Best value for barrel shortening?

[Caliper]

So, I have two 597 loaners that have cut down stocks and have made great loaner rifles for those of shorter stature.  However, along with shorter stature often comes less muscle and those 20" barrels can present a challenge to some shooters.  I'd really like to take 3.5" off the muzzle of each of them (ie: 16.5"), but don't want to spend the cost of a new rifle doing so. 

Does anyone know of a place that offers a great value for this service and a recessed crown job? (to protect from jabs into dirt, mud and gravel)  Preferrably convenient to SE Michigan? 

[number6]

Wizzard did the ones on the 3/4 10/22s , what about even shorter with a pinned/welded muzzle brake.

number6

[slim]

I saw a dude who hacksawed a few inches off his 700 - and shot a KD Rifleman score with it. No crown, no special work, nothing. Just chopped it off.

[Grindstone]

Remember from our KD event at Ft. Custer? It was George63 with the sawed off 700 SPS.

For kids, I think the pinned and welded flash hider is a great idea, but you will need some real tools for that.

I think Mac has some short barrels with flash hiders that were donated to him by one of our shooters.

To do a "proper" job on the lathe is actually really difficult because you have to find center on the bore at both ends before making the cut from the center out with  specially shaped cutter. It don't think it's worthwhile for a gun that kids will stick into the dirt.

[Danger]

I second the hacksaw idea.  Then there is a barrel facing tool that you can turn by hand.  Should be able to find em at Brownells or Midway USA.  Let us know if the tool really works.

[Sly223]

George 63 is the KD king if he suggests it I would follow suit.
I think the options are only limited to how much you want to spend.
I found this thread because I thought the shortening was for some other reason like Harmonics!

[Caliper]

Grindstone, thanks!  I had temporarily forgotten about Georges rifle.  I seem to recall he spent some time hand filing the muzzle after the cut to get a good square surface though. 

All this is engaging my engineering brain and the desire to buy cool new tools!  I may have to give one a go and see how it turns out. 

[Charles McKinley]

If you hack saw it you can use a ball shaped grind stone so you don't have to stay exactly in the middle like you would with a cone shaped stone.  You turn it by hand.  You don't need to crown the whole muzzle just near the bore.  Send MrHappy a PM for more detail.

The muzzle tool mentioned above was out of stock the last time I looked for it.

[mac66]

Wizzard did the ones on the 3/4 10/22s , what about even shorter with a pinned/welded muzzle brake.

number6

Wizzard will do it for instructors, he will even thread the barrel for a FH or "mud guard" as he calls them.

[Grindstone]

All this is engaging my engineering brain and the desire to buy cool new tools!

Let me know when you get the lathe so I can come over and use it loan you the book about blueprinting actions and barrel fitting.

[wizard]

I have the time and resources to cut, crown, and thread or pin mudguards (about 1 per day).  I will be attending shoots in my Radius of travel  from Utica MI.  I will try to have finished barrels with me so we can do a swap on the spot.  Or send me a a PM here, and I can pick them up or meet somewhere midway.  No charge.  I wish to support the Project by helping the guys and gals who are doing the work.  As an ex-marine I am comfortable with quick and dirty rifle mods, but for our newest and least capable shooters; We need to give them the best of what we have to offer.  Early success will lead to a lifelomg interest in shooting.  Wizard