making barrels legal length with muzzle devices?

idek · April 27, 2022, 11:50 PM

I've been looking at bullpup kits for 10/22's (just for fun--I already have two conventional 10/22 setups and a third barrelled action sitting around), but some of these require barrels at least 18" long to meet OAL requirements. I already own a lightweight 16.5" barrel that I'd prefer using. Could I use something like J-B Weld to permanently attach a brake or compensator onto the barrel to meet OAL requirements?

Thanks for any help.

Bill DeShivs · April 28, 2022, 12:18 AM

No.
The devices would have to be hard soldered (1200 degrees plus) or blind pinned and welded over.
You can't do either with the aluminum barrel.
BTW- "JB Weld" is not permanent. It's just epoxy.

dogtown tom · April 28, 2022, 08:38 AM

A 16.5" bbl will be fine......if you add to the stock length.
16" minimum bbl length
AND
26" minimum OAL

idek · April 28, 2022, 09:09 AM

Thanks for the replies.

FrankenMauser · April 28, 2022, 10:09 AM

JB Weld = ATF shoots your dog.

High temp solder, blind pin and weld, or weld.

But, as mentioned, you might meet minimum OAL with the action length and stock design, anyway.

According to the drawing in this thread, it looks like you're working with about 6.250" from chamber face to the rear of the action. (10-22 dimensions)
That would mean roughly 22.75" OAL for the barreled action. If the bullpup chassis adds 3.25" or more (whatever is necessary to reach 26"+), it would be legal.
If not, you need a longer barrel or permanently mounted muzzle device as an extension. Or spend just a little bit more, Form 1 it as an SBR, and run whatever barrel(s) you want.

**44 AMP** · April 28, 2022, 11:57 AM

If the attachment is to meet legal min barrel length requirements, Fed law requires it to be "permanent".

Ask the ATF what that means (this week...

) Blind pins, pins welded over, and silver solder (the high temp solder previously mentioned) have been acceptable in the past, I don't know what they consider acceptable today (hence the "this week" comment - the ATF is known for changing their minds on things)

Get their ruling. If possible, get in it writing on ATF letterhead with an agent's NAME on it. That's about all you can do to CYA, if they later on change the rules.

April 27, 2022, 11:50 PM	#1
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	making barrels legal length with muzzle devices? I've been looking at bullpup kits for 10/22's (just for fun--I already have two conventional 10/22 setups and a third barrelled action sitting around), but some of these require barrels at least 18" long to meet OAL requirements. I already own a lightweight 16.5" barrel that I'd prefer using. Could I use something like J-B Weld to permanently attach a brake or compensator onto the barrel to meet OAL requirements? Thanks for any help.

April 28, 2022, 12:18 AM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,988	No. The devices would have to be hard soldered (1200 degrees plus) or blind pinned and welded over. You can't do either with the aluminum barrel. BTW- "JB Weld" is not permanent. It's just epoxy. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

April 28, 2022, 08:38 AM	#3
dogtown tom Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 3,097	A 16.5" bbl will be fine......if you add to the stock length. 16" minimum bbl length AND 26" minimum OAL __________________ Need a FFL in Dallas/Plano/Allen/Frisco/McKinney ? Just EMAIL me. $20 transfers ($10 for CHL, active military,police,fire or schoolteachers) Plano, Texas...........the Gun Nut Capitol of Gun Culture, USA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pELwCqz2JfE

April 28, 2022, 10:09 AM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	JB Weld = ATF shoots your dog. High temp solder, blind pin and weld, or weld. But, as mentioned, you might meet minimum OAL with the action length and stock design, anyway. According to the drawing in this thread, it looks like you're working with about 6.250" from chamber face to the rear of the action. (10-22 dimensions) That would mean roughly 22.75" OAL for the barreled action. If the bullpup chassis adds 3.25" or more (whatever is necessary to reach 26"+), it would be legal. If not, you need a longer barrel or permanently mounted muzzle device as an extension. Or spend just a little bit more, Form 1 it as an SBR, and run whatever barrel(s) you want. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

April 28, 2022, 11:57 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,871	If the attachment is to meet legal min barrel length requirements, Fed law requires it to be "permanent". Ask the ATF what that means (this week...) Blind pins, pins welded over, and silver solder (the high temp solder previously mentioned) have been acceptable in the past, I don't know what they consider acceptable today (hence the "this week" comment - the ATF is known for changing their minds on things) Get their ruling. If possible, get in it writing on ATF letterhead with an agent's NAME on it. That's about all you can do to CYA, if they later on change the rules. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

April 28, 2022, 09:09 AM	#4
idek Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 903	Thanks for the replies.