Shotgun Barrel Shortening

[tomburras 2,730]

Cheers trenchfoot! I think I can feel a diy project coming on.

[Deker 3,489]

 

Cheers guys, yes I'd get a gun smith to do it and I don't mind cylender chokes as it is only for close range ferreting. Would it have to be reproofed?

 

If you intended to sell it or transfer it in any way then yes it would have to be re-proofed,

 

The gunsmith is likely to insist on it before handing it back to you. It's to cover his back as well as yours.

 

 

The old chestnut rears its head again..........

 

Unless something has changed recently there is no legal requirement to proof any gun for the simple act of shortening the barrel if you want to sell it. The phrase is materially weakened, or words to that effect, cutting a barrel has not, per se, been showed to materially weaken it.

 

This debate has gone on for many years and has not been resolved. The proof houses say you have to, they would, they want the revenue, but the reality is highlighted above, a number of RFD insurance companies insist they get them proofed (just to cover their arse) and it can't be a bad thing for the owner either, but it is not a legal requirement, never has been and no court precedent has been set to my knowledge.

 

I have bought and sold, cut, non re proofed guns from/to RFD with no problems over the last few years!

 

ATB!

Edited January 20, 2015 by Deker

[tomburras 2,730]

Thanks deker!

[SportingShooter 0]

 

 

Cheers guys, yes I'd get a gun smith to do it and I don't mind cylender chokes as it is only for close range ferreting. Would it have to be reproofed?

 

If you intended to sell it or transfer it in any way then yes it would have to be re-proofed,

 

The gunsmith is likely to insist on it before handing it back to you. It's to cover his back as well as yours.

 

 

The old chestnut rears its head again..........

 

Unless something has changed recently there is no legal requirement to proof any gun for the simple act of shortening the barrel if you want to sell it. The phrase is materially weakened, or words to that effect, cutting a barrel has not, per se, been showed to materially weaken it.

 

This debate has gone on for many years and has not been resolved. The proof houses say you have to, they would, they want the revenue, but the reality is highlighted above, a number of RFD insurance companies insist they get them proofed (just to cover their arse) and it can't be a bad thing for the owner either, but it is not a legal requirement, never has been and no court precedent has been set to my knowledge.

 

I have bought and sold, cut, non re proofed guns from/to RFD with no problems over the last few years!

 

ATB!

 

 

I don't fancy being the one with case law in my name for not doing it and I dare say the gunsmith or the OP wouldn't either,

 

In my view, cutting down a double gun yourself may or may not materially weaken it. It depends on your skills at metalworking and what other parts of the gun are damaged in the mean time.

 

Until such time as you end up in the dock, who can say. I wouldn't take the chance for the sake of sending it.

[wilbur foxhound 480]

If it is shortened surely it would be stronger,wf

[trenchfoot 4,243]

fraid not

[air gun ant 1,666]

If it only cost you £60 and you want to chop the barrels, aslong as your not bothered about selling it, just go for it, keep it above 24" and when you've had enough of it just hand it in to the plod for disposal?

[tomburras 2,730]

Quite a mixed range of opinions! Sounds like it might not be worth it. I remember buying a o/u a few years ago and only realised it had been shortened a while later. There was never any problem buying or selling it so I thought it was ok to do. I never saw any proof marks from it been done.