Minimum legal barrel length for guns?

Well, you've got most of the requirement right, Overall length needs to be over 26" as well as 18" min for Shotgun barrels and 16" min for rifle barrels.

As per why, nobody seems to know, we've had those particular regulations since 1934, and I've never heard a good explanation as to why those lengths.


As to the muzzle brake adding to the length, as long as it's permanently attached, it counts as part of the barrel.

TC
 
As to the muzzle brake adding to the length, as long as it's permanently attached, it counts as part of the barrel.
Click to expand...

Ahh cool!

I've dreamt for sometime of taking an old any-model double barreled shotgun, carving and sanding down the wood stock to form a pistol grip and then cutting off the barrel...yes, like a sawed off BUT I want it to be legal...hmmm would be one big sawed off shotgun;). We shall see. No real purpose in doing that anyway, just for pure excitement;)

Warthog
 
Warthog,

Actually, if you want to have a double shotgun pistol(like the ithica Auto & Burglar Guns or the one used in the movie Desperado) you can still make one yourself.

Here are the 2 ways of doing it.

1. Find a barreled action that has never been assembled into a full shotgun. With this, you apply to the ATF for the creation of an AOW(any other weapon). This is only a $5 fee, but a bit of paperwork. Only after you get the paperwork, tax stamp, and ATF approval can you go ahead and assemble the gun with the pistol grip and sub-16" barrel.

2. Find any shotgun that has been a full gun before. Apply to the ATF for a SBS(Short Barreled Shotgun). This is a $200 fee, and again the paperwork. Once approval is gained, you then can assemble your shotgun.

Well, I hope this helps.

TC
 
I think I heard that the length restrictions are so the weapons are not concealable (like a handgun) and the restriction on the shotgun barrell length is so the shot pattern cannot be too wide. I guess the logic is that they would be more suited for robbery like that.

However, the second ammendment doesn't mention length restrictions.
 
You can find the factory remington 14" barrel for an 870 and they are legal to have as long as the firearm does not have a pistol grip only or a folding stock.
 
Johnclarke,

They may be legal in Canada, but here in the USA, they are a restricted item, and you have to comply with NFA laws.

I noticed Warthog was in Vermont, so I was replying based on US laws, annoying as they may be.

TC
 
NICE setup...

Serbu makes a Super Shorty that is cool looking too. Because it started as a Mossburg with a pistol grip, I believe you just have to do the AOW paperwork... $15 I heard.

Those things would be brutal on the hand I bet. Jeez...
 
I can't remember who makes it, but my local gun shop carries an odd-looking revolver with a 2" barrel that can chamber either .45 Long Colt cartridges or 410 shotgun shells. The barrel is rifled, but I doubt that makes much difference. :)

--Bob Q
 
Ha! I found it! It's the Mil Tech Thunder Five.

imageD2P.JPG


Check out this link for info:
http://pub143.ezboard.com/fthefirearmsenthusiastfrm3.showMessage?topicID=224.topic

--Bob Q
 
ha! Awesome gun (the burglar)...that's what I'd want mine to look like, or something similar.
 
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