Adjustable shotgun choke question.

[Kiwi cop]

One of my recently stolen shotguns was a Turkish made licensed copy of a Beretta semi auto 12 gauge. With an 18.5” barrel, rifle sights and a +2 magazine extention I used it for speed shotgun events.

Insurance being what it is I only received a 40% of value payout. My CAS and Wild Bunch long guns took precedence in replacement. Earlier this week I bought a second hand Remington 1100 and a +3 mag extension as a speed shotgun replacement.

Problem is the barrel is 24” which I find just a bit too long and I’m thinking of having it cut back. The only questions I cannot answer via Dr Google are:

Do I leave the barrel unchoked or not?

And if I do want a choke to I get one cut into the barrel or opt for an external adjustable choke?

I know adjustable chokes are available but I can’t find anything about them online (probably due to my option of search phrase) so does anyone have any experience with them and any recommendations for make up etc?

 

[DWalt]

If you shorten a barrel, then you remove the choke. Assuming you desire some choke, there are several ways to do it, including adding an external choke device (which lengthens the barrel) or threading the interior of the muzzle area for choke tubes, assuming the metal walls are thick enough. There is a third option, namely cutting a "Jug Choke" which is fairly simple (if you can locate someone who can do it), as it uses an inside reamer. You might wish to Google "Jug Choke" to find out more. There are opinions both ways on the performance of jug choked barrels.

 

[H Richard]

Is this a CAS shotgun? If so, what is the longest distance you would shoot in a match? If it's under 15-20 yards I wouldn't bother with any choke.

 

[oneounceload]

One of my recently stolen shotguns was a Turkish made licensed copy of a Beretta semi auto 12 gauge. With an 18.5” barrel, rifle sights and a +2 magazine extention I used it for speed shotgun events.

Insurance being what it is I only received a 40% of value payout. My CAS and Wild Bunch long guns took precedence in replacement. Earlier this week I bought a second hand Remington 1100 and a +3 mag extension as a speed shotgun replacement.

Problem is the barrel is 24” which I find just a bit too long and I’m thinking of having it cut back. The only questions I cannot answer via Dr Google are:

Do I leave the barrel unchoked or not?

And if I do want a choke to I get one cut into the barrel or opt for an external adjustable choke?

I know adjustable chokes are available but I can’t find anything about them online (probably due to my option of search phrase) so does anyone have any experience with them and any recommendations for make up etc?

24 is NOT that short, stop using it like a rifle

Yes, choke tubes can be threaded into a barrel

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The two most common exterior choke devices are Poly-Choke (still made) and Cut's (they still are in business but not making choke systems or parts!)

The 1100 Remington has so many barrels here in the U.S. I would think you could buy a used one with screw-in chokes used and have it shipped to you for less than any well done modifications!

I have a number of 12 gauge pump shot guns with cylinder bores (No Choke) and 18 inch barrels. I have no problem with engaging 105mm (standard size) clay bird at 25 yards or knocking down reactive targets (steel plates) at the same distance, (I haven't needed to try further) with these guns. Are you sure you even need a choke???

Ivan

 

[2152hq]

How short do you want to cut it,,and will the shorter length still allow the magazine extension you want to use?

I'm not in to that sort of stuff but it would seem the shorter bbl length is then tied to the extra mag length.
Once you get that sorted out, you can have screw-in choke(s) installed if you wish. An 1100 bbl is plenty heavy for that especially when cut back.

But is the distance you are shooting demanding any choke at all?, Like Ivan says if it's 25yds/ and in, a cyl will do it all.
If you do cut the bbl back, you might want to try it as a cyl choke gun first and see how it goes for you before spending more $$ on choke work.
If you go with an external choke (Polychoke) and the extended magazine tube, you have to figure about 2 1/2"+ for the choke device itself depending on if it's the plain or compensated one,,so your mag probably can't come right to the end of the muzzle.

Lots of 1100 bbls around especially in 12ga. Most of them made in the last 20yrs seem to already have choke tubes installed or at least threaded for them. I'd see if I couldn't pick one up in a shorter length to satisfy the need. Probably a lot less expensive than all the work to cut and convert a plain one.

Just some thoughts.

 

[Kiwi cop]

The two most common exterior choke devices are Poly-Choke (still made) and Cut's (they still are in business but not making choke systems or parts!)

The 1100 Remington has so many barrels here in the U.S. I would think you could buy a used one with screw-in chokes used and have it shipped to you for less than any well done modifications!

I have a number of 12 gauge pump shot guns with cylinder bores (No Choke) and 18 inch barrels. I have no problem with engaging 105mm (standard size) clay bird at 25 yards or knocking down reactive targets (steel plates) at the same distance, (I haven't needed to try further) with these guns. Are you sure you even need a choke???

Ivan

Thanks for the replies. The Poly Choke was the one I could not remember the name of or find with an admittedly quick and dirty Google search.

There are not too many barrels are available here in NZ. I know I could probably get one cheap in the US however they require an export permit and my current information (via importing dealers) is that this will be several times the cost of the barrel, even new.

My CAS SXS shotgun has been shortened with no ill effects on knocking down targets so I will try the Remington out on some steel before deciding on having it re-choked or not.

 

[Kiwi cop]

24 is NOT that short, stop using it like a rifle

Not quite shure what you mean by this, however:

This shotgun is to be used for stationary falling plate targets, not field shooting or on moving targets (clays), so no lead or follow through is required.

I happen to prefer the handling of a short (18-20") barrelled shotgun in competition over a longer barrel, even a "short" 24" one. It simply is a matter of the way the gun handles to me.

Finally, I am cross-eye dominant and while I can shoot a handgun weak handed I never mastered rifle/shotgun shooting left handed. As my master eye tends to "parallel" rather than focus just above the barrel of a shotgun then, yes, I do shoot it like a rifle closing my left eye and using the beads as a very rough sighting system. It assures that I hit what I am aiming at.

But then everyone shoots to their own preferences. These are just mine.

 

[Drm50]

I don't recall a 24" 1100 barrel 12g. Chances are it has already
be cut. Unless this is one of the Special Field series barrels but
I thought they were 21" & 23"s. I have cut off several 870 &
1100 barrels to make slug guns, the problem with them is to
have enough wall thickness to counterbore and thread. They
have a tenancy to have bore slightly off center, causing one
thin side and one thick. I think this is caused by extrusion method they use to make barrels. I doesn't hurt the use or
accuracy of gun but may be a stopper for internal chokes. I think
there is a choke built as a sleeve witch is silver soldered in
after barrel is reamed for it. Brownell use to carry it.