14" barrel cut vs. 14" factory and ammo?

short barrels

While participating in this thread I decided to peruse my collection of shotguns.

An interesting observation is that the 3 different Norinco 14in shotgun barrels I own have only "12g 3in" marked on them.
They have absolutely nothing else marked on them whatsoever.
No manufacturer/model/barrel length/choke/proof marks......Nothing.
Not to mention the fit/finish of these firearms wouldn't defend the issue of appearance...they look like they were cut off with a hacksaw and spray painted black! Actually they likely are manufactured in this manner! LOL

I don't think I would be too comfortable having to defend any of these barrels as a stand alone item.

I am reasonably comfortable carrying the 14in Norinco barrels in the field as they are mated to a Norinco receiver that I have a cert. for stating less than 470mm.

All of the various Remington barrels I possess have a myriad of proof marks as well as all indicate the maufacturer and choke although none of course indicate length.

If I were to mate a Norinco 14in barrel to a Remington receiver (with a cert stating less than 470mm) and or have the barrel on it's own I can't see where I could prove it's authenticity??
 
tiriaq said:
OK, a manufactured short barrel will not be automatically illegal. A shortened one is.
Let's suppose that someone innocently acquired a firearm with a shortened (i.e. illegal) barrel. Let's assume that the firearm attracted attention, was examined, and was determined to be a prohibited firearm. There is every possibility that charges would be laid. In all likelihood, every firearm that the person owned would be seized pending disposition of the case. Now, if the person had acquired the firearm honestly believing that it was legal, it is possible that the charges could be dropped, or that an acquittal could result. Perhaps there would be no application for a prohibition order, and any seized firearms would be returned. The short barrelled firearm would be forfeit, of course. It would be a misery.
This is a situation that can be easliy avoided. Don't mess with a gun that may have been shortened. If a shortgun is needed, make sure that its origin, or the barrel's origin can be documented.
Click to expand...

I agree that if a situation can be avoided, that is the preferable route. Way less misery indeed. I understand what you are saying, but I take exception to some of the wording you have used.

""every possibility that charges would be laid?""


The is A (a) possibility and that would not be probable unless the crown or the cop thought that you were lying and thought he could prove it.

""In all likelihood, every firearm that the person owned would be seized pending disposition of the case. ""

That could happen, but not probable unless, there are more illegal guns and more to the case than meets the eye?

"" Now, if the person had acquired the firearm honestly believing that it was legal, it is possible that the charges could be dropped, or that an acquittal could result. ""

If the person acquired the fiearm honestly as you say the result would not only be possible but probable that charges would be dropped and an acquittal would result. Unless some fabricated evidence was introduced?

The best thing the so called accused could do is present the certificate that was issued by the CFC and claim innocence. The cops or the crown would be foolish not to investigate further?

I think that in your post you were saying that knowing exactly what you have is the best way to keep one out of trouble. I agree. I do not agree with fear mongering, but I think that the issue has to be respected for the possibility that it may be misunderstood.
 
The information about a firearm recorded on a registration certificate is minimal.
The information about the same firearm recorded in the registry data base is much more extensive.
If a search of the registry is conducted, the actual barrel length of the firearm when originally registered will be found. The actual barrel length doesn't appear on the registration certificate, but it is in the database.
 
Any matter like this is a s**t show. You take you chances even when obeying the law because the people who are responsible for enforcing these laws have no sweet clue. My buddy bought my factory 18" 870 barrel and it took a half hour and went through 3 "firearms technicians" before they called back and said that he could put it on his 870 without changing the class. DUH! Yet when I called to install my 14" the lady said if the certificate said less then 470mm not to worry about it because they werent going to bother changing the cert anyway, they were just going tag it as a combo gun. It was a 2 minute phone call.(and Im calling again to make sure its in the system somewhere I have a legal 14" barrel) With boundaries this blurry IMO it's worth the extra cash to purchase something you know for a fact is legal, at least then if the SHTF you have a fighting chance.
 
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tiriaq said:
Don't mess with a gun that may have been shortened. If a shortgun is needed, make sure that its origin, or the barrel's origin can be documented.
Click to expand...
Really good advice. I have a 14" barrel for my 870 but it's a Remington factory barrel with modified choke and rifle sights. It's easily proved a factory barrel. The registration certificate however says more than 470mm but popping on the short barrel doesn't change the class of the firearm so I'm not worried about it. FWIW, I use the short barrel rarely and prefer the 20" barrel for most situations.
 
I bought a Stevens sxs from environment canada...brand new still in the brown paper wrapping. They bought it in the 60`s and were selling them off. I have it cut down to 18.5 as a nice coach gun
 
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