Sawed off Stevens

[T.R.]

When I was a young teen in 1967, the only shotgun I had access to was an old Stevens break open single barrel in 16 gauge.  It was choked FULL and I missed more than I could hit with it.   One morning in Jr. High home room I was complaining to my buddy about this shotgun.  Our conversation was overheard by our Shop Teacher.  He offered to "fix it" for me.  He told me to get the OK from my Dad.

I talked to Dad about it and he said go ahead.  So next day I brought my un-loaded shotgun to school on the bus (in a case).  No kidding!!!  My shop teacher cut the barrel to 22 inches on the lathe and re-fitted the bead.  After that, my shooting improved tremendously!!

A "sawed off" shotgun barrel is useful for more things than home defense.  The open patterns certainly helped me on running rabbits, moving squirrels, and ring necks.  As I recall, I used low base 7 1/2 for everything.

TR

[Cleburne]

Don't mean to change the subject, but your mention of taking the shotgun to school brought to mind my high school speech project. I too took a gun to school, a hand-me-down .22 bolt action (a Stevens/Springfield at that). Rode with me on the school bus that morning. Gave a talk and demonstration of its operation. No raised eyebrows back then.
 
I have a Baikal 12 gauge side x side coach gun I used for years in cowboy action shooting (CAS). Never took it hunting, but might have to now. Both barrels are cylinder bored. Might do for squirrel hunting.

Thanks,

Cleburne

[spruce]

Had a Stevens model 620 pump riot gun with U.S. stamped on the receiver when I was in high school.  Hunted everything with it and shot a lot of game.  Never felt handicapped by the lack of choke.
 
Know what you mean about schools.  During hunting season probably half the cars in the parking lot had shotguns or .22's in the trunk!

[BW56]

Just had removable choke tube put in my 18 1/4" 20 gauge. Dropped the butt end 1 1/2" also. Love the way the ole girl shoots again.
Pre 70's cut in the late 70's.

[GLShooter]

I've got a Browning Citori that was chopped  by an idiot many years ago.  Luckily he cut it to 18 1/4" like your 20 gauge. A friend of mine, who owned a gun shop, bought it from the guy and installed Win Chokes. It is a very quick two shooter!!  I actually won an IPSC shotgun match with it. Thank goodness for ejectors.
 
It is a great little gun for rabbits and close in doves.
 
Greg

[pastorp]

GL Shooter,

So why was the guy who chopped the Browning a idiot? Sounds like the gun was usefull. 

Regards,

[huntswithdogs]

When I was sixteen I stopped by a pawn shop to brouse. I ran across an Ithaca Deerslayer. 20'' barrel, rifle sights and about a much choke as a stovepipe has. I asked the owner to put it back for about 30 minutes and hightailed it to the house. I brought back my Dad and my 20ga Ithaca single barrel. A short while later I walked out minus the 20ga and $100 of mowing money. That shotgun has been with me every since. I've taken squirrels, grouse, quail and rabbits enough to fill the back of a pickup. I think I killed one turkey with it, but funny thing is I've never killed a deer with my "Deerslayer". I'll have to rectify this at some time. Oh and by the way, this thang is a ball on the skeet field.
Short barreled shotguns are great in the right hands, particularly if the hands have been handling it for the past 36 years.

HWD

[GLShooter]

GL Shooter,

So why was the guy who chopped the Browning a idiot? Sounds like the gun was usefull. 

Regards,

Well it was travesty to see a fine sporting gun with the barrels hacked off and not even finished smoothly. Plus having the butt stock cut off behind the pistol grip did not add to the aesthetics or, IMHO, controllability.   My choice would have been a slight less expensive side by side if I wanted something like that.
 
My buddy grafted on a full butt stock and had the tooling for the chokes. The gun is fun to shot and with slugs it will get your attention.
 
Greg