Dont judge me...

[Slinginslugs]

I'm considering taking one of these old beaters I've got laying around and cutting the barrel down to 10-12" and cutting the stock down as well. Something kinda shaped like a mares leg lever action. No particular reason why, just to have something else to burn powder and sling lead. Anybody else done such blasphemy? Pros or cons? Advice? Don't have no fancy tools, figured hack saw and a file? What about the crown? Not looking for long range accuracy. Not even gonna have sights I reckon. Thinking of using an old cva plainsman. Anyway....

 

[Slinginslugs]

Anyone else who has done this I won't judge you either. You can share your pics, I know someone else is guilty...

 

[pacanis]

It sounds familiar.
Someone on another forum was looking for a beater muzzleloader to cut down. If I remember he called it a "blanket rifle". Something that could be held concealed under a blanket wrapped around you.

I have no specifics on the blanket rifle though as far as length. It did not peak my interest enough to research it.
And since he never made his project, deeming the donated gun to nice to cut down, we'll never know...

 

[pacanis]

Amazing how well Google works sometimes

This should give you proportions:
https://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/k-3/

 

[64Springer]

Blasphemy be damned. Go for it.

I cut a trashed Jukar .45 down to 14 inches but I didn't chop the butt plate off.

Looking back I wish I had. I still may. But I'd have to refinish the stock.

Remember, pics are mandatory.

 

[kid_couteau]

I think it is a good idea
I would leave the stock though

 

[Slinginslugs]

Amazing how well Google works sometimes

This should give you proportions:
https://www.sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/k-3/

Where's that hacksaw...

 

[russellshaffer]

Don't cut the barrel that short right at first. If you saw it off and then decide to shorten more it is easy. If you decide that 12 inches is too short you will have a problem.

 

[64Springer]

OP.

If it's an octagonal barrel you can use the flats to square up your crown.

Place a carpenter's square against a flat and look at the portion of the square that crosses the crown.

File down the high points until it's 90 degrees. Do this on all eight sides. Hit it gently with a chamfering tool/countersink to remove the sharp edge at the bore/muzzle.

Eventually you'll have a good crown. Then polish the crown with your thumb and sandpaper.

 

[Slinginslugs]

As for length I was just figuring on going about 1-2" beyond the end of the stock. Just enough to have a equal amount of ramrod out.

 

[64Springer]

As for length I was just figuring on going about 1-2" beyond the end of the stock. Just enough to have a equal amount of ramrod out.

Cut your stock first.

Then put painter's tape at various distances down the barrel.

Use your eye to judge what you like. Too short a barrel will look stupid. Too long a barrel will look stupid.

Cutting the stock first will allow you to visualize the finished product better.

 

[Slinginslugs]

Sound advice springer

 

[SOLANCO]

It is an interesting exercise. But redundant for me. Already have weapons to fill any void in that ballistic sphere.

We do not need to reinvent the belly gun.

That said........I used to carry frangible rounds in unmentionables. I would be interested in frangibles for ML pistols and my unmentionables.

 

[russellshaffer]

So I wonder if the finished product would be legal for a pistol trail walk??

 

[Slinginslugs]

Done some measurements...12" of barrel puts it 1.5" out from end of stock. 8" of barrel gives me about 2" out from the barrel wedge but would have to cut the front of the stock down a bit and would also allow me to use the rear sight dovetail for a front sight dovetail and could then turn it into a straight grip pistol...

 

[Slinginslugs]

So I wonder if the finished product would be legal for a pistol trail walk??

Not sure about any of that but I bet it will be fun

 

[ppg1949]

I agree with every thing 64Springer said. I cut a CVA Kentucky rifle down to 28 inches. I did every thing Springer suggested but I had some 3/4 inch brass balls that had a 1/4-20 threaded hole in them. (I don’t remember from where but it was off the web) I put a bolt in one and cut off the head. I chucked it in a hand drill and used it to smooth the crown surface. I rotated the drill at all different angles. It took sometime, maybe an hour, but it worked. I got the idea off Youtube. I’ve also used a glass ball that belonged on top of a lamp shade. I got that at Lowe’s. Here are pictures of an original blanket gun I’ve been thinking about copying. It may be similar to what you are going to do. Good luck and share pictures.

 

[Gtrubicon]

How bout pictures of that sawed off Kentucky!

 

[Rawhide67]

Before you go all blanket gun on it, take a look at the YouTube channel "cap n ball" he had a video on a German gun, I think called a shteutz rifle or something like that. 14" rifled barrel with a buttstock, used for hunting from horseback, built that way. Nifty looking little thing.

I've been interested in doing one since I saw the video, but would need the right donor to cut up. It pains me to cut a functional gun up.

 

[Slinginslugs]

Before you go all blanket gun on it, take a look at the YouTube channel "cap n ball" he had a video on a German gun, I think called a shteutz rifle or something like that. 14" rifled barrel with a buttstock, used for hunting from horseback, built that way. Nifty looking little thing.

I've been interested in doing one since I saw the video, but would need the right donor to cut up. It pains me to cut a functional gun up.

The gun I plan to use is just an old gun I got in a trade that is kinda rough inside and out barrel wise but not to bad. Stock is fairly decent, especially if refinished. I've nearly a dozen other .50's of similar length and twist so I was looking to just have something different. Figured I took it on about $50 worth in trade so why not!