Installing a bead on a shotgun barrel

installing shotgun bead on plain barrel 5

While most sporting shotguns lack the intricate sights associated with rifles, most have some sort of rib and/or bead present. Installing a bead on a plain shotgun barrel is a fairly simple task that can be performed with only a few hand tools. In this post, we’ll be installing a steel bead on a plain shotgun barrel.

Before we begin, let’s take a look at the disclaimer:

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For this project, I ordered the following tools from Brownells:

Perhaps the most difficult part of installing the bead sight on a shotgun is making sure that it is on the top of the barrel. A few degrees off in either direction and the shooter will definitely notice. To address this, Brownells sells a special tool known as a top dead center punch. This punch has a hardened steel center punch located in an aluminum v-block with a level. To use it, I mount the shotgun with the receiver in the vise and make sure it is level. Next, I move the punch towards the end of the barrel where I’d like to locate the bead. Finally I tap the punch to mark where I need to drill.

Note the mark on the barrel from the punch. This will guide the drill bit. Shotgun beads are available in a number of sizes and styles. In addition to various thread sizes, the beads are available with or without a base, and in different colors made from different materials. I prefer to use a larger bead, made of steel with a 6-48 thread. I find these are easiest to install and work well for a wide range of applications. Obviously, the drill and tap used for the installation need to match the thread of the bead you plan on using. You can find a wide assortment of shotgun beads here.

I like to drill holes in plain barrels like this with a cordless drill. Over the years I’ve found it provides superior results to holding the barrel in a mill or drill press. If you are worried about drilling straight through the barrel wall and into the other side, you can place a wood dowel in the tube.

Now the threads can be tapped. I use a tapered tap held in a small tap handle. It is critical you have the tap held perpendicular to the axis of the bore.

In many cases the bead will have to be trimmed to length. I like to use this screw trimming tool from Brownell s. Simply screw the bead in until the amount you need to remove is protruding through the other side.