Cutting a Barrel Down

[Minnesota1]

I have a rebuilt, in India, Lee-Enfield 4mk1.  Since it was re-hashed a bit I figure it doesn't matter if I chop the barrel a bit.  My neighbor has said I can use any of his saws and tables-which he has a pretty darn good selection of tools, saws, tables, etc.  Can anyone tell me what I would need to cut a barrel off square and what type(s) of saws, manual or electric, would do the trick?  I am concerned about it being square plus about the burrs cutting would leave and I'm sure there are some other issues involved with doing this so if anyone can guide me along I would appreciate it.  Also, if anyone is in the DFW, TX area and has their own crowning gadget and could teach me how to do it for a small price I would be indebted.  It is only a surplus rifle and I didn't pay much for it so I really can't justify dumping too much money into it.

Thanks,

Bob

[Mikey]

Bob - the only concern here is cutting the barrel too short.  Some of the No4s that had been cut down to look like the No5 Jungle Carbines were known to have lost their accuracy when cut to short.  Somewhere back in the fog of time, or the time of fog, I read that a loss of accuracy was common when barrels were shortened to less than 20". 

You stated the rifle was rebuilt.  Many of the No4s were shortened to about 22 or 23".  I believe the mil-spec barrel length is about 25" and most, like my No4 when sporterized, were cut-off just behind the front sight. 

For specific details and instructions I would run this by the gunnut69, the Moderator of the Gunsmithing Forum.  HTH.  Mikey.

[bluebayou]

People will laugh, but I did my SKS with a hacksaw and a file.  I put a steel hose clamp on the barrel after wrapping it with electrical tape (to avoid damaging the blueing).  The screw drive of the clamp was away from me.  I cut using the hose clamp as a guide.  I took it off and used the file to dress the muzzle.  The crown....I got lucky.  I tried the brass screw in the cordless drill with polishing compound trick and it didn't do squat.  Or I am not patient enough.

I cut a Mossberg Maverick 12 guage with a 4-1/2 grinder.  Just sliced it right off.  Faced it by clamping the grinder in a vise and using the vent rib as a guide to get right angle. 

In all honesty.  Both guns cost a total of $290.  It just didn't seem logical to buy $100 worth of tools from Brownells.  If I cut my Remington down..........then I would buy the crown kit for sure. 

[DonT]

Sent you an IM...

Lemme know if you have any questions....

DonT

[bja105]

I have cut down several military barrels with hand tools.
I used a pipe cutter to score a line around the barrel, then cut it off with a hacksaw, a little long of the line.  With a patched jag near the muzzle to catch the chips, file to the line, break the edge, and recrown. 
Here is a link on crowning.
http://www272.pair.com/stevewag/muzzle/mz.html

[Aardvark]

My favorite tool is a metal cutting blade on my chop saw...I only do this on old cheapo mausers I buy for fun...I then use a carriage bolt on a drill motor with some valve grinding compound to get a crown..Yes, I do have far too much time on my hands...

[1911crazy]

Cutting the barrel square on the end and getting the recrown perfect is all you have to do.

Before you do anything how does the bore look in the barrel?  Is there good heavy thick lands in the rifling or is it worn.  Like Mikey said you may lose accuracy because of the barrel being worn.  You do need to file the burrs lightly after the recrown too depending on what tool you do it with.