Short barrled shot guns.

dgradinaru

dgradinaru

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ok so i have a few old shot guns and the barrels are 30 inches. So i planning to cut one of the barrels shorter. Whats the shortest i can get and staying in the fire arm act.
 
dgradinaru said:
Somebody told me, that the gun has to be an overall 26 inches??? is this true?
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It sounds like unless it's a semi or is reduced by folding or telescoping, or it has been altered it isn't really a factor? In your case you would be altering the gun therefore it can't be less then 26'" overall length with an 18" barrel.

I'm a little confused? The Rossi Ranch Hand Mares Leg is 24" OAL and is non-restricted. But it comes manufactured that way. :confused:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm
Definition of a Restricted Firearm

According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:

* a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm;
* a semi-automatic, centre-fire rifle or shotgun with a barrel length less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) that is not prohibited;
* a rifle or shotgun that can fire when its overall length is reduced by folding, telescoping or some other means to less than 660 mm (26 inches);
* any firearm prescribed as restricted (including some long guns).

Definition of a Prohibited Firearm

The Criminal Code states that a prohibited firearm is:

* a handgun with a barrel length of 105 mm or less;
* a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 25 or 32 calibre ammunition;
* a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make it less than 660 mm (26 inches) in overall length;
* a rifle or shotgun that has been altered to make the barrel length less than 457 mm (18 inches) where the overall firearm length is 660 mm (26 inches) or more;
* an automatic firearm and a converted automatic firearm;
* any firearm prescribed as prohibited.
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dgradinaru said:
Somebody told me, that the gun has to be an overall 26 inches??? is this true?
Click to expand...

I was referring to barrel length... as long as your gun has a stock of some sort on it I doubt you will be under 26" for overall length.

Why don't you tell us what you have?
 
If the gun is manufactured shorter than 26 inches then it is not nessecarily prohibited. If the bbl is manufactured less than 18 inches it is not nessecarily prohibited. Often this classifies them as restricted.

If you cut a bbl yourself it can be no less than 18 inches. Most play is safe and leave it a bit over 18.5. If you alter the stock and the bbl it must remain at least 26 inches OAL. This means that though you can cut a bbl to 18.5 inches, it still need to be long enough to keep the OAL of the firearm above 26 inches. If you alter the stock or BBl shorter it becomes prohib. If you buy a bbl making it shorter than 26 inches OAL it changes it's class to restricted.

basically if you buy it shorter, that's fine. If you modify it yourself to be shorter it would become prohibited. Short bbls or folding stocks that come from the manufacturer may cause them to be classed as restricted. Generally so long as the OAL stays over 26inches they class it as non-restricted reguardless of bbl length. But not always....

Confused yet? lol

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/rp-eng.htm
Non-restricted firearms are any rifles and shotguns that are neither restricted nor prohibited. Most common long guns are non-restricted, but there are a few exceptions, as indicated in this fact sheet.

Definition of a Restricted Firearm

According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:
• a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm;
• a semi-automatic, centre-fire rifle or shotgun with a barrel length less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) that is not prohibited;
• a rifle or shotgun that can fire when its overall length is reduced by folding, telescoping or some other means to less than 660 mm (26 inches);
• any firearm prescribed as restricted (including some long guns).
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http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/prohibited-prohibe-eng.htm
What firearms are prohibited?

The Criminal Code defines the following firearms as prohibited:
• automatics, including those that have been converted so that they can only fire one projectile when the trigger is squeezed;
• handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less, and handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few specific models used in International Shooting Union competitions;.
• rifles and shotguns that have been altered so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); or
• any firearm prescribed as prohibited -- These can be found in the fact sheet listing restricted and prohibited firearms.
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You CAN cut the barrel of a semiauto centerfire rifle/carbine/shotgun
shorter than 18.5" (but not shorter than 18"), and
it will fit the definition of RESTRICTED, rather than prohibited/illegal.
You have to inform the CFC so they change the classification to restricted.
 
