Rimfire barrel length laws

[scott_r]

Hello guys

Can someone help me out understanding the bbl laws regarding rimfires? Im looking to buy a CZ 455, looking at different options but see a nice Nightsky model with a 20 inch bbl. Can I legally put a 17 hmr bbl thats 16.25" on that or does it have to be the same length of barrel that it was sold with?

Cheers!!

 

[Jefferson]

overall length is all you need to worry about call your local provincial cfo office if in doubt

 

[onetwentyish]

Barrel length laws only pertain to center-fire semi-auto's.

However you can not cut a barrel below 18".

Do ensure that you satisfy the minimum overall length requirements (26") when the firearm is in its shortest fully assembled and fireable state.

 

[scott_r]

Thanks guys!!

 

[Jefferson]

I have a 8 inch Dlask barrel so 18 inches mmmmmmm

 

[hoytcanon]

I have a 8 inch Dlask barrel so 18 inches mmmmmmm

Huh? You can buy a factory 4.5" barrel if you want as long as the OAL is 26+"... but you cannot cut a barrel down to a length under 18"... and you would be wise to make it 18 1/8" to avoid any dispute. Fortunately most stocks are already 26", so you can drop any barrel length in and be legal. I made my daughter this pinky build with an 8" barrel.

 

[chillyrabbit]

I have a 8 inch Dlask barrel so 18 inches mmmmmmm

Nope, he specifically mentions cutting down a 18" barrel which creates a prohibited firearm

prohibited firearm means

(....)

(b) a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,

(i) is less than 660 mm in length, or

(ii) is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 (18") mm in length,

(....)

 

[scott_r]

I fail to understand the 18" thing. I can go buy a factory 16" and install it but cant have a gunsmith cut a 22" bbl down to 16" ??? Whats the reasoning behind this?

 

[ShawnC6]

I fail to understand the 18" thing. I can go buy a factory 16" and install it but cant have a gunsmith cut a 22" bbl down to 16" ??? Whats the reasoning behind this?

Don't try and find logic in the laws.

 

[supernova]

I fail to understand the 18" thing. I can go buy a factory 16" and install it but cant have a gunsmith cut a 22" bbl down to 16" ??? Whats the reasoning behind this?

The reasoning is because. To hear this from an official RCMP member simply call and ask. Logic and gun laws are mutually exclusive. Like how certain AK styled BB guns are prohibited but a Valmet M78 is non restricted lol.

 

[hoytcanon]

I fail to understand the 18" thing. I can go buy a factory 16" and install it but cant have a gunsmith cut a 22" bbl down to 16" ??? Whats the reasoning behind this?

They are not concerned about "gunsmiths" cutting and crowning barrels shorter than 18", they are worried about Jim Bob taking a hacksaw to a gun and creating a compact concealed weapon, jeopardizing public/police safety... at least, that is the logic.

 

[rifleman762]

I fail to understand the 18" thing. I can go buy a factory 16" and install it but cant have a gunsmith cut a 22" bbl down to 16" ??? Whats the reasoning behind this?

Not only can you get a factory 16" barrel and put it on, you can also buy a barrel blank, cut it to any length, chamber it, machine it to fit your receiver, and install it. But if you finish it off to 22" and then cut it down to length, you are a criminal.

 

[1-trident-1]

but the guy on the internet told me I could do it your honour.

 

[rifleman762]

but the guy on the internet told me I could do it your honour.

I'm curious what you are referring to.

 

[hoytcanon]

I'm curious what you are referring to.

He was joking... facetiously speaking

 

[Cameron SS]

Barrel length laws only pertain to center-fire semi-auto's.

However you can not cut a barrel below 18".

Do ensure that you satisfy the minimum overall length requirements (26") when the firearm is in its shortest fully assembled and fireable state.

Barrel length resulting in a classification of restricted only pertains to center-fire semi-auto.

Modified barrels result in prohibited.

you can not MODIFY a barrel by CUTTING, SAWING, or any other modification such that it is less than 18".

SO far, no court has been asked to clarify whether substituting a factory barrel counts as "any other modification". Considering the end result is the same, its hard to see why they wouldn't.

 

[chillyrabbit]

Substituting factory parts makes sense otherwise anyone with a 20" ar-15 and a short 14.5" upper possesses a prohibited firearm everytime they switch.

From a legal perspective (IANAL) a lawyer/judge would interpret that the 2 named examples pertain to modifying the part itself and not just replacing an old part with a new part.

 

[scott_r]

Not only can you get a factory 16" barrel and put it on, you can also buy a barrel blank, cut it to any length, chamber it, machine it to fit your receiver, and install it. But if you finish it off to 22" and then cut it down to length, you are a criminal.

wow....talk about the land of confusion.

Cheers!!

 

[Jefferson]

that was the intent of my post to bring forward the law and perhaps the silliness therein

did not have access to the law so thanks for posting it

Jeff

 

[Cameron SS]

Substituting factory parts makes sense otherwise anyone with a 20" ar-15 and a short 14.5" upper possesses a prohibited firearm everytime they switch.

From a legal perspective (IANAL) a lawyer/judge would interpret that the 2 named examples pertain to modifying the part itself and not just replacing an old part with a new part.

Actually not. A centre fire semi auto with a short barrel is restricted. ARs are already restricted by name. So a 20" barrel AR that undergoes a barrel swap to 14.5" does not actually change classification.