Rimfire barrel length legality *help*

If you want to make their head spin, ask the RCMP for a written response to the legality of cutting down barrel from a "non-restricted" firearm, to use on a "restricted" firearm... then using the said barrel (at a later date) on a non-restricted firearm...

I had a somewhat funny discussion a number of years ago with a friendly RCMP guy, about doing such thing for a Remington XP-100...
According to the rule book
- I'm not allowed to cut-down a bolt-action rifle barrel under 18"
- It is legal to manufacture a bolt-action rifle barrel of less than 18'' in length, as long as the firearms overall length is over 26"
- There seems to be some legal ambiguity about "manufactured". As it, it doesn't specify who can (or cannot) do so, what are the marking requirements, of what material can be used to manufacture it...
- It would be (or at least was) legal for me to "manufacture" a rifle barrel into a pistol barrel by cutting it down to lets say 10" (to use on a XP-100). I could stamp it XP-100 to make it more official.

The head-spinning begins when that "handgun" barrel, is used at a later date on a non-restricted firearm...
 
I ran into something similar when I wanted a 6" barrel for my 10/22. A BC company that makes 10/22 barrels was not interested in making it. However I had a US company make one for me (McGowan thru Mystic Precision) and it was not an issue. I had the resulting 10/22 pistol registered and verified all by e-mail.

The issue you may run into regarding registering your rifle as restricted is actually the stock. If you modify a stock by shortening it to match the 4.5" barrel, and the result is under 26", you have created a prohibited weapon. This is why I registered mine as a pistol. Once it is a pistol, you can install any stock your want, modified or not. However it must have an unmodified factory made "pistol" stock in order to register it as a pistol. It is not the final configuration that is important, but how you get there apparently.
 
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Tom E Gun said:
I ran into something similar when I wanted a 6" barrel for my 10/22. A BC company that makes 10/22 barrels was not interested in making it. However I had a US company make one for me (McGowan thru Mystic Precision) and it was not an issue. I had the resulting 10/22 pistol registered and verified all by e-mail.

The issue you may run into regarding registering your rifle as restricted is actually the stock. If you modify a stock by shortening it to match the 4.5" barrel, and the result is under 26", you have created a prohibited weapon. This is why I registered mine as a pistol. Once it is a pistol, you can install any stock your want, modified or not. However it must have an unmodified factory made "pistol" stock in order to register it as a pistol. It is not the final configuration that is important, but how you get there apparently.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom-E I was thinking of PM'ing you based on that build thread ;)

I will have to copy your strategy, and find myself an un-modified pistol stock I guess. At least I have an idea to go off. I think once I have a pistol stock I will get a FRT# created and ask the manufacturers about it again -once I have done all the legwork for registration.

I should be able to reclassify my bare receiver as a pistol based on intent? And then have the actual build verified when I get everything made and delivered?
 
If you can find an unmodified rifle stock that works with your 4.5" barrel, you may actually be able to get an FRT #as Non-Restricted even if your OAL is slightly less than 26". I know a lot of people on CGN don't believe this, but as long as all the parts are unmodified from their factory configurations, your 10/22 will be NR as long as it does not fold or telescope to less than 26" and as long as it is not a "handgun". The only reason I had to register mine as a restricted pistol, was that I could not find an unmodified rifle stock that would work with my short barrel. However, in hindsight, I think you could use the rear section of a standard Ruger takedown stock to get your NR FRT#.
 
Tom E Gun said:
If you can find an unmodified rifle stock that works with your 4.5" barrel, you may actually be able to get an FRT #as Non-Restricted even if your OAL is slightly less than 26". I know a lot of people on CGN don't believe this, but as long as all the parts are unmodified from their factory configurations, your 10/22 will be NR as long as it does not fold or telescope to less than 26" and as long as it is not a "handgun". The only reason I had to register mine as a restricted pistol, was that I could not find an unmodified rifle stock that would work with my short barrel. However, in hindsight, I think you could use the rear section of a standard Ruger takedown stock to get your NR FRT#.
Click to expand...

