Customizing Shotguns--Legal Barrel Lengths?

Johnny Got His Gun.1 · October 31, 1999, 08:05 PM

Can anyone here tell me or direct me where I might find legal information about shotgun barrel lengths? What are the minimum required lengths on shotgun barrels? I've notice various sizes on double-barreled shotguns.

zip · November 1, 1999, 12:00 AM

if it is non nfa its 18in. i beleave any shorter it becomes a sawedoff nfa 200 dollar tax let me know if im wrong people

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oneshotonekill

oberkommando · November 1, 1999, 05:23 AM

18 OR MORE ONLY, or it is nfa.

Dave McC · November 1, 1999, 07:33 AM

More than 18", or it might get your %^&*( locked up. The term "Sawed Off Shotgun" packs lots of semantic weight in court.

Johnny Got His Gun.1 · November 1, 1999, 07:02 PM

Thanks for responding, everyone. My memory had served me correctly on the 18" issue. I find it interesting, though, that anything under 18" is illegal, yet the little .45/.410's aren't? What's the logic behind the .45/.410 as a legal pistol; they're just as deadly as any other short shotgun would be.

Just curious.

fal308 · November 2, 1999, 08:58 AM

The legality is not just the barrel length but also has to do with the oal. and whether the weapon was designed to be fired from the shoulder. The .45/.410 pistol was not designed to be fired from the shoulder thus it is legal as it was designed to be fired as a handgun and not a longarm.

Woody · November 3, 1999, 07:29 AM

One thing about the .45/410 is to make sure that it is legal in your state, in Kali the Contender and Encores with the .45/410 barrel are considered short barrel shotguns.

Woody

Woody · November 3, 1999, 07:29 AM

Sorry double post

[This message has been edited by Woody (edited November 03, 1999).]

October 31, 1999, 08:05 PM	#1
Johnny Got His Gun.1 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Patterson, GA Posts: 264	Can anyone here tell me or direct me where I might find legal information about shotgun barrel lengths? What are the minimum required lengths on shotgun barrels? I've notice various sizes on double-barreled shotguns.

November 1, 1999, 12:00 AM	#2
zip Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 1999 Posts: 207	if it is non nfa its 18in. i beleave any shorter it becomes a sawedoff nfa 200 dollar tax let me know if im wrong people ------------------ oneshotonekill

November 1, 1999, 05:23 AM	#3
oberkommando Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 1999 Posts: 1,158	18 OR MORE ONLY, or it is nfa.

November 1, 1999, 07:33 AM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	More than 18", or it might get your %^&*( locked up. The term "Sawed Off Shotgun" packs lots of semantic weight in court.

November 1, 1999, 07:02 PM	#5
Johnny Got His Gun.1 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 1999 Location: Patterson, GA Posts: 264	Thanks for responding, everyone. My memory had served me correctly on the 18" issue. I find it interesting, though, that anything under 18" is illegal, yet the little .45/.410's aren't? What's the logic behind the .45/.410 as a legal pistol; they're just as deadly as any other short shotgun would be. Just curious.

November 2, 1999, 08:58 AM	#6
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	The legality is not just the barrel length but also has to do with the oal. and whether the weapon was designed to be fired from the shoulder. The .45/.410 pistol was not designed to be fired from the shoulder thus it is legal as it was designed to be fired as a handgun and not a longarm.

November 3, 1999, 07:29 AM	#7
Woody Member Join Date: September 13, 1999 Posts: 95	One thing about the .45/410 is to make sure that it is legal in your state, in Kali the Contender and Encores with the .45/410 barrel are considered short barrel shotguns. Woody