barrel wall thickness on h&r shotguns?

[jammer308]

Hi all. I want to get a 20 and 12 gauge vent rib set for a handi. Problem is a like a shorter barrel and want to cut them to 20" or so. My question, Is there enough material at 20" to re-thread the muzzle for chokes? I'm talking specifically about the vent rib barrels. I have no interest in the tracker or others. Thanks.  jammer

[Cookiemann]

I do not have exact specs for you.  However, the Topper Delux Classic(TDC) barrels come already with choke tubes.  There should be no problem having them shortened and threaded for choke tubes.  You only need find a reputable gunsmith to do the work.  Just a guess, not knowing where you are located, it will probably run between $75 and $100.  My Tracker I cost $70 and that included 1 choke tube, but mine had no vent-rib so yours may run a bit more.  Good luck with your project.  Those will be a very "Handi" pair of shotguns and versitile too.

cookiemann

[jammer308]

Thanks Cookiemann. I'm aware they already come with tubes installed, but not sure if they're "light contour" or not? Anyone?

Yeah, I figure they'd be pretty nice to carry walking around the woods in shotgun only zones here in wi. I'll mount a set of clamp on iron sights on the rib, as well as a scope mount. I like my scopes mounted forward on my "hammered" guns. I just can;'t stand the interference of the scope when trying to cock the hammer and I don't like the concept of hammer extensions. Being in wi. the majority of my hunting is done in cold weather when I really need my gloves on.

[Cookiemann]

I hear that...I'm just next door in Minnesota.  I have toyed with the idea of putting on a hammer spur, to see if it's "Handier" to cock the hammer, with gloves on.  I don't have anything with a scope on it.  I, too, like the smooth, streamlined contour for carrying around.

When I had my Tracker I tapped for chokes, he used TruChokes designed for thin wall installations.  The specs you are looking for may be listed in the FAQ's...possibly, at the top of the H&R rifle forum.

cookiemann

[Markus]

I would guess that since it is threaded for choke tubes and seems to get wthicker as it goes back from the muzzle it should be fine. I wonder how the rib will hold up?  I've had the idea of a short barrel vent rib gun as well. Links to FAQ is also at the top of this forum. Keep us posted on how this turns out.

[Busta]

Hi all. I want to get a 20 and 12 gauge vent rib set for a handi. Problem is a like a shorter barrel and want to cut them to 20" or so. My question, Is there enough material at 20" to re-thread the muzzle for chokes? I'm talking specifically about the vent rib barrels. I have no interest in the tracker or others. Thanks.  jammer

jammer308,

Last year I was in Williams Gun Sight, and they had a used Topper Deluxe Classic on the rack that had the barrel cut down and re-choked. It was around 20" or a little less. Of course the rib was cut and had a new bead installed too. I don't know what type of chokes were installed, but if they can get Win-Chokes in the end of the tube, I'm sure they can be installed back further with no problem.

[jammer308]

Thanks Busta. That's what I needed to hear.

Markus, I cut an 870 a while back and had it re-threaded no problem. But that is an express model,remington makes "light contour" barrels that have a thinner wall through the middle section of the barrel. I've seen some that even have it stamped on the barrel, "Do Not Modifiy barrel". Sounds like I should be good to go with the H&R. Oh and the rib was no problem. Might be though, on a mossberg or other make that uses a floating rib?

Prolly should have checked the FAQ's but sometimes I just like to b.s. you know?    Thanks fellas.