Legal shotgun length?

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PEGUY

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Just wondering what the shortest legal length a shot gun can be if you have it shortened? Also is it hard to shorten it yourself? I think I would get a gunsmith, but I was thinking how hard could it be?
 
In order to keep you Shotgun non-restricted, the barrel must be at least 18.5" long, and the overall length must be 26".

Depending on your skills, tools, and knowledge, you can shorten the barrel yourself. Just make sure your comfortable doing it before you start.
 
Maybe so, but it came from the factory like that (or had a professionally made replacment barrel) if you shorten a barrel it must remain over 18.5".
 
Ah, gotcha. My registration for it says "Barrel length: under 470mm" or something like that, even though it's pretty much the same rules that apply. :D
 
pretty sure 18.5" barrel is for semi autos only, pump can have an overall length of 26" ie 12.5" barrel with a full stock is still over 26"
 
Ardent said:
OK, you CANNOT cut a barrel below 18.5",
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Sure you can. :p You can cut it down to 457mm if it's not a semi-auto. It needs to stay 470mm if it's a semi though because anything shorter than that is going to instantly start shooting nuns, kittens and puppies. Overall length still needs ot be over 660mm though.

If it's not one of these, it's non-restricted.
"prohibited firearm" means

(a) a handgun that

(i) has a barrel equal to or less than 105 mm in length, or

(ii) is designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32 calibre cartridge,

but does not include any such handgun that is prescribed, where the handgun is for use in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union,

(b) a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,

(i) is less than 660 mm in length, or

(ii) is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length,

(c) an automatic firearm, whether or not it has been altered to discharge only one projectile with one pressure of the trigger, or

(d) any firearm that is prescribed to be a prohibited firearm;
Click to expand...

"restricted firearm"


"restricted firearm" means

(a) a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm,

(b) a firearm that

(i) is not a prohibited firearm,

(ii) has a barrel less than 470 mm in length, and

(iii) is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,

(c) a firearm that is designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm by folding, telescoping or otherwise, or

(d) a firearm of any other kind that is prescribed to be a restricted firearm;
Click to expand...
 
I thought like Ardent, just goes to show the more I learn the less I thought I knew.

As far as shortening the barrel, if it's a smooth barrel (non vented rib) just use a plumbers pipe/tube cutter. Do a practice cut near the muzzle and see how you do. There's lots of practice room before you get to the end length. A good sharp tool will leave you only needing a flat smooth file to finish it off.

I use making tape over the area I'm going to cut so as to not damage the finish on the barrel.
 
Stoeger - IGA - "Backpaker" .410 - Factory original length. FRT 33873
O.A.L. 28-1/2" / 725mm +/- Bbl. 12"/300mm. ( as per FRT Tables)
"Non-restricted" - Any "Bulletins" otherwise ???
 
Ardent said:
Are you meaning to tell me that I've been propogating a myth and am every bit as useless and frustrating as the bullpup crowd! :eek: So... Have I really been that out of the loop, you can cut down a non-semi barrel below 18.5...? NICE.
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Yup. You can cut it down yourself to 457mm (18")! A whopping whole half inch of cutting excitement available on non semi-auto centerfire firearms. Anything shorter than that would be prohibited though.
If it is a semi, the barrel has to be at least 470mm(18.5"). If it's any other type of action, it does not matter what size barrel the manufacturer puts on it, as long as the overall length is at least 660mm(26"). The barrel has to come from the manufacturer that way though. As an individual, you can only go whacking things down on your own to 457mm(18").
 
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Steeleco said:
I thought like Ardent, just goes to show the more I learn the less I thought I knew.

As far as shortening the barrel, if it's a smooth barrel (non vented rib) just use a plumbers pipe/tube cutter. Do a practice cut near the muzzle and see how you do. There's lots of practice room before you get to the end length. A good sharp tool will leave you only needing a flat smooth file to finish it off.

I use making tape over the area I'm going to cut so as to not damage the finish on the barrel.
Click to expand...

Great advice on the tube cutter. I tried it today on an old semi that i have lying around and cut it down to just over 18.5 inches. It seemed to work great. nice even cut now all i have to do is file down the very small rough parts

000_0054.jpg
 
Thanks for the great info.

Now I am looking at pipe cutters in the hardware store and they say they are for copper pipe, will they work well on the steel of a barrel?

Just want to confirm before I throw down $10 on a pipe cutter!!! Thats 2 boxes of shells.
 
PEGUY said:
Now I am looking at pipe cutters in the hardware store and they say they are for copper pipe, will they work well on the steel of a barrel?
Click to expand...

Yup they work....1/4 turn of the pipe cutter every other complete revolution of the barrel.....

It will take a few minutes but you get a great cut.....

You should also not take the advice of the guys on his site if your legal future is at stake....

YOU CANNOT CUT A BARREL LESS THAN 18.5 " AT HOME BY YOURSELF

OVERALL LENGTH OF THE GUN DOES NOT MATTER......A GUNSMITH WILL ONLY CUT IT TO 18.5"...NOT 14, 10 OR 8.5......IT IS ILLEGAL TO TAKE A FACTORY BARREL AND CHOP IT TO LESS THAN 18.5 "

IF YOU WANT IT SHORTER THAN THAT THEN YOU HAVE TO BUY A FACTORY MADE BARREL...............

WHY DO YOU THINK EVERYONE IS GETTING THE DLASK BARRELS.......
 
JohnC said:
also remember you can buy just the barrel form the manufacturer, it doesn't have to be the whole gun. For instance, Dlask offers 870 Barrels in 14, 12.5, 10, and 8.5 inches.
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So is there anything in writting from the CFC that states that installing a shorter after market barrel is not considered altering the gun? :confused:

I just like to the regulations printed and with me when I go into the bush incase I am questioned.
 
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