↬ It may sound simple to install a choke system on any old shotgun, but there’s some key factors your should consider before you do.
Not all shotguns accept choke tubes, especially fixed choke shotgun barrels. However, a choke system can be installed on just about any barrel given there is adequate barrel length and thickness to work with.
Installing a choke system requires removing 1-3 inches of barrel length in order to install the threads. Thin barreled shotguns may require removing even more barrel length searching for an area that is thick enough to accommodate threaded chokes.
Can you put a choke tube on any shotgun?
Choke tubes can be put on most shotguns given there’s a choke system already installed or there’s adequate barrel thickness or length to install one. Barrels with choke systems installed can only take chokes that have the same thread design.
Gunsmiths can install a choke system on a shotgun that has a fixed choke assuming there’s sufficient barrel length and thickness to work with. This usually entails trimming off some of the barrel length to reach a point where the metal is thick enough to accept threading.
Types of Shotgun Chokes
The two types of shotgun chokes are fixed chokes and interchangeable choke systems. Below is more info on what these two choke applications are designed for.
Fixed Choke
Fixed choke shotguns are set from the factory and spec’d for a specific choke size. Fixed full chokes are one of the most popular choke sizes that were installed on older shotguns used for waterfowl and upland game.
Shotguns with fixed full chokes can not accept choke tubes and the barrels on fixed shotguns aren’t threaded. Some fixed choke shotguns can be converted to allow choke tubes after a gunsmith threads the barrel.
Interchangeable Choke System
If you’ve purchased a popular shotgun within the past 20 years, chances are that it has a choke system installed on the barrel that will accept different types of choke tubes. Choke systems are special threads on the end of the barrel that line up with the threads of choke tubes made for the same system.
Choke systems are a convenient way to change choke sizes quickly and easily based on changing conditions. They also allow for the use of extended choke tubes that can protect the barrel from bumps and scrapes.
Popular Choke Systems
- Standard Invector
- Invector Plus
- Invector DS
- Benelli/Beretta Mobil
- Optima Plus
- Optima HP
- Benelli Crio Plus
- Remington Choke
Installing a Choke System on a Fixed Choke Barrel
Choke tubes can be installed on most shotguns that either have a choke system installed or are capable of being converted. Installing a choke tube system requires removing a small portion of the barrel length and adding threads inside the barrel. Most gunsmiths can provide the services needed to achieve this successfully.
Older shotguns with thinner barrels may not have the thickness required to install a choke system. However, most newer barrels rated for steel shot are good candidates for installing a choke system.
Bottom Line
You can’t put a choke tube on all shotguns, but barrels with choke systems already installed can accept many different types of chokes. Fixed choke barrels aren’t threaded but can be converted given that there is enough barrel length and thickness to accept the threads.
Expect 1-3 inches of barrel length to be removed to install a choke system. Some thin walled barrels may not provide the thickness to drill the choke threads. A review of the shotgun barrel by a competent gunsmith is always the first step in deciding if you can put a choke tube on any shotgun.
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