R&D Custom Barrel Service
R&D Custom Barrel Service is Bob Day's operation in Pico Rivera, California. He's been working on shotguns for over three decades—since 1990—and built the business on a simple principle: he does all the work himself. No outsourcing. No middlemen. You call Bob, you get Bob. "Bob, at R&D, works on my ...
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R&D Custom Barrel Service is Bob Day's operation in Pico Rivera, California. He's been working on shotguns for over three decades—since 1990—and built the business on a simple principle: he does all the work himself. No outsourcing. No middlemen. You call Bob, you get Bob.
"Bob, at R&D, works on my personal shotguns and rifles, and I refer all my customers to him. His work is outstanding." — Tom John, Four-Time Zone 7 HOA, Seven Time California State Champion
R&D Custom Barrel specializes in shotgun modifications and repairs that improve pattern density, reduce recoil, and adapt guns to different shooting situations:
- •Screw-In Choke Installation — The most common request. Instead of carrying multiple barrels (full choke, modified, skeet), Bob installs a choke system so you swap tubes in seconds. Works on 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore. Precision lathe work. Turnaround: 1-3 days.
- •Non-plated bores: $150
- •Chrome-lined bores: $175
- •Custom Choke Work — Opening a full choke to improved cylinder, or any other modification. Bob test patterns your gun before and after work to dial in exact choke constriction. Turnaround: 1-2 weeks.
- •Non-plated bore: $150
- •Chrome-lined bore: $175
- •Perazzi Rib Repair — Loose side ribs are a known issue on Perazzi shotguns (especially in the first 6-12 inches ahead of the breech). Bob machines and mechanically fastens them solid. Barrels he's repaired see 50,000 rounds a year with zero failures afterward. Also repairs Beretta ASE 90 side ribs. Turnaround: 1-2 weeks. Cost: $300-$450.
- •Barrel Porting — Reduces recoil by approximately 30% and eliminates barrel jump for faster follow-up shots. Popular with clay shooters, dove hunters, and waterfowlers. Bob uses a Bridgeport machining center and sets up each barrel individually (no clamp-on drill fixtures). Turnaround: 1-3 days. Cost: $150 per barrel.
- •Lengthening & Polishing Forcing Cones — The forcing cone is where the chamber tapers to bore diameter. Standard cones are short and abrupt, deforming about 10-15% of pellets. Bob lengthens them to 1.5-2 inches with a gentle 1.5-degree angle and polishes smooth. Result: 8-12% increase in pattern density. Turnaround: 1-3 days.
- •Non-plated bore: $100
- •Chrome-lined bore: $125
- •Barrel Dent Repair — Removes dents from 12 and 20-gauge barrels using a hydraulic dent raiser. Turnaround: 1-3 days. Cost: $75 and up.
- •Gun Fitting & Recoil Pad Installation — Bob stocks Pachmayr and Kick-Eez pads. Installation includes cutting stock to proper length and pitch, contouring pad to stock, and sealing end grain with Watco oil. Personal fittings available by appointment at Moore & Moore Sporting Clays (near Lakeview Terrace) or Triple B Clays (South El Monte).
- •Recoil pad installation: $90
- •Synthetic stock pad installation: $125
- •R&D adjustable butt plate with recoil pad: $265
- •Adjustable Comb Installation — Four-way hardware (stainless steel or brass) that lets you adjust up/down and left/right for proper cast. Turnaround: 7-10 days. Cost: $375 (autoloaders/special stocks: add $25).
- •GraCoil Compression Butt Plate — Adjustable tension from 14 to 70 pounds with a maximum 5/16" stroke. Pad adjusts up/down and side-to-side. All aluminum and stainless steel with Teflon liners. Adds 1" to stock length.
- •Model GC15: $325 installed
- •Model GC15 LP: $375 installed
- •Sight, Mount & Scope Installation — Bob stocks Bradley, Raybar, Lyman, and Glow-worm shotgun sights. Usually installs while you wait. All sights Loctited to prevent falling out. Also drills and taps scope mounts for Springfield, U.S. Enfield, Mauser, Winchester, Remington 30s, and similar bolt-action rifles.
- •Muzzle Brake Installation — Installed on bolt-action rifles and large-caliber single-shot pistols. Reduces felt recoil by up to 45% and eliminates muzzle jump. Available in blue steel or matte stainless. Turnaround: 1-2 weeks. Cost: $275-$375.
Bob stocks replacement chokes for Winchester (Invector/Invector Plus), Mossberg (Short and 835 Mag), Benelli (Short and S.C. Long), Browning (Invector), Remington (REM-Choke), and Franchi. All manufactured from 17-4PH heat-treated stainless steel in three styles:
| Style | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern Plus | Flush mount, bright finish | $26.95 |
| Sporting Clays | Extended, knurled, bright finish | $45-$55 |
| Precision Hunter | Extended, knurled, black oxide | $45-$55 |
Available constrictions: Cylinder, Skeet 1, Improved Cylinder, Skeet 2, Modified, Improved Modified, Full, Extra Full, and specialized turkey chokes (665-670 constriction).
Bob sells both new and used shotgun barrels from Remington 870, 1100, Mossberg M500, Winchester 1200/1300, Beretta 686 20-gauge, Winchester 101 Trap Single, and others. Limited to stock on hand—call for availability.
- •Address: 8423 Terradell Street, Pico Rivera, CA 90660-5025
- •Phone: (562) 923-3608
- •Email: [email protected]
Shop is located near the I-5 and 605 freeways. Open seven days a week by appointment only. Call or email to schedule.
All work is guaranteed for life. You can call anytime to ask questions or check job status.
R&D Custom Barrel Service is recognized by: - Pico Rivera Chamber of Commerce - California Small Business Association - Amateur Trap Shooting Association (ATTA) - NSSA (National Skeet Shooting Association) - NSCA (National Sporting Clays Association) - National Rifle Association (NRA)
Customers include competitive trap shooters, sporting clays champions, Olympic shooters, waterfowl hunters, turkey hunters, and quail hunters across North America.