Building Home Security Shotguns

While some law-abiding homeowners shun the idea of having a gun in the home for protection, for those that desire this protection a good, reliable defense gun can be an important part of home security. A standard pump-action shotgun can be a perfect choice. Chances are good you already have such a shotgun or can readily obtain one. Here is how to make the conversion to have that gun totally fit your needs. Most will agree a 12 gauge pump shotgun is ideal for home defense.

The steps needed in making the conversion are quite easy. After finding the right shotgun I examined it for safe and proper function. My plan was to On top, the barreled action. From left center, old recoil pad with one inch of cut-off stock, new recoil pad, buttstock with pistol grip sawed off, aluminum pistol grip handle, and 7 3/8 inch of cut-down barrel.

It has all the required features for the job. cut the barrel down to twenty inches, shorten the stock, add a better recoil pad, and install a "full grasp" pistol grip handle to replace the existing one. The converted shotgun was an older Sears Model 20 five-shot pump 12 gauge. The original stock and forend were made of maple or birch. It had a rubber recoil pad that had become hardened with age which no longer served the purpose. I started by adding a pistol grip, replacing the cut-off wood pistol grip cap

Above center: End mill is used to precisely mill the slot on the underside of the stock in preparation for the threaded metal base used to solidly retain the pistol grip handle. The sunken base is held solidly in place with J-B Weld and a solid 82-degree flat head screw. This is where the original pistol grip was removed. positioned immediately rearward of the trigger guard.

This involved forming a flat surface immediately behind the trigger guard where I mortised in a solid metal support on the underside of the stock. This turned out to be a fairly major task but resulted in a solid grasp of the gun while shooting. The entire pistol grip (handle) can easily be taken off by removing a socket head retaining screw. I perused the Brownells catalog in search of a replacement pistolstyle handle.

They had all manner of side pistol grips but not a complete pistol grip-style handle, so I decided to make one and install it. Following much shaping and fitting, the new grip handle from two flat pieces of aluminum evolved. As a finish for the aluminum pistol-style handle, I rasped it to shape and rough buffed it with a coarse, steel brush. As an after thought, I decided to finish the pistol grip handle with 3/16" dot indentations surrounding both sides of the grip.

A total of 64 dots did the trick and the grip looked even better. Below, counterclockwise: In the formative stages of making the pistol grip handle, an end mill is used to shape the laminated aluminum part. I then worked on the recoil pad and stock finishing. The stock was shortened a full inch and anew Limb Saver recoil pad was installed. This new pad absorbs up to 70% of the felt recoil, Brownells sells them, and they’re made in USA.

The new pad required fitting according to my regular routine, which takes a well-spent hour. At over 14 inches, the pull length was too long for most women. The blond stock was then stained and refinished with Birchwood Casey Tru-Oil.

Above center: Finished pistol grip handle ready to be bolted to solid metal base on the stock. This major part accounted for a good share of the work in modifying the home security shotgun. This part can be crucial in handling and firing the gun in self defense. The next step was barrel shortening and recrowning. By law, shotgun barrels can be no shorter than 18 inches in length and the overall gun length no shorter than 26 inches. This must be observed as a shotgun is altered.

I decided to make the barrel 20 inches in length, which would still render it useful as a hunting gun for both slugs and fine shot. Of course, the Hand also can be positioned with the thumb above the grip and with thumb and fingers surrounding small of the stock and pistol grip. This would depend somewhat on how gun is positioned relative to shoulder. Sometimes, a hasty point-and-shoot with the gun well below the shooter’s chest level is required.

Revisions include barrel shortening, recoil pad replacement with buttstock shortening, addition of a pistol grip handle, and stock finishing. Few guns offer the versatility of a pump shotgun as a home protection arm. gun would now have an open choke and produce a less-dense shot pattern. The old gun had aged gracefully and I decided not to reblue it. We assume a huge responsibility when taking a gun into the home for security and protection.

It is very important that all those who may need to use a gun for this purpose know precisely how to do so. Each person should understand the laws of personal and property protection and seek proper instruction in these areas. Of course, all guns should be kept where they are not accessible to children or anyone not permitted to use them. AG Specifications Make: Sears, Roebuck Model 20 Gauge: 12 gauge, 2 3/4" chamber Action:Five shot, pump, Length:47 3/4" to 38 1/2" Weight:7 lbs.

Barrel: 28" to 20" Choke: Full to Cylinder bore Side thumb safety, four lb. trigger