Can I (legally) chop a rimfire barrel down to 17" ?

CanFire

CanFire

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If the rifle stays above 26" OAL, is it legal to chop a rimfire barrel down?

The pencil barrel on a Ruger 10/22 ends with an outside thickness of .53". If I cut an inch off, the muzzle would then have an OD thick enough to be threaded 1/2" x 28tpi for a flash hider. Tacticool ! Would it be legal though?
 
Sure you can.
Go ahead, chop away.
FULL LEGAL!!!

Only make sure you never install it on a receiver
(not even for the purpose of taking pics
and attention whorring on CGN).
If you install it, you created an illegal gun
and you are instantly turned into a blood thirsty criminal.
 
Drat. I was hoping there was a special provision for rimfire rifles. I know the laws don't have to make sense, but since cutting a barrel down to 17" would make me a criminal I am now forced to consider buying an 8.5" one. Good job gun-grabbers!

stupid.gif
 
While we're on the topic....is it legal to cut a regular 28 inch Rem. 870-- 12 ga. shotgun barrel down to 18.5 inches and install a pistol grip handle,all the while making sure one stays within the minimum OAL dictated by Ottawa.In other words, can I make my own "Defender" type firearm and NOT be breaking any laws?I see pistol grip handles sold for many models of shotgun at the gunshops and I'm wondering if there is anything I should know. Does anybody know what the deal is ?
 
edit: never mind on my question.

Madrod: I see nothing on the cfc site that indicates that you could not do that. Pistol grips are not specifically regulated in any way, and you would be within the proper length (barrel & OAL) limitations, so you should be a-OK.
 
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Madrod said:
While we're on the topic....is it legal to cut a regular 28 inch Rem. 870-- 12 ga. shotgun barrel down to 18.5 inches and install a pistol grip handle,all the while making sure one stays within the minimum OAL dictated by Ottawa.In other words, can I make my own "Defender" type firearm and NOT be breaking any laws?I see pistol grip handles sold for many models of shotgun at the gunshops and I'm wondering if there is anything I should know. Does anybody know what the deal is ?
Click to expand...

So long as you do not cut the barrel under 18" for a non-semi auto (18.5" for semi autos), you will be fine. The overall length also has to be over 26", but a pistol gripped, 18" barrelled 870 is well over that.
 
CanFire said:
Drat. I was hoping there was a special provision for rimfire rifles. I know the laws don't have to make sense, but since cutting a barrel down to 17" would make me a criminal I am now forced to consider buying an 8.5" one. Good job gun-grabbers!

stupid.gif
Click to expand...

Having a 8.5 barrel would make the gun "restricted" as the 10/22 is semi auto. Semi-Auto's must have a barrel >18.5 for them to remain non-restricted.
 
I do not believe that a finished factory barrel can be cut to less than 18", licenced manufacturer or not. Law uses the phrase altered, modified or shortened. If the barrel is a new one, coming out of a blank, then it is not a barrel which is altered, modified or shortened. There is also no licencing provision for making barrels or screws, firing pins, stocks or other parts.
Mfr's spec. for a standard 10/22 barrel is 18"; there is also the 16 odd inch short one that Ruger makes. You can buy it, but you can't cut it.
 
thebaron said:
Having a 8.5 barrel would make the gun "restricted" as the 10/22 is semi auto. Semi-Auto's must have a barrel >18.5 for them to remain non-restricted.
Click to expand...

A 8.5" BBL made as a 8.5" BBL and not cut down, installed onto a rimfire receiver and into a stock that makes the gun's OAL 26" or greater will remain non-restricted...semi auto or other ....makes no difference for rimfires.
 
tiriaq said:
there is also the 16 odd inch short one that Ruger makes. You can buy it, but you can't cut it.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I believe that I would run into the same problem with that barrel - namely the muzzle not being thick enough to cut 1/2" x 28 threads into it. I was contemplating cutting an inch off simply so that I could get to a thicker section of barrel. I don't really want a short barrel, I just want a light barrel with a threaded end.

I've got numerous feelers out for an aluminum, threaded Tactical Solutions barrel - hopefully one will surface. In addition to the supply problem, another issue with the aluminum barrel is that I'm restricted to using their aluminum compensator instead of a steel flash hider. As a backup plan, I've ordered a slip on muzzle brake that'll fit over the end of the factory barrel. Unfortunately it's designed to slid around the front sight so I'm pretty sure it's going to look dorky.

Here is what I'm trying to imitate:
D462_5251_img.jpg
 
Why not just turn the factory barrel so it has a parallel section at the muzzle, install a sleeve, then turn and thread that to 1/2X28?
 
tiriaq said:
Why not just turn the factory barrel so it has a parallel section at the muzzle, install a sleeve, then turn and thread that to 1/2X28?
Click to expand...

Cuz.... ummm.... well, because.... ummm.....
:redface: because I never thought of doing that?
 
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CanFire said:
Unfortunately I believe that I would run into the same problem with that barrel - namely the muzzle not being thick enough to cut 1/2" x 28 threads into it.
Click to expand...


I have had 2 factory 18.5" 10/22 barrels that I have had the muzzle threaded 1/2"x28 by a smith on this board a couple of years ago. There was no problem and the barrel did not need to be shortend in any way. think it was $35 or $40 for both barrels to be done ( prices from 2/5 years ago)

I beleive the front sight except for the adjustable part is actually part of the barrel , I remember there was still a bit of the rim from the front sight at the receiver end of the threads . Hope this helps you
 
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Well, I've got a spare barrel to try it out on. Any experienced smiths want to PM me a good price for threading the barrel, giving it a nice crown, and re-bluing?

EDIT: I contacted GunTech to do the work and he's given me a terrific deal. Thanks everyone! I'll post pictures in the rimfire forum when I've got the gun all put together.
 
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Ok, this has bugging the sh*t out of me.

My dad decided to upgrade his POL to an RPAL and my brother decided to get his PAL today. They did the nonrestricted/hunter safety course. Dad did his RPAL course 2 weeks ago but was told he needed the non restricted PAL before they could upgrade his POL to the RPAL.

Anyway, their instructors (I was also told when I did my courses) argue black and blue saying that if you have a shotgun with a barrel shorter than 18.5 inches, it's illegal.

I thought it went by OAL, pending the barrel wasn't cut shorter than 18.5 inches. Meaning, you can buy it less than 18.5 inches like the dlask barrels I've seen, 6.5, 8, 14 inches...

Am I out to lunch here? Or are these instructors totally full of sh*t? They act as if they know exactly what they're talking about but I have firearms registered with barrels under 18.5 inches that are non restricted and they've told me that I'd best destroy them!!!
 
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