Cutting Barrel to 18 1/2 inches?

[Mrserenity]

Hi I have a H&R Topper Jr 20 gauge single shot shotgun that I use for Trap and for home defense back up.  It has a 22 inch barrel.  I was thinking about ordering a 24 inch barrel for trap. Some people recommend cutting the barrel to 18 1/2 inches for home defense.  I guess this takes away the choke and makes the shot spread more significantly.  What is the advantages and disadvantages of cutting the 22 inch modied choke barrel to a 18 1/2 inch no choke barrel for home defense? And do you recommend this? Thanks.

[gwhilikerz]

The Topper with a 22 inch barrel is already pretty easy to maneuver inside a home for protection. I don't think cutting it to 18 1/2" is going to do that much to improve things. And I don't think it will open up the shot pattern to any extent either. People tend to think that a shotgun throws out a wide pattern and they just have to point it in the general direction of the threat and fire. When you are talking about inside a home the target will be very close and even a short barrel will still pattern basically in one big hole. So you have to aim. Besides, a 22" topper is shorter that a 18 1/2" pump or auto shotgun. I wouldn't change a thing. :grin:

[Brett]

I'm with gwhilikerz. Don't think cutting the barrel down will improve it's worth as a home defence gun and is likely to wreck it for anything else.

[HuntenNut]

I agree, there's one for sale here locally used that someone did that to, and it hasn't moved for 2 months at $50.

I don't see any advantage to it.

[Markus]

I have to agree with everyone else. It is not going to significantly change the pattern at home defense ranges. I did some training with the FBI a million years ago and they had 14" barreled guns and I was shooting a 20" barreled gun. On the standard military style man sized silouette targets at 10 yards and less you could not see any difference in the patterns. I have also heard varying interpretations of the law on where a barrel starts on a break action gun. Some say its at the end of the chamber and some say it's measured from the breech face. Either way you don't need to cut it.

[6Shooter]

I wouldn't do it. It would be good for nothing after you did it and you'll lose velosity with the shorter barrel. I believe the pump action shotgun would be better than a single shot for defense. Afew years ago I bought a Remington 870 youth model 20gauge. It is a shorter barrel and stock and is very handy in tight places. It cost around $210.00.