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Gunsmithing Shortening a semi-auto shotgun barrel (non-NFA)

Mister Ridge

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Full Member
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  • Aug 15, 2011
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    Maryland
    I understand that on some semi-auto shotguns, shortening the barrel can affect reliability with light loads. Is there a way to correct this? The gun in question would be a Winchester Super X3/FN SLP and the barrel would go from 22" to 18.5"
     
    With that gas system you will be fine. Once the gas has energized the system, it will cycle unless you get really crazy with it like cutting the barrel off 1 inch past the gas port. Recoil operated is a different story though.
     
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    Thinking outside the box, why not sell that shotgun and buy one that meets your new criteria?
     
    What's the 18.5 in barreled shotgun being used for?
    Range toy, when I'm not bird hunting with a 26 inch barrel, deer hunting with a 22 inch rifled barrel, or trap shooting with a 30 inch barrel.

    Oh, and it'd be nice to be able to mount a red dot without having a rail permanently mounted to the receiver.
     
    Avoid mossberg semiauto shotguns for anything more than just range fun. The most reliable one ive had experience with still required a detailed cleaning after 4 boxes of shells. Most of them are single shots based off the 4 Ive messed with.