Dr.Lector said:
You CAN cut the barrel of a semiauto centerfire rifle/carbine/shotgun
shorter than 18.5" (but not shorter than 18"), and
it will fit the definition of RESTRICTED, rather than prohibited/illegal.
You have to inform the CFC so they change the classification to restricted.
Click to expand...

You sure about that? You can BUY a bbl shorter, and reclassify it as restricted, but you can't CUT it shorter.


ndb86 said:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/prohibited-prohibe-eng.htm
What firearms are prohibited?

The Criminal Code defines the following firearms as prohibited:
• automatics, including those that have been converted so that they can only fire one projectile when the trigger is squeezed;
• handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less, and handguns that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition, except for a few specific models used in International Shooting Union competitions;.
• rifles and shotguns that have been altered so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm (about 18 inches) or their overall length is less than 660 mm (about 26 inches); or
• any firearm prescribed as prohibited -- These can be found in the fact sheet listing restricted and prohibited firearms.
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Click to expand...
 
Dr.Lector said:
Yes, I'm very sure.
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I'm not trying to be a naysayer or know it all, but would you please show where is says so in writing? as per what I posted, it clearly says any shotgun altered to have bbl length shorter than 18 inches or altered to be less than 26 inches is prohib. Alter means cutting of the BBL or stock. You can buy a bbl shorter and class it as restricted, but cutting makes it prohib.

I'm not saying you're wrong, the CFC website says your wrong. If indeed the website is wrong I would like to know where in the firearms act it contradicts this.
 
ndb86 said:
I'm not trying to be a naysayer or know it all, but would you please show where is says so in writing? as per what I posted, it clearly says any shotgun altered to have bbl length shorter than 18 inches is prohib or altered to be less than 26 inches.

I'm not saying you're wrong, the CFC website says your wrong. If indeed the website is wrong I would like to know where in the firearms act it contradicts this.
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Well, my post does not conflict what you say, nor what the CFC sez.
Please read it again (post #10).
:)
 
dammit I read it again. Either you edited it to add "but not shorter than 18" when I wasn't looking or I can't read... I'm gonna go with I can't read lol.
 
Dr.Lector said:
Well, you quoted my post (#10) in your post (#11),
both are identical, so I guess there is no edit.
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or you edited it just as I clicked quote! LOL it's internet magic... :p. Maybe I should go back to grade 1 and learn how to read?

A is for Ammuniton
B is for Bullet

... I wish I could go to that school! lol
 
You know, that part of law has been read
by thousands of people, hundred thousand times,
and is difficult to see WHY nobody catches it.
It's not much to play within, only 0.5", BUT it can make
the difference between charged and free to go.
However, the gun has to be registered accordingly.
 
I hate our laws lol. Even those who "think" they understand it for themselves, have a hard time explaining it to others!... or maybe that's just me. :p
 
Can-down said:
18" for a non semi and 18.5" for a semi
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This is my understanding of the law, but add 1/2" if you're not sure. :) These are the "truths" ndb86, as I understand them;

1. Any gun shorter than 26", from the factory or altered by you, is restricted~period.
2. If YOU'RE altering a semi, then 18.5" is as short as you can go.
3. If YOU'RE altering anything else, 18" is as short as you can go.
4. If cutting your barrel makes the overall length even a hair under 26", the gun is now restricted~period.

Make sense?

Let's look at a break-barrel single shot. Measure the distance from the butt end of the stock to where the barrel starts~write that dimension down. Measure from where the barrel starts out to say 18.5" (towards the muzzle) and mark that spot with a pc. of tape. Add the first dimension to the 18.5". If the total is greater than 26", you're safe to cut it there. Under no circumstance can an individual cut their barrel shorter than 18" though, so you ought to be well over 26" sticking to that rule. (Internet advice, if your math is terrible, don't blame me :) ) The shorter barrels you see out there~as I understand it, manufacturers can make/sell them...you can install them..provided the overall length, again, isn't shorter than 26".

Maybe this thread should be in the black & green shotgun forum...?
 
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