4+1 or 5+1 legal limit

ffgats

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Hi, kindly clarify for me the legal tube/mag capacity for the semi auto, this is for range use. Thanks
 
5 of the shell it was designed to hold in the magazine. If you happen to be able to fit in more than 5 of a shorter length shell, such as if your shotgun is designed for 3.5" and you fit in 6 2.75 shells, that is permitted because you still can only fit 5 of the shell length it was designed for.

Shells in the chamber do not count towards the magazine limit. Nor do shells ghostloaded on the loading gate if your shotgun allows such.

However, that is federal law, your range may have it's own set of rules. I have heard of some skeet ranges that restrict members to 2 shells even if they're not using a double barrelled shotgun.
 
Semi-auto shotgun magazine capacity is limited to 5 rounds of the largest shell size marked on the receiver. If it says 3", this means you can't get a 6th round of 3" shells in or you are in deep doo doo.

Most 3" labelled shotguns can fit 6 of the 2 3/4" shells in the tube and this is perfectly legal, plus potentially one on the lifter and one in the chamber for a total of 8 rounds starting, again all perfectly legal.

If you have a magazine extension, it needs to be limited to 5.9 shells of the largest labelled shell, and in this case (especially with 3.5" chambers) you may be able to get 7 in the magazine, again perfectly legal.

Hope this helps.

lonedrone
 
My VersaMax has no marking on the receiver for what's it's chambered in, nor do either of my 870s or the 930 I just sold.

Chambering is irrelevant.

For semi-auto shotguns: if the receiver is designed for 3" shells, then the magazine attached to it is limited to not accepting 6 3". If the receiver is designed for 3.5" shells, then the magazine attached to it may not accept 6 3.5" shells.
 
Before you crucify me lol, it was my understanding that 5 is the max limit, until. I spoke with one of the dealers where he mentioned that 4 is max. I gave him the benefit of doubt considering his exposure to the industry, its interesting to know where he base his opinion.
 
Before you crucify me lol, it was my understanding that 5 is the max limit, until. I spoke with one of the dealers where he mentioned that 4 is max. I gave him the benefit of doubt considering his exposure to the industry, its interesting to know where he base his opinion.

Working at a gun store doesn't make someone an expert on the Firearms Act. I've heard more ridiculous BS in-store than I have on the net.

Magazines designed for centerfire rifles or shotguns are limited to 5 rounds. Not 4.
 
Question here: My Versamax came with 2 3/4 AND 3" on the barrel. Does this mean I can't stuff 6 3 3/4s in it?

I believe that given the receiver is designed for 3.5", that also means the mag attached to it is designed for 3.5" shells, and that the chambering of the barrel that is attached is not relevant.

I have the tube on my VMT plugged for less than 6 3.5" rounds.

A related example is that when you use a mag designed for a different round than the gun is chambered for, ie: a Beowulf mag in a .223, or a .40 mag in a 9mm pistol, the chambering of the gun is not relevant to the magazine capacity.

Other folks believe the chambering dictates the capacity. Up to you to decide which way you want to go.
 
what ever the chambering is for... and the magazine only the gate/chamber is not part of the equation so if you buy a 3.5" that holds 5 ,3.5 but you can fit 7 2 3/4" its still legal....
 
Working at a gun store doesn't make someone an expert on the Firearms Act. I've heard more ridiculous BS in-store than I have on the net.

Magazines designed for centerfire rifles or shotguns are limited to 5 rounds. Not 4.

ditto
 
5+1+1 of whatever biggest size your shotty is designed for.

5 in the tube of 3 1/2 or 7 of 2 3/4
1 ghost loaded
1 in the chamber
 
Imagine all the controversy and confusion that would be avoided if gun store employees restricted their advice to actual experience with the guns they sell and Firearm's Instructor's restricted their's to the course material as it was provided.

To the OP enjoy that extra round!
 
Before you crucify me lol, it was my understanding that 5 is the max limit, until. I spoke with one of the dealers where he mentioned that 4 is max. I gave him the benefit of doubt considering his exposure to the industry, its interesting to know where he base his opinion.

Being a dealer / working in the firearm industry does not always make you right. This is an example of it. He is wrong. It's 5 of the largest size the chamber is designed for.
 
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I believe that given the receiver is designed for 3.5", that also means the mag attached to it is designed for 3.5" shells, and that the chambering of the barrel that is attached is not relevant.

I have the tube on my VMT plugged for less than 6 3.5" rounds.

A related example is that when you use a mag designed for a different round than the gun is chambered for, ie: a Beowulf mag in a .223, or a .40 mag in a 9mm pistol, the chambering of the gun is not relevant to the magazine capacity.

Other folks believe the chambering dictates the capacity. Up to you to decide which way you want to go.

It is the designation of the chamber size under the FRT number that will give you capacity. An example is the Versa Max Tactical vs Sportsman vs Synthetic. They all use the same receiver which is designed for 3 1/2" shells. The barrels on the Sportsman and Synthetic are marked 3 1/2". The barrel on the Tactical is marked 3" and the designation under the FRT number is 3". Therefore the maximum capacity is different. More than likely the only time this would come into play was if you were in a court of law and the documentation was produced. But I would hazard a guess that you have bigger problems then that if they are checking your guns that close!
 
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