Is there a legal minimum for barrel lengths on rifles and shotguns?
- Thread starter Canuck1911
- Start date
"...cut my m14 down to 18"..." No. Your instructor is trying to teach you to read the law, not just ask others.
Yes there is a legal minimum, but it mostly depends on the action type. Any barrel length reduction that results in the OAL of the firearm becoming less than 26" OAL is evil.
Those useless 12 and 14 inch shotgun barrels aren't evil because they came that way from the factory. You can't make one or cut a barrel to that length though.
Yes there is a legal minimum, but it mostly depends on the action type. Any barrel length reduction that results in the OAL of the firearm becoming less than 26" OAL is evil.
Those useless 12 and 14 inch shotgun barrels aren't evil because they came that way from the factory. You can't make one or cut a barrel to that length though.
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Read it again Shawn. If its legally owned, its not illegal; emphasis on the word 'if'. But there's no stipulation that it be sawed off in the OPs questions either.
It's a trick question because it doesn't provide enough information to answer it correctly. It depends on circumstances not outlined in the question.
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I have and my post still stands as what you posted is incorrect.
Simply having a 12.XX liscense does not make it legal for you to own every other prohibated device/firearm other than the ones in the class of liscence you have.
So, no if you can own prohibated firearms does not make it legal, as a blanket statement. It does make it legal if you are allowed to aquire and hold a licsence for that class.
For example having a 12.6 liscence it would be illegal for him to have a prohibated rifle or shotgun barrel.
•s.12(2): full automatics
•s.12(3): converted automatics
•s.12(4): firearms prohibited by former prohibition order No. 12
•s.12(5): firearms prohibited by former prohibition order No. 13
•s.12(6): handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm or less or that discharge .25 or .32 calibre ammunition. On licences issued on or after April 10, 2005, these firearms will be referred to as 12(6.1) firearms.
Shawn
Correct. And that's not what I said. You're misreading my comment, just as I said earlier.
The point I made was simply this: the flat answer is 'yes', but the legal minimum for barrel length depends on circumstances not defined in the original question. If we're talking manyfactured barrel length, or different classifications of firearms, then the legal minimum can vary.
No, actually you can shorten it a little more than that even. 18.5" to be safe, and that would remain non-restricted.
Or you can just buy yourself a second barrel from Canada Ammo that's 12.5" long and still stay non-restricted, as long as you keep a full length stock on the firearm.
See, there's also other exceptions too: overall length has to meet...er...I think it's 23.5" or something?
And a semi-auto shotgun barrel that was factory made shorter than 18.5" is legal to own and use, but that changes the classification of the shotgun itself into a Restricted firearm. That means you then have to phone CFC and have it registered as a Restricted. Which means you don't take it anywhere but the range or a gunsmith, just like a handgun. And that doesn't change if you just swap between a short and long barrel, because if a cop stops you, he's looking at serial numbers, not barrel length, and if you are in the bush with a "restricted", you could be facing charges or lose your license.
Similarly, pump shotguns AFAIK are legal to have short barrels that are manufactured...but if you combine a short barrel with a pistol-grip only, (meaning no full-length buttstock), then I believe it becomes restricted.
But if you really like pistol-grip-only for shotguns, you still have an option: keep the barrel at 18.5", and you are legal and non-restricted. This is usually only an option for pump guns, as most semi-autos seem to have a recoil spring going the length of the stock.
Personally though, I think pistol-grip-only is useless, unless you are a SWAT breacher specialist, but even they likely prefer full stocks most of the time.
Also, mention was made of rifles with short barrels. There are lots of short barrel AR-15's, even as short as 7.5", that remain Restricted. There's also a couple of manufacturers, like Dlask, who make short barrels for the rimfire Ruger 10/22, that are as short as 10", and I believe as long as you use a full stock, these can remain non-restricted.
This is what you said
That may not have whay you meant, but doesnt change the fact that that is what you said.
My point is dont make blanket statements that are untrue.
Shawn
Please define "manufacture" ?
AFAIK, at some point in the manufacturing process, there will be cutting involved, so when is a piece of tubing considered a full blown barrel ?
edit: partially answered by http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?912376-Remington-870-Barrel-too-Short though... it's a hell of a grey area...
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Read it again. How can it be illegal if its legally owned? If I have a NR PAL, my minimum legal length is determined by the class of firearm. If its 18", its illegal for me. But not for someone with an RPAL. If a firearm is prohibited because its barrel length is 105mm, then its illegal if you aren't licensed to possess it, but legal if you are. The point is simply that there is no single minimum 'legal' barrel length. It depends on circumstances not included in the question.
legal limits for non restricted rifles in canada
Actually, I have a 1892 lever action pistol , exactly the same one steve mcqueen had in wanted dead or alive. It has a 12 inch barrel, and an overall length of 23 inches, fires .44 mag center-fire rounds, and although it is considered a pistol in the u.s.a. In canada...it is considered a non-restricted rifle because the all mighty RCMP say you need two hands to cycle a round through to the chamber from the tubular magazine, when in fact, you can do this with one hand because of the extended tear drop lever. It is, in fact, the only exception to all the rules in canada. You are able to open carry this weapon in a holster on youre hip in plain view as long as it is not loaded. But you can carry the ammunition in a belt that is part of the same holster.
Actually, I have a 1892 lever action pistol , exactly the same one steve mcqueen had in wanted dead or alive. It has a 12 inch barrel, and an overall length of 23 inches, fires .44 mag center-fire rounds, and although it is considered a pistol in the u.s.a. In canada...it is considered a non-restricted rifle because the all mighty RCMP say you need two hands to cycle a round through to the chamber from the tubular magazine, when in fact, you can do this with one hand because of the extended tear drop lever. It is, in fact, the only exception to all the rules in canada. You are able to open carry this weapon in a holster on youre hip in plain view as long as it is not loaded. But you can carry the ammunition in a belt that is part of the same holster.
This has been a good thread, but I was wondering where they actually measure the barrel length from, I initially thought it would be from the
receiver to barrel interface, but a little checking, and CBSA say they do this,
+++++
all other firearms are measured from the
muzzle of the barrel up to and including the
chamber, but not including the length of any
part or accessory added to the barrel, including
those designed or intended to suppress the
muzzle flash or reduce the recoil, such as a
flash suppressor (eliminator) or muzzle brake.
receiver to barrel interface, but a little checking, and CBSA say they do this,
+++++
all other firearms are measured from the
muzzle of the barrel up to and including the
chamber, but not including the length of any
part or accessory added to the barrel, including
those designed or intended to suppress the
muzzle flash or reduce the recoil, such as a
flash suppressor (eliminator) or muzzle brake.
no, you cant cut a barrel below 18" without creating a prohibited firearm.
Re barreled or from the manufacturer at that length for. 22 cal is fine providing the overall lenght of the firearm remains 660mm or more. Barrel length is not regulated unless it has been modified. You cannot have it cut down and modified to that length after the fact. Which is stupid, you can't tell me a good gunsmith couldn't properly machine you a short barrel from the factory long barrel vs buying a manufactured short barrel?
johnathan.bartel
New member
- Location
- Kamloops B.C
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johnathan.bartel
New member
- Location
- Kamloops B.C
So what about a rimfire semi auto like my cooey model 64b?
