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< 16ga. Guns ~ Shortest barrel? |
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Posted:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 7:42 pm
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Joined: 12 Feb 2014
Posts: 36
Location: Chesterfield VA
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I've got a chance to pick up a Winchester M12 in 16 with a non-ventilated choke device (originally a full choke barrel). Total barrel (no vent rib) length is 25" and the small frame feels really good.
Unfortunately, the gun is not nearby so I can't do pictures (yet).
It is not a collector piece. It has some stock/forearm issues, but not a deal breaker,
I've been toying with the idea of getting the choke cut off and the barrel set up with thin wall choke tubes. That would effectively give me a 22" barrel. I think with the small frame, the overall compact size would not be a detriment but may look funny/out of balance.
General question/discussion:
Is that too short a barrel?
Leave it like it is?
Look around for another orphan to rescue?
Am I overthinking this? |
_________________ John
LCDR USN (Ret) |
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Posted:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 8:05 pm
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Member
Joined: 24 Jan 2007
Posts: 467
Location: SC PA
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Unless you really want a short barrel, I'd leave it as is if you get it.
I did exactly what you're considering with a 20ga Ithaca 37 and have regretted it ever since. Totally changed the gun's handling (not for the better IMO). Disliked it so much that I eventually bought a 28" barrel for the gun. Much better now.
Marcus |
_________________ "A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man" - Vito Corleone
''Common Sense isn't common" -Lefty Kreh |
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Posted:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 8:32 pm
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Joined: 12 Feb 2014
Posts: 36
Location: Chesterfield VA
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Thanks.
I just browsed one of the auction sites and it look ,there are other orphans within my price range. No rush on a decision-I'm set for this hunting season. |
_________________ John
LCDR USN (Ret) |
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Posted:
Tue Nov 28, 2017 8:38 pm
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Member
Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 9472
Location: Amarillo, Texas
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Buy the gun
Use it for one year before
you decide on any modifications
Mike |
_________________
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USAF RET 1971-95 |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 29, 2017 5:07 am
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Member
Joined: 06 Oct 2007
Posts: 2354
Location: West MI
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I don't think 22" is too short and IMO for a quick snap shooting Upland gun almost necessity. As far as looks, that's entirely personal preference, but I think my...
20ga BPS Upland Special 22"
20ga Rem LT-20 Special 21"
16ga 11-48 Brush Hog 23"
16ga Citori Upland Special 24"
all look fantastic when I toss them up to my shoulder after flushing a bird or bunny while brush busting or when shooting low gun Skeet, 5 Stand or SC's.
Fun stuff, best of luck with whatever gun you purchase. |
_________________ Sorry, I'm a Duck Hunter so shouldn't be held strictly responsible for my actions between Oct 1st and ice up. |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 29, 2017 8:17 am
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Joined: 31 May 2009
Posts: 153
Location: Orofino, Idaho
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I'd leave it alone. I had a BPS with the 22" barrel and found it way too "whippy". I replaced the barrel with a 24" Hasting Wadlock11 barrel and I've found that length to be my favorite in a repeater. In fact I fitted my new Ithaca M37 with a 24" barrel from Ithaca and I really like how it handles, too. |
_________________ I have more 16ga. shotguns than I need, but fewer than I want...At present: DeHaan S2, Remington M31L, Remington Wingmaster 870. |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 29, 2017 4:12 pm
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Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1460
Location: Eagle, Nebraska
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I have an upland special 24"
Sweet 16 with 22"
Browning Gold with 20" |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 29, 2017 6:39 pm
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Joined: 11 Dec 2015
Posts: 83
Location: Upstate, SC
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I have a 21” barrel I sometimes use on a 1100 Lt-20. It is great for grouse, woodcock, and quail. It is quick and I refer to it as my “bank robbing” barrel. I also have a 24” barrel for a Beretta AL 390 20 gauge. The 1100 seems quicker, but the Beretta is smoother.
I have turned away from many Model 12s with aftermarket Poly Chokes and Cutts Compensators. I just do not like them.
I probably would shoot the gun for a while before cutting the barrel. |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:01 pm
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Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1257
Location: Nebraska
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I set up a friend's son with an 1100 Lt-20 and included a 21" Special Field barrel. Figured the lighter fixed choke design and shorter length would help a beginner balance the gun and he could use the 28" choke tubed barrel as he grew comfortable with it. I guessed wrong, the important element was a youth stock to get a fit he found comfortable shooting with the original barrel so I swapped him a 28" fixed choke 3" Magnum barrel.
I'd tried all of these barrels on the gun at clays and didn't find the 21" detrimental at Skeet. Maybe it's because the 1100 felt like it had a lot of its weight in the middle, but I didn't think the barrel length drastically changed its feel. |
_________________ Bore, n. Shotgun enthusiast's synonym for "gauge" ; everybody else's synonym for "shotgun enthusiast." - Ed Zern |
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Posted:
Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:40 pm
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Joined: 25 Aug 2014
Posts: 286
Location: Finger Lakes
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Depends on what the guns intended use is? For past shooting,waterfowl etc probably not the best length. But for grouse where quick shooting is the norm it would be good. Also for stationary targets. Turkeys,squirrels etc. would be great too. |
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Posted:
Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:05 am
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Joined: 24 Jun 2013
Posts: 2068
Location: canandaigua - western n.y. (formerly deerhunter)
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woody , didn't we just see Dougie hit a 23 at skeet the other day with his 1100 deer gun . Of course , the only birds he missed was station 5 and 6 where the longer distance usually makes the short barrel iffy !! |
_________________ Molly sez AArrrooooooah ! |
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Posted:
Thu Nov 30, 2017 1:54 pm
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Joined: 25 Aug 2014
Posts: 286
Location: Finger Lakes
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16gaDavis wrote: |
woody , didn't we just see Dougie hit a 23 at skeet the other day with his 1100 deer gun . Of course , the only birds he missed was station 5 and 6 where the longer distance usually makes the short barrel iffy !!
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I wasn’t at the club that day but Doug told me about it. |
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Posted:
Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:37 pm
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Joined: 05 Apr 2017
Posts: 155
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Stock issue. Forend issue.. Barrel issue. Run away. Hardly enough left to part out if you got it for free. |
_________________ Winchester 21 16 ga
Browning 525 Sporters 30 & 32 16 ga
CSMC RBL 16 ga |
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Posted:
Sat Dec 16, 2017 11:32 am
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2127
Location: Hudson,Wy
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For what it is worth, I used a Rem 1100 with a 21" barrel for many years and loved it. I like the way short barrels change the handling on pumps and autos. Some may say too short, but a Model 12 with a 22" barrel should give an overall length very similar to a double gun with 26" tubes and double so endowed receives far less criticism. Add a rib and choke tubes and it would be a fairly decent gun, especially if you are into fixing up old stuff to make something nice. |
_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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Posted:
Tue Dec 19, 2017 11:01 am
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Joined: 01 Oct 2016
Posts: 3
Location: Ohio
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I have very similar Model 1912 with a polychoke. The polychoke looks weird but I find it very convenient. It patterns plausibly enough. The adjustability is very convenient in the field or on a sporting clays course. I wouldn’t use it for formal competition but would everywhere else.
How do you shoot with short barrel guns? |
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