Thread: Opening up shoot gun barrel cost

I'm seeing a lot of lead only shotguns bring sold in my price range. What's the approx cost to open the chokes a tad so I can fire steel through them. I'm keen to get back to a u/o for walking the rivers, hills, but to tight to stump up and get a newer one. Cheers

Good subject, I'm in a similar position. Looking forward to answers.

@oraki Try Greg Maniatis in Chch, his website say $80.00 Gunsmiths Christchurch New Zealand – Maniatis shotgun repairs, rifle repairs, modifications and refurbishment. | A family legacy since 1920 | Maniatis shotgun repairs, rifle repairs, modifications and refurbishment

Originally Posted by Mathias

@oraki Try Greg Maniatis in Chch, his website say $80.00 Gunsmiths Christchurch New Zealand – Maniatis shotgun repairs, rifle repairs, modifications and refurbishment. | A family legacy since 1920 | Maniatis shotgun repairs, rifle repairs, modifications and refurbishment

Cheers @Mathias. I'd done no homework and had no idea of price, was thinking more towards $200 to do the job. Next problem will be whether the gun will be able to handle the extra pressure of steel

Have a look at this one for sale if you could live with a side by side:

FishnHunt - New Zealands Famous Hunting and Fishing Forum Since 1995 - f/s mossberg onyx reserve sbs

Five chokes, made for steel and he wanted $500 for it.

Got to be better than fucking around with a gun made for lead.

Originally Posted by oraki

Cheers @Mathias. I'd done no homework and had no idea of price, was thinking more towards $200 to do the job. Next problem will be whether the gun will be able to handle the extra pressure of steel

All modern shotguns should be able to handle steel if the choke is correct. Chances are that some guns have already had their chokes done with the intro of steel. Some peeps never bothered and bought new so they could have the multi choke benefit for lead & steel. My old Russian Mule Baikal sxs still has the full & fuller choke and its solely for hares, rabbits & plovers. She's called a mule for a reason

or........ you could just do it yourself,its not rocket science or hard.we have done 4 or 5 over the years. if your shottie isnt tighter than modified it will be fine anyway and if its a Bakail it will take whatever you throw at it and laugh...all mine do anyway. the u/o Im a little careful with and only feed top/tight barrel smaller than 35grm loads or smaller than #2 shot and no issues so far.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

or........ you could just do it yourself,its not rocket science or hard.we have done 4 or 5 over the years. if your shottie isnt tighter than modified it will be fine anyway and if its a Bakail it will take whatever you throw at it and laugh...all mine do anyway. the u/o Im a little careful with and only feed top/tight barrel smaller than 35grm loads or smaller than #2 shot and no issues so far.

I might have to tap you on the shoulder one day, you can show me 'how easy' it is

Hacksaw blade $3 bunnings . But If you want Greg Maniatis to do it ? If you get it to me, Ill drop it to him . He's 5 mins drive & I've always had a good repore with him .

Originally Posted by Munsey

Hacksaw blade $3 bunnings . But If you want Greg Maniatis to do it ? If you get it to me, Ill drop it to him . He's 5 mins drive & I've always had a good repore with him .

Maate.......thanks for an offer like that. You don't realize the can of worms your about to open.
Still looking around for one, but only $80 has opened up a lot more options

hacksaw is drastic but if its a cheap old single barrel...why not....just take off very small amount at a time...be aware bakails barrels are smaller in diameter than others so your std choke guage wont work quite right and if you try to cut her back to more than half/modified....eerrr wrong not going to happen and you will have taken all the choke out before you twig to it.
Ive put choke back in on 2 occasions (single barrels)and its worked well and stood test of time......not much you cant do if you really think about it first and do little reading to work out how.oraki mate I will meet up with you some time in next few months and we will go tip a few birds over.

Not just the choke.The forcing cones should be lengthened as well.my old a5 was done for $93