NR status would certainly be nice, but it's not a deal breaker.

The final goal is to have it with a 4.5 barrel AND a folding stock. So I'm most likely going to have to make it into a pistol sadly. I can live with that. I have lots of range-toys.
 
eatredmeat157 said:
NR status would certainly be nice, but it's not a deal breaker.

The final goal is to have it with a 4.5 barrel AND a folding stock. So I'm most likely going to have to make it into a pistol sadly. I can live with that. I have lots of range-toys.
Click to expand...

Ok, if a folding stock is the goal, then I think you will have to register it as a pistol. That is what I had to do anyway.
 
sillymike said:
I'd guess it would be a "restricted" rifle.

-
Isn't there something about "once a handgun" always a handgun?
Click to expand...

Yes it cannot be returned to rifle once it has been registered as a pistol.
I believe that the only way I can have it with a folding stock and the super short barrel is by first registering it as a pistol with an UN-modified pistol stock, and then changing it out for a shortened folding stock afterwards.

I'm set on the folding stock, so I'm stuck having to make it a pistol, because a rifle that has been modified to fire when reduced in length (by folding or telescoping) is PROHIBITED.
 
eatredmeat157 said:
Yes it cannot be returned to rifle once it has been registered as a pistol.
I believe that the only way I can have it with a folding stock and the super short barrel is by first registering it as a pistol with an UN-modified pistol stock, and then changing it out for a shortened folding stock afterwards.

I'm set on the folding stock, so I'm stuck having to make it a pistol, because a rifle that has been modified to fire when reduced in length (by folding or telescoping) is PROHIBITED.
Click to expand...

I agree 100% - too bad I sold my Knox Charger stock or I would just lend it to you. If I recall correctly the stock was only $50 Cdn:
IMG_6617_zpsgcji1pkk.jpg


Make sure you keep the sales receipt for the barrel and make sure the length of the barrel is listed on the receipt, they will ask for that.
 
Tom E Gun said:
Ok, if a folding stock is the goal, then I think you will have to register it as a pistol. That is what I had to do anyway.
Click to expand...

Were you required to send a picture of the "mock-up" before having the FRT# created?

I called and left a message of my intent with the CFO technicians (thru the 731-4000#) but have had no reply yet.
 
Tom E Gun said:
Yes, they will want hi res photos and documentation proving the stock is a factory made component and not a modified rifle stock.
Click to expand...

Here is where the problem is...
What came first the chicken or the egg?
I need the barrel for mock up to get an FRT#...
Nobody will make me a barrel without an FRT#...
 
Tom E Gun said:
Did you try Mystic Precision ? Jerry at MP got McGowen to make me a 6" barrel, just tell them it is for a Charger pistol.
Click to expand...

I did contact them. They replied "I can offer rifle lengths down to 11" or so but that is a pistol length so not something I can have made. Not sure who can help you."

I think what you used for your particular build was a factory offering McGowan 6" barrel.
 
You could have Clay at Prophet River import one of these:
imagemagic.php


ht tp://www.tacticalinc.com/polished-fluted-stainless-steel-threaded-barrel-thread-protector-cohort%E2%84%A2-pistol-charger%E2%84%A2-p-1339.html
 
I have now spoke with the Canadian firearms technical division and they have advised me to register the frame/stock as a pistol FRAME only, then I will have an ATT and I can send it to a manufacturer all legal-beagle, and have them make me a barrel at any length above 105mm from a barrel blank. At which point they can verify the pistol and change the registration status to reflect the new barrel installed. :) wish me luck!
 
tiriaq said:
Pistol? Not a restricted rifle?
Click to expand...

Due to my need to have a folding stock, yes it must be a pistol.

PROHIBITED* means:
a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,
is less than 660 mm in length, or
is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length

Hence why it must be made from a PISTOL and not made from a RIFLE OR SHOTGUN.
 
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