WB
The transformation project is done.
Monday, June 14, 2021, 07:26

This was an inherited piece of no sentimental value. We decided to transform it on a minimal budget and I wanted to teach my youngest some about guns and tinkering. So we looked into the ATF rules, what was available on the market as to parts. Benj and I worked together on whacking the barrel rather crudely then cleaning it up on the lathe. I finally bought a fiber front sight and we drilled and tapped, fitted the sight to align correctly. I lost my 6:48 kit and had to go buy another to do the work. Most gunsmithing screws are a more fine pitch than what you commonly find at the hardware store. The most common I encounter are the 6:48 for most scope mounting applications and some 8:40 on occasion. Most 32 TPI pitch are too coarse for gun applications where you have a bottom hole.

ACE had a 5:40 tap and #36 wire gauge drill bit we were able to use. The sight seldom aligns and you have to "polish" the bottom of the tiny sight until it sits at 6 O'clock on the barrel. Some red lock-tite finishes the job. We got to use the collet tool head in my Smithy 3-in-one mill. I showed him the X-Y axis thing, leveling the piece etc. He found it interesting.

The old school pistol grip shotgun is more fun than really practical but it brought interest to a piece we had too many close examples to justify keeping it around. I highly recommend the Hogue Pistol Grip for around $30 if you can find one. Overall length with a 19" barrel is within one inch of a late model 14" barrel version. This one holds 6 and has a 100 fps advantage I'd wager. If you allow 20 fps per inch (plausible). After it was done I was kind of surprised we'd spent about $50 all in but we can use the tap later. We had fun and that's a value.