Why 20 Inches?

[Coal Creek Griff]

Out of curiosity, why is the standard barrel length for "coach guns" 20 inches?  I'm not much of a shotgunner, but it seems that 20 is kind of short for most hunting or trap/skeet shooting.  Why is the standard length not something closer to 18 inches (or 18 ½ if we want to leave room to remove some metal for damaged barrels)?  It isn't a huge difference, but I'd prefer 18 inch barrels personally.  I'm even thinking of having mine cut down or possibly trying it myself on my double-barreled gun.  Thoughts?

CC Griff

[Pettifogger]

It's just a good compromise.  If you go shorter the balance shifts to the rear a little bit.  Since there is no "action" on a double, just the receiver and the barrel, as you go shorter than 20" they just start to look and feel stubby.  On my SKB and BSS I have cut the barrels to 24".  I know a lot of people that have gone slightly longer than 20" to make the gun balance better.  It's your gun, do what feels good to you as long as you don't go shorter than 18".

[Bugscuffle]

Pettifogger - Your shotgun does indeed have "an action". It is in all likelyhood either a boxlock or a sidelock action. It is located just behind the breech in a steel box type container and/or with steel sideplates. The action contains among other things the hammers, if it is internal hammers, the sears, the safety and the topsnap breech opening aparatus, the springs associated with those parts and of course the internal portion of the trigger(s).

[Pettifogger]

Pettifogger - Your shotgun does indeed have "an action". It is in all likelyhood either a boxlock or a sidelock action. It is located just behind the breech in a steel box type container and/or with steel sideplates. The action contains among other things the hammers, if it is internal hammers, the sears, the safety and the topsnap breech opening aparatus, the springs associated with those parts and of course the internal portion of the trigger(s).

Yeez, I know that!  You need to read my posts more closely.  I put "action" in quotes because it does NOT have an action like a 97 Winchester or an 87.  As a consequence doubles are shorter for the same barrel length than a shotgun with an "action."

[Shotgun Franklin]

I was a Cop 35 years. I've killed tons of small game with a shotgun. First 2" is enough longer than 18" to tell at a glance. Better a little longer than having every Cop you run into wanting to drag out the yard stick. As for hunting or self defense, 2' just ain't enough to matter. BTW, I've eaten many Dove and squirrel taken with my coach gun.

[Coal Creek Griff]

I probably won't cut it down.  It doesn't make that much difference.  I was mainly curious about the reasoning behind the "standard" 20 inches.  The change in balance makes sense.  It is interesting to me that there are tons of "defensive" shotguns on the market with 18 inch barrels.

Thanks for the info and comments, gents.

CC Griff

[Trailrider]

The point about 20" being a good margin for the 18" minimum legal for shotgun barrels, is fairly valid. I also think there is "no reason, just policy" to it. The short-barrelled shotguns are pretty handy for opperating in close confines of an express railroad car, on a CAS prop stage.  The interesting thing is that many of the photos showing "express messnegers" riding shotgun on stage coaches and in express baggage cars, have the messengers holding longer shotguns. Personally, I like a 28" barrel for a better sight pictures.

[Mustang Gregg]

20" down to 18.5"?....I wouldn't do it.

If you cut it you may just find a hollow spot betwixt them barrels. 
That's another thing you'll have to fix if you cut it.
Besides crowning or deburring.
Also mounting a bead.
Losing your choke (if there is one).

Mustang