Am I about to potentially mess up??

[Longspur321]

I've got 2 of my 12ga 870 barrels that I'm about to get cut and re-threaded. One is off of my primary turkey getter(23" barrel). I want to get it cut down to about 21". Let me just say, I get a good pattern in it, but I really want a shorter gun. Should I leave WELL ENOUGH ALONE, or should I go for it and hopefully not suffer any major drop in number's?? I will more than likely drop them off at my gunsmith's shop today so any opinions would be greatly appreciated....

[FANMAN]

If you want "A" shorter barrel...send one off ,I wouldn't send both of em .

[Longspur321]

Yea, the other one is just a 28" barrel on my 3" chambered "all purpose" gun, so that one really doesn't matter.... it's gettin chopped to about 23" regardless.

[mightyjoeyoung]

I would leave it alone.  A whole 2" is not going to make a difference in maneuverability in the woods.  If it was a home defense shotgun I'd say do it but in this case there's just no need.

[Rockhound]

I would leave it alone.  A whole 2" is not going to make a difference in maneuverability in the woods.  If it was a home defense shotgun I'd say do it but in this case there's just no need.

X2

[paboxcall]

Different gun, but same issue:  My Winchester 1300 Buck/Tom edition came from the factory with two options for barrel length, 18" and 21".  I bought the 21" because 18" just seemed ridiculously short to me, almost silly when you handled it. 

I hunt big woods, and nearly every time I sit down to work a turkey I think about how I wished I had the 18" barrel.  I absolutely prefer my 21" barrel to the other guns sitting on the rack at turkey camp that are longer, but I'd love to have the 18".

So my $0.02, since you asked; I would go for cutting the barrel down if the idea of a shorter barrel is more comfortable to you personally, or fits your personal hunting style better.

[Longspur321]

Thanks guys. Well I called my gunsmith and asked him about cutting the barrel and re-threading it with Rem-choke threads. He doesn't have the Rem-choke die to do it anyway. Might just hold off this year and send it off somewhere after turkey season.

[coyotetrpr]

What is the total cost for cutting and re threading versus just buying another barrel?

[allaboutshooting]

Thanks guys. Well I called my gunsmith and asked him about cutting the barrel and re-threading it with Rem-choke threads. He doesn't have the Rem-choke die to do it anyway. Might just hold off this year and send it off somewhere after turkey season.

To cut and thread a barrel, the o.d. and i.d. must have enough difference in them to be  threaded. Many times that difference will only allow a Tru-Choke thread or thin-wall threaded choke to be installed, rather than the original thread type. I've also seen some barrels where the threads have not been concentric and subsequent POI issues develop.

With a ribbed barrel, it's normally necessary to cut the barrel where a rib support ends. That may mean that it's not "exactly" the length that you want. Lastly, I'd only recommend that you have a gunsmith cut your barrel who has done lots of them...successfully.

To get an idea of what you need in barrel thickness, you can visit this site http://www.wrightsgunsmiths.com/Barrel%20Modification.htm

Many times you are better off to find a factory barrel the length that you want. It may take some time but in the end, you may be much more satisfied.

There's probably someone out there who wants your barrel as much as you want another one, so by trading or buying a new barrel and selling yours, you come out even or maybe ahead.

Thanks,
Clark

[SumToy]

If your Barrel has REM threads it can have them put back.  The old guns have the tru choke put in.  Now the tru choke is a fine choke.  Just because a only a few choke companies make it don't make it not worth having.   The taps that are used to do the cut and thread is run on a pilot on the bore so it will be in the center.  A Lot of times if you cut a barrel and re thread it you will see the numbers go up.  We have found ALOT of the guns off center from the factory.

Now to cut it like you talking about it will not do much but make it louder. Now that said if the choke is off in your barrel you may see it help.  DO NOT count on it.

[Longspur321]

Very good information gentlemen. Many thanks....

[Thomas6689]

I would leave it if you have no poi issues i cant see it making that much difference

[nyhunter]

I have a 21" and a 23" 870. The only time that i can tell the difference between the 2 is when there side by side in the gun cabinet. Or when I'm lookin at the patterns, the 23" does pattern a little better.