Request opinion and advise

[pgupta]

I have got a double barrel shotgun through transfer/inheritance basis from my father, and it's a old one and I was wondering if the following can be done legally :
1. Reduce the total barrel length to 21 inches from the current 34 inch.
2. Get a new stock made as the old one is in a bad condition.
3. I am told that in inheritance license I can not purchase any new weapon, how true and legal is this. for clarity I am based in Delhi.

I don't want to get on the wrong side of the law and thus seek learned opinion from the members here.
Regards

[pgupta]

Bumping it up, hoping for a answer.

[Vineet]

1. Yes barrel can be cut to 21 but you will loose the chokes.
2. Yes
3. Dont know about Delhi but in Punjab it can be changed. Also there is no law that says one can not change inherited weapon.

[pgupta]

1. Yes barrel can be cut to 21 but you will loose the chokes.
2. Yes
3. Dont know about Delhi but in Punjab it can be changed. Also there is no law that says one can not change inherited weapon.

Thanks a lot Vineet.

Absence of chokes should not be a problem as this will only be a defensive weapon and in that scenario patters don't matter much but maneuverability sure does.
Just a follow up question can't we install chokes again after cutting the barrel?

[Vineet]

Chokes once cut can not be reinstalled.

[pgupta]

Chokes once cut can not be reinstalled.

Oh that's sad but it's ok. Thanks again Vineet

[Vineet]

[eljefe]

If , and thats a big IF, the barrel wall thickness is sufficient, you can get a set of choke tubes from overseas , find a good machinist who can thread the barrels and fit the screw in chokes.

Modern shotguns are made with suitable wall thickness of the barrels to accept threading and interchangeable chokes.
Going by your description of old shotgun, its most likely not compatible for this method.
There are other ways to choke tubes, using a cheap reamer from Amazon, its called JUG chokes if you really want to do it, and can get a good machinist.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/thre ... ing.40062/


Otherwise , stick with your original plans of modification.
Good Luck

[hornet22]

I personally like long barrel shotguns , you can get maximum out of your gun with a long barrel

[pgupta]

I personally like long barrel shotguns , you can get maximum out of your gun with a long barrel

True my only reason for reducing the size is for easy handling honestly I don't have any intrest in that gun but then it was the easiest way to get the license so went for it.

If they allow me to change the weapon then I will replace it without blinking.

If not then I will spend some money on it and make it usable.

[timmy]

It should be noted that shotgun performance depends on the powders used. Faster burning powders are consumed in shorter barrels whereas slower powders require longer ones to burn completely. (This is also true for rifles, notably 7.62x39 and 22 Long Rifle, which are usually loaded to be optimal in 400mm barrels.) There is a point at which a longer barrel can actually slow down a load, due to the expansion coming to an end and the longer barrel inducing friction.

None of this takes ergonomic factors into account, such as sight radius, the gun's "swing," and balance.

Naturally, a shorter barrel is more manageable in close quarters or brush.

Like so much, it's a "different horses for different courses" type of choice.

[pgupta]

It should be noted that shotgun performance depends on the powders used. Faster burning powders are consumed in shorter barrels whereas slower powders require longer ones to burn completely. (This is also true for rifles, notably 7.62x39 and 22 Long Rifle, which are usually loaded to be optimal in 400mm barrels.) There is a point at which a longer barrel can actually slow down a load, due to the expansion coming to an end and the longer barrel inducing friction.

None of this takes ergonomic factors into account, such as sight radius, the gun's "swing," and balance.

Naturally, a shorter barrel is more manageable in close quarters or brush.

Like so much, it's a "different horses for different courses" type of choice.

So true. I only want to shorten it for close quarter self defense.