about SWAGDED meaning they are compressed u cannot machine the inside concentrict u may possibly be able to trim them back and achieve your goal . My point is there is nothing about a Cooey bbl that is true they are not much more than pipes internal bore diameters are very uneven. Posting choke dimension charts really does not apply . Cut of 3/4" of a inch and your good to go its that simple on a Cooey . No one mentioned classics but they seem to get the same attention .
 
I don't know where you would get the idea that because the choke is swaged you can't cut it concentric. That's what a dial indicator is for. You dial up the BORE, not the outside of the barrel.

Regardless, lathe cutting is probably not the best option. Reaming would be "best", as it's been said, but you can use a $14 canadian tire brake cylinder hone to open it up evenly. That's probably your best bet on a budget, as anything else will cost you more than what the gun is worth.
 
OP,, I searched for the Cooey barrel cut off and it has disappeared. I did find a Mosberg cut off and it would have to be cut back about 3/4" to open it up to "improved". That is past the bead hole but drilling and threading a new bead hole is not a big deal. You should be able to find someone local to do it for you but if you can't send me a PM.
 
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