Idea for minimum reasonable handgun size.

[handofzeus]

This idea may have been bandied about somewhere else but I just thought about the concept now. As things stand we are stuck with a minimum barrel length of 4.2 in. based on the premise that this magical number somehow prevents concealment of some handguns. My issue with this arbitrary number is that there are handguns out there with 4 inch barrels that are in overall size much larger and unconcealable compared to another handgun with an over 4.2" barrel which makes zero logical sense if the only argument for long barrel length is to prevent concealment. Why not adopt an overall size requirement? Take the smallest currently legal handgun and draw a square box around it. That becomes the minimum legal size for handguns, period. The whole barrel length argument is ridiculous with different frame sizes if concealment is truly the basis of the rule.

 

[tiriaq]

The 4.2" was picked to maximize the number of handguns prohibited.

 

[KotKotofeich]

Last time I checked you can't have any more handguns no matter the size so why try to come up with a set of criteria which will change nothing?

Could do away with the prohibited handgun classification and consider them all restricted - still can't sell you any.

 

[scotteboy]

?

 

[call2arms]

I don’t know what the issue is with handguns anyway. Rifles are for serious work.

Only classification should be gun or not a gun

 

[geologist]

https://imgur.com/DA4fMOr

 

[Painkillers]

The gang bangers don't seem to give a fiddler's fart what they stuff in their pants?

 

[Meroh]

The 4.2" was picked to maximize the number of handguns prohibited.

Yes, this. 4-5" is perfect for run and gun type sports though, it would be fun to shoot a "back up gun" match with small gun like that one pictured is post 6.

 

[tiriaq]

There have been matches for 12-6 pistols.

 

[woodchopper]

There have been matches for 12-6 pistols.

ah yes the pocket pistol match.... better have a coat that you don't care too much about having to patch the holes in the pocket

 

[Receipt]

ah yes the pocket pistol match.... better have a coat that you don't care too much about having to patch the holes in the pocket

Wait,
You guys don’t practice your point of aim through old jackets anyways?

 

[mactroneng]

The 4.2" was picked to maximize the number of handguns prohibited.

This

 

[scianna54]

I have a Glock 48, it is already too small for my taste. Small also means less weight to absorb the recoil.

 

[NAA]

Yeah, the whole 4.2" nonsense was nothing more than 'liberal feel-good BS' ....

For example.... a 4" S&W K frame revolver [prohibited] is approximately the same OAL as a 5" barrel Colt 1911A1 [restricted].

-----------
NAA.

 

[struff55]

thanks for the clarification
on this top it's such a relief to know that firearm owners always vigilant when it comes to gun laws

 

[johnl]

The gang bangers don't seem to give a fiddler's fart what they stuff in their pants?

Vag carry. Bwahahaha

 

[chocol8thunda]

This idea may have been bandied about somewhere else but I just thought about the concept now. As things stand we are stuck with a minimum barrel length of 4.2 in. based on the premise that this magical number somehow prevents concealment of some handguns. My issue with this arbitrary number is that there are handguns out there with 4 inch barrels that are in overall size much larger and unconcealable compared to another handgun with an over 4.2" barrel which makes zero logical sense if the only argument for long barrel length is to prevent concealment. Why not adopt an overall size requirement? Take the smallest currently legal handgun and draw a square box around it. That becomes the minimum legal size for handguns, period. The whole barrel length argument is ridiculous with different frame sizes if concealment is truly the basis of the rule.

How about zero size requirements?

 

[.45automatic]

The Boberg XR9-L semi auto pistol was available in Canada. It has a 4.2" barrel, but revolutionary bullpup design that cycles the bullets out of the rear of the magazine. It's only 5.95" overall, which is smaller than a baby Glock 26 or 43, yet it was only restricted. The Bond Arms Snake Slayer II derringer was in the same boat.

 

[dan belisle]

ah yes the pocket pistol match.... better have a coat that you don't care too much about having to patch the holes in the pocket

Used to hit value village before the shoots. And yes, you can shoot through the pockets. - dan

 

[dan belisle]

Yeah, the whole 4.2" nonsense was nothing more than 'liberal feel-good BS' ....

For example.... a 4" S&W K frame revolver [prohibited] is approximately the same OAL as a 5" barrel Colt 1911A1 [restricted].

-----------
NAA.

At the time, the TO police department were about to update to semi-automatic pistols, putting thousands of 4 inch barreled revolvers on the surplus market. Prohibiting anything under 4.2 I chest solved that issue for the anti's, and all future such incidents. They don't care of it costs the taxpayer more. - dan