Cutting down a Side by Side

[DJDace]

I'm getting into Cowboy Action Shooting and I have a Stoeger Uplander side by side 12g that I wanted to see about getting cut down from 26" to 22".

Anyone have any smiths in the LA area they can recommend to do this?

[Utha Schleigle]

Cliff's Gun Smithing (orange county) and Bolsa Gunsmithing (la county).

Check rules of Cowboy Action Shooting before modifing your weapon.

Remember the coy boys probably measure the barrels with a tape measure and the BATF measure with a dowel put down the barrel. Discuss this with the gun smith or tech's that are going to modify your weapon. Also recrowning - refininsh - POLISHING YOUR CHAMBERS for competion.

Ask how the CowBoys measure.

WHAT DOES DOWEL MEASUREMENT STUFF MEAN.

If measured with a dowel down the barrel - one loses aprox 1inch to 3/4 of measure length than with a tape measure from the breach crack. Less an issue with a side by side 1/4 inch, but more an issue with a pump or semi auto. You lose th space in the action and locking system.

A common mistake is gun owner measure out 18-1/2 inches to 19-1/2inches with a tape measure and hack saws the barrel off. They go to range or hunt and the authorities measure with a dowel down the barrel and waaalay a sauded off shot gun that is ilegal length.

[m24armorer]

WRONG! Close the action, measure the lenght from the bolt face or receiver face forward. If you put a tape measure down the barrels and it's 18+ you are GTG as long as that the OAL is 26".

[DJDace]

Yeah SASS rules are that as long as the shotgun is legal then you are good to go. So a 22" barrel with the factory stock still on it should be more than fine.

[Utha Schleigle]

WRONG! Close the action, measure the lenght from the bolt face or receiver face forward. If you put a tape measure down the barrels and it's 18+ you are GTG as long as that the OAL is 26".

I think we are saying the same thing. The dowel reaches the boltface from the muzzel. Measing the inside tube. Dowels do not tiswt like tapes. If I was not not clear about action being closed, I sit in front of my computor corrected. Any way my point was check before you chopp it off.

[AKman]

Ask how the CowBoys measure.

WHAT DOES DOWEL MEASUREMENT STUFF MEAN.

If measured with a dowel down the barrel - one loses aprox 1inch to 3/4 of measure length than with a tape measure from the breach crack.

Uh, you been watching Brokeback Mountain?

[rhbanjo]

Have you shot this gun very much? A lot of the guys I shoot with are actually going a little longer on the barrel because of kick and control. You may want to shoot at a couple of matches before doing surgery. Also you can buy a new coach gun for 300 bucks and it's gonna run you at least 100 bucks to have it cut down. Check w/ Walker 47 in Anaheim or Cowboy and Indian store in Santa Ana. They both have great "smiths".
I shoot with the Cajon Cowboys- if you get up there stop by and say howdy- I go by "Banjo".

[DJDace]

Have you shot this gun very much? A lot of the guys I shoot with are actually going a little longer on the barrel because of kick and control. You may want to shoot at a couple of matches before doing surgery. Also you can buy a new coach gun for 300 bucks and it's gonna run you at least 100 bucks to have it cut down. Check w/ Walker 47 in Anaheim or Cowboy and Indian store in Santa Ana. They both have great "smiths".
I shoot with the Cajon Cowboys- if you get up there stop by and say howdy- I go by "Banjo".

Thanks much for the advice Banjo! My wife and I are just registering with SASS today! We're hoping to get out to some matches soon, even just to watch and learn and meet some local folk who can give us some friendly advice and pointers! I go by Seth "Straight Draw" Shaw I'll take the advice and hold off on the shotgun mod until I have had a chance to shoot some matches. I'm working on selling off my Marlin 30-30 to snatch up a nicely priced Marlin in .45LC to match my Cattleman. Speakin of pistols, is it true I need 2 pistols for SASS matches?

Thanks again for the advice, much appreciated!

[rhbanjo]

Yes you need 2 pistols. The nice thing about SASS clubs is that everyone is willing to help out a new guy and gal. It's an expensive sport to get in to and everybody realizes that. In our club, new guys are always offered use of weapons or able to try out someone elses gun. Go on www.sassnet.com and check out the local clubs. I know there's one near Lake Piru. If you get out to Cajon, look me up! we go as Cajon Cowboys near the 15 and 215 intersection in Devore.