Barrel length legalities...

2bad4u2

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Ok, so I've ordered a Shilen barrel blank for my .300 Blackout build. I plan on using a donor Rem 700 and a LTR stock. I was looking to keep the barrel length between 14"-16" but I am no sure of the legality in doing so. My combination will be well over the 26" minimum OAL requirement, so my area of concern is only with the barrel length.

I know it's a commonly held "opinion" here on this site that as long as the finished barrel is manufactured from a barrel blank and not a cut down manufactured barrel, then it is permissable to use a length less than 18.5" while maintaining a non-restricted status.

However, what basis in actual law exists for one to come to that conclusion? I can't find information that would support this.

The legal definition of a prohibited firearm is as follows:

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.

If you read this carefully, it states that any alteration to a rifle or shotgun that leads to the barrel being less than 18" (restricted) classifies the firearm as prohibited.

Based on what I see here, shortening an existing finished barrel or furinshing one from a blank constitutes an alteration to an existing rifle or shotgun. There doesn't appear to be a free pass here for custom barrel lengths less than 18" made from barrel blanks.
 
I believe if you were to buy the barrel you are ok with a shorter than 18 inch barrel.....the shotgun crowd do it with the grizzly barrels...the CFC is notified of the change in overall length....its just when you cut the barrel yourself that the shorter than 18 inchs rule comes into effect...IMHO...
 
chalkriver said:
I believe if you were to buy the barrel you are ok with a shorter than 18 inch barrel.....the shotgun crowd do it with the grizzly barrels...the CFC is notified of the change in overall length....its just when you cut the barrel yourself that the shorter than 18 inchs rule comes into effect...IMHO...
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I'd like to keep the focus of the discussion on the legality of what I asked. I know you can purchase ready-made short barrels for shotguns.
 
From all I can gather, the official interpretation is that a finished barrel fitted to a firearm cannot be shortened to less than the 457mm length. If the barrel is made to a shorter length, never having been fitted to that firearm, finished at a longer length, then the 457mm does not apply.
However, this opinion is just about as meaningful as anything else you can read on the 'net.
 
I read it is illegal to alter a rifle or shotgun to shorter the 18 " by yourself. I believe as long as a gunsmith is doing the work and the overall is okay then your good to go as long as it isnt a centerfire semiauto
 
As a gun smith is making your barrel, he can manufacture your custom barrel length to whatever as long as the firearms overall length is over 16 inches. In your legal quote the key word is alter. Meaning taking something already completed and changing it. The gunsmith will make your barrel that length and is licensed to do so. I know cause I almost built a custom 308 with a 16 inch barrel. Was all good, no issues what so ever when my smith confirmed with the cfc as it was from a barrel blank. Hope this helps.
 
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barrels

Not sure if this will help but I was going to build a handgun out of a model 600 remington action, I talked to the goverment people they said no problem but it needs to be a barrel from a manufacture that they know she listed all the common ones. I was talking about a 15" barrel she said as long as I know that my ser # will now be a restricted firearm. Also they were very clear to point out to me NOT to just cut down my factory barrel as that would make it a prohibited weapon. I know this is not exactly what you asked but I thought I would throw it out there. If you want I can try find the info on who I talked to and what department. thanks
 
I was told by the RCMP that as a gunsmith I could not cut an existing barrel shorter than 18 inches on a bolt action. A barrel blank over 18 inches is an existing barrel, it just has not been fitted yet. If you were to order it from the barrel maker less than 18 inches then it is an existing barrel less than 18 inches. A gunsmith is not a manufacturer unless he pays the manufacturing fee and is licensed as such.

All that you read on forums is not reliable including what I have posted here. Call the authorities and get the info direct. Then call back in a week and get it again from a different person... repeat several times...
 
Dennis,

Ironically enough, I contacted the RCMP firearms lab this morning regarding this and received the following response:

Good Day Sir,

After conferring with my team leader, I have been able to confirm that it is perfectly legal to fabricate a rifle barrel shorter than 457mm (18") in length for use on a bolt-action rifle.

We would need some details on the barrel blank used, such as:

1. Make of barrel blank

2. Where it was purchased from, and, if possible, a copy of the invoice for the barrel blank.

Once this is done, we can then proceed to creating an FRT entry so that the registration for the rifle can be amended.

I think I may have covered everything.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Mike

Michael Bartlett
Firearms Technologist
Specialized Firearms Support Services (SFSS)

Ottawa Ontario K1A 0R2
Tel: 1-800-731-4000 (ext . 1090)
Fax: 613-993-5548
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I talked about this at length with him and he seemed to be knowledgable and even made reference to the exact wording of the definition of a prohibited firearm, indicating that the law only says you can't shorten an existing finished barrel lower than 18".

Denis, I share your concern. You're no doubt going to get different answers based on who you talk to. In the end, I only plan on talking to one. If anything else, getting my question answered in writing was a prudent thing to do, and should stand up in court should the need arise.
 
Mystic Precision said:
OMG,

Can I get a copy?????

That is AWESOME info to have.

Thanks for the effort.

Better yet, maybe the mods can make this a sticky so others can just reference your info here.

Jerry
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Jerry, I think a sticky would be a good idea. Ideally, I would have preferred to make my inquiry directly through my Provincial Firearms Office, however, I wanted to know right away and contacted them directly.

My belief would be that anything documented going through the CFO would have more influence and weight in court should it be necessary to defend oneself there.

Afterall, if the RCMP and appointed Provincial bureaucrats can't properly inform citizens on matters pertaining to laws that they are responsible to enforce, I would doubt a judge would even be willing to entertain a conviction under the circumstances.
 
This is a good thread - though I'd have never thought to have looked in the precision rifles forum for it... I've only been searching the legalese section... my bad :p
 
Jamie said:
so can i have a factory barrel cut down to 18"?
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Of course.

If it is a semi auto centerfire, it will become restricted, being under 18 1/2".
Non-restricted, cutting to 18 does not change status.
You can have it cut or do it yourself, it doesn't matter.

In Michael Bartlett's letter, he referred to registration, creating a FRT entry, and classification.
I would suggest that with the demise of the registry, there is no need for even bothering with the RCMP. There is no legal need for a FRT entry. It is simply no longer any business of theirs. Period.
Just be darn sure that the firearm's configuration is not going to take it out of the non-restricted category, as clearly defined by the law.
 
Breech face to muzzle face, allow for crowning, etc. Measure repeatedly, cut once. Sometimes you cut them two, even three times, and they are still too short.
Better to leave a bit extra.
 
So does barrel length include the muzzle brake?? or just the rifling and chamber??

I couldn't find anything on the CFC web page. If any one can quote the article I would appreciate it.

Thanks
 
Blygy said:
So does barrel length include the muzzle brake?? or just the rifling and chamber??

I couldn't find anything on the CFC web page. If any one can quote the article I would appreciate it.

Thanks
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It only includes the muzzle break if it's permanently attached and the barrel was made that way which means it has to be made with the barrel then welded on so it can't come off. For example the bond arms snake slayer has a 4.2 inch barrel 3 inches is chamber for shotgun shell so you really only have a 1.2 inch of rifle barrel to shoot out of.

You can have any firearm with a barrel length of 4.2 inches (a little over the min) as long as the barrel was made that way cutting things down can put them in a prohibit class so you have to be very careful it's allot easier to just order a barrel from a gunsmith made to what ever length you want.

Semi auto center fire have to have 18.5 and be greater then 26 inches to be non restricted. Were a pump, lever, bolt only have to be 26 inches long. That’s why the travor is non restricted with the 18.5 inch barrel and is only 26 inches long.
 
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