shorten my barrel

[11th corps]

I would like to have about 6 inches cut off the end of the barrel of my Trade Gun. It would make it easier to handle. Anyone suggest a gunsmith who might do this work?

 

[Roy]

There should be a # of builders in Indiana, but if you can't find one that you like there let me know and I'll send some pics of my work.

 

[Rebel]

You could shorten the barrel yourself with a tubing cutter, and the stock yourself with a saw, and then reshape it. Then all you would need is to have a gunsmith solder the front sight back on.

 

[11th corps]

Well I thought about cutting it myself, but was not sure if I can get it even. Have you tried this yourself? I realize I will have to shorten the ramrod, resolder the front site and the underlug, plus cut the stock. This is a trade gun I built from T.O.W. parts

 

[Roy]

I have faith in that you can do it. Use masking tape to give yourself a straight line around the barrel and use a new hacksaw blade keeping to your tape line. You could use a pipe cutter, but that will leave a ring on the inside that you would have to work out. You will probably have to re-inlet the front thimble as well. Mark the top of the barrel well so you will know exactly where the front sight needs to go to not be canted. Need to take carful measurements as well when marking for your new pin holes for the front barrel lug.

 

[musketman]

I realize I will have to shorten the ramrod,

If the ramrod is threaded, those would have to be redone once the rammer is shortend... (unless you cut off the bell end) :haha:

 

[hawk]

11th corps
I've used a chop saw to bob the barrel on one before.
It made a nice clean cut.

 

[Mike Brooks]

How long is it now?

 

[Swampman]

Probably way too short already.

 

[11th corps]

42 inches. I am having trouble transporting it in my Jeep to the range. T.O.W I believe sells the barrel in 36", Thats what I should have ordered.

 

[11th corps]

11th corps
I've used a chop saw to bob the barrel on one before.
It made a nice clean cut.

Yes, I am always looking for an excuse to buy a new tool. Would I need to quench this while its being cut?

 

[riarcher]

Would think any decent machine shop in your area could cut it off, chuck it in a lath, face square and cone or machine a slight tappering lead for you. Probably for less than shipping two ways would be for mailing somewhere. My $0.02

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

:yakyak: You don't need a shopfull of power tools to do the work. Do all of the work with simple hand tools and you will get it done quicker with fewer mistakes. Use a hack saw with a sharp, new blade to cut the barrel to the length you want, then carefully dress the muzzle square with files - if you are good with the saw you will only be lightly dressing the muzzle. Use a fine cut cross cut saw to shorten the stock and shape with files and sandpaper - restain to match. Relocate lugs for the pins and drill and you are done.

 

[hawk]

No It cuts through easily fast and clean .
We did buddies old single shot coey (he cut the choke off and some length.
Said he needed something shorter to get through the thick bush he hunts.
:hatsoff:

 

[CrackStock]

I am with Rebel. You should try using a tubing cutter at least to mark the cut. I would keep going until it seemed like too much of a strain on the cutter and then swap to a hack saw. You would then have a very good reference mark for your cut. Filing , squaring and dressing would be pretty simple compared to the work that you did in completing this gun.

On the other hand, I would not cut this barrel. I would use a trailer before I cut my gun.

CS

 

[Mike Brooks]

On the other hand, I would not cut this barrel. I would use a trailer before I cut my gun.

I second that, altho it's really none of my business.
I've hunted with flint guns with barrels up to 60" long and have no problem with getting them hung up in the woods. I can understand that longer barreled guns can be a problem when transporting in a small vehicle, but I'd figure out some solution that is a little less drastic than cutting off the barrel. Your gun may not end up shooting as well as what it does now, and once that 6" of barrel is gone you can't put it back on.
But, it's your gun, and you should do what ever you think is right for you. :thumbsup:

 

[Swampman]

I've hauled (and still haul) muskets and rifles up to 46" in my 1983 Honda Civic and my Toyota Echo. Few cars are smaller than these. If authenticty isn't an issue, then short barrels are an option.

 

[Stumpkiller]

42 inches. I am having trouble transporting it in my Jeep to the range. T.O.W I believe sells the barrel in 36", Thats what I should have ordered.

Put the barrel in first, angled towards the rear, then the butt. Lace it to the headrest if you make sharp corners.

Years of 42" and 44" barrels in Ford Ranger cabs, a Ford ZX2 coupe and VW Jettas taught me that. And invest in a wool or canvas slip cover, too. :winking:

 

[11th corps]

Thanks for all the suggestions-
I am still pondering this :hmm:

 

[11th corps]

I am not concerned with authenticity. I am not a re enactor. From photos I have seen on the internet and books, as long as the general guidelines are followed-large trigger bow, smoothbore, non inlet trigger guard etc, you could make the case that about any barrel length was used in the past. I saw a photo of a t/g with a very shortened barrel, about half of the stock chopped off, for use as a one handed weapon while riding a horse. The Indians were resourceful-they probably modified their guns to suit their needs.