Removing Vented Ribs on Barrel?

[jmzzl 146]

I have an older Remington 870 Wingmaster 20 gauge. It's just an old beater, and was thinking about spiffying it up a bit and converting it into a HD shotgun. I would like to change the 28" vented rib barrel out, into a 18.5" smooth barrel, but ran into a dilemma. Turns out that older 870 20 gauges are built on 12 gauge frames. That means a brand new 20 gauge barrel is too small to fit into the receiver. A 12 gauge barrel fits fine, but obviously isn't compatible using 20 gauge ammunition. My only choice is to either find one on Gunbroker, which I have been looking about twice a week for a couple years, or modify my current one. I've given up on the search and have decided that if I want to do this, I will have to modify my current barrel. I have seen a few tutorials and such, but would rather have a professional do the job. If I mess it up, then the gun is just junk because I can't find another barrel.

 

My question is, is there a vendor here that would be able to cut this barrel down to 18.5", and remove the vented ribs? I have a buddy that refinishes metal, so I can take care of that part. This is somewhat of a budget project and I don't want to pay out the wazoo.

 

Thanks.

Edited November 12, 2012 by jmzzl

[Voltia 375]

I think you'd be better off buying a Mossberg the way you want it, and you'd also have two guns. Leave the old gun unmolested, it's

the least you can do after decades of faithful service.

[jmzzl 146]

I know I could just go down to the pawn shop and pick up a great used gun for ~$150-$200. If I can get the barrel fixed the way I want it for like 50 bucks, and let me do the rest of the work, that'd would be the way I'd go. As I said, I am sorta on a budget.

[csspecs 1,987]

Youtube has several videos on how to do it.. I'd make the suggestion to leave the vented ribs as they make aiming simpler, and allow the glow in the dark sights. Just trim it to the closest post.