So I have a bolt action centre fire rifle the barrel is bulged and I was wanting to cut it back to about 10.5 inches rather than buy a new barrel. Anybody done this with a barrel that was originally made at factory below 18.5 inches. I did call the firearms lab but had to leave a message and yes if barrel is at 10.5 it would remain at an overal length past 26 would be about 27 and 1/4
Legalities of cutting a rifle barre already under 18 inches
- Thread starter jimbo45
- Start date
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Cannot cut a factory barrel under 18" for manual action or 18.5" semi.. Now you can install a manufactured barrel shorter than 18" on a bolt action, as long as it maintains 26" OAL. Or the impression I was given.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I would be interested in hearing any reply from the "lab" that OP might get? (I added Imperial into quotes below)
From Canada Criminal Code 84(1): prohibited firearm means ...
(b) a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted, ...
(ii) is 660 mm (25.98") or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm (17.99") in length, ...
So no mention of what it started out as, only what it ended up as, after "sawing, cutting or any other alteration"??
From Canada Criminal Code 84(1): prohibited firearm means ...
(b) a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted, ...
(ii) is 660 mm (25.98") or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm (17.99") in length, ...
So no mention of what it started out as, only what it ended up as, after "sawing, cutting or any other alteration"??
That is a grey area. Some argues that it would be an alteration of the firearms and would be prohibited.
For instance taking a Ruger 10/22 and installing a KIDD (or whatever the brand) 12 inch barrel.
There is no definitive answers on that that i could find.
Established practice and interpretation is that barrel length as made is considered differently than barrel length after being cut.
This is why numerous short barrels for rifles and shotguns are being openly sold and used.
OP asked if a barrel originally less than 18" in length can be shortened.
Probably not. The law refers to a barrel being shortened to less than 18". It does not specify a barrel greater than 18" being shortened to less than 18".
So, literally speaking, a 16" barrel cut back to 12" is a barrel shortened to less than 18".
Replacing is a better idea than cutting.
This is why numerous short barrels for rifles and shotguns are being openly sold and used.
OP asked if a barrel originally less than 18" in length can be shortened.
Probably not. The law refers to a barrel being shortened to less than 18". It does not specify a barrel greater than 18" being shortened to less than 18".
So, literally speaking, a 16" barrel cut back to 12" is a barrel shortened to less than 18".
Replacing is a better idea than cutting.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Yes, would be nice to have clarity! HaHa! Like that will happen!!! How about screwing a 17.7" NOS Swede 94 6.5x55 barrel into a Swede 1896 receiver?? I do not even know if there is actually an identifiable difference between the two receivers, except for the serial number series - both were made side by side in same arsenal right through to 1927 (Carl Gustaf armoury - pages 146, 148 in "Crown Jewels" The Mauser in Sweden by Dana Jones) But, at least there is a continuing practice that this "alteration" appears perfectly acceptable.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Well I had a few 10/22 with a 8" and another with a 12" barrel. I got a GSG 16 that had a factory 16" that has a 9" barrel now. And a Lee Enfield with a 12.5" 9mm barrel at a shop.
Contact Dlask, esp with their shotguns with 8 to 12" barrels.
Installing a M94 carbine barrel on any receiver is in line with established practice and interpretation. An unaltered barrel is being used.
Shortening a M96 or M38 barrel to the same length as a M94 carbine barrel would create a prohibited firearm.
Note that the barrel itself has no legal status. A M94 carbine barrel cut to 6" is just a barrel. Don't install it on a receiver though. The only barrel classified as a prohibited device all by itself is a sub 105mm handgun barrel.
Shortening a M96 or M38 barrel to the same length as a M94 carbine barrel would create a prohibited firearm.
Note that the barrel itself has no legal status. A M94 carbine barrel cut to 6" is just a barrel. Don't install it on a receiver though. The only barrel classified as a prohibited device all by itself is a sub 105mm handgun barrel.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Hence my "not so well hid" frustration with people that make these rules. I am very much a beginner on my old Atlas lathe, but quite certain I can turn an M96 barrel to be exactly the same exterior size and contour as a M94 barrel, but one would be fine and one would be "prohibited' when installed!!! Hope that makes sense to some person some where, because I am sure that it does not, to most here that are reading!!!
I have been dealing with this as well.
If a barrel blank is (for example) 22''. No thread, no chamber, no crown. Essentially just a tube with a rifled bore.
It is then manufactured into a (for example) 16'' finished barrel by an established and licensed gunsmith.
This is then fitted to a bolt action, put into a stock and has an overall length of over 26''.
In my interpretation, this would be a non-restricted firearm. It was not modified in any way, it was manufactured and assembled to it's current state.
If a barrel blank is (for example) 22''. No thread, no chamber, no crown. Essentially just a tube with a rifled bore.
It is then manufactured into a (for example) 16'' finished barrel by an established and licensed gunsmith.
This is then fitted to a bolt action, put into a stock and has an overall length of over 26''.
In my interpretation, this would be a non-restricted firearm. It was not modified in any way, it was manufactured and assembled to it's current state.
Well my understanding is you would be wrong. Licenced Gunsmiths can not legally shorten ether. they must have a manufacturing licence .
The thing is, firstly that cops are, in general, retards and secondly that they will consult the FRT and see that your GSG is supposed to have a longer barrel.
From there you will be charged either to have sawed or cut the barrel OR to have altered the firearm in a way that the barrel is less than 457 mm in length.
I've seen this in the past.
Your firearm is made by GSG. It leaves the GSG factory with a 16 inch (?) barrel. From there swapping a 9 inch barrel could well be considered "altering" the firearm "and that, as so adapted, is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length"
All legal requirements for a prohib are checked.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I'm not too worried, because if I am going down, so will the business.
A blank isn't a barrel. A blank is the raw material from which a barrel is made.
Anyone can make a gun barrel. There is no legal requirement to be either a licenced gunsmith or a manufacturer.
There are enough laws and restrictions already, without imagining more.
Except that the interpretation of the law and established practice is that altering the existing barrel is an offence, while replacing the barrel isn't.
Further, your statement that all cops are, in general, retards is inaccurate. It is stereotyping and a sweeping negative generalization.
yes anyone can make a barrel.
If you take a blank and manufacturer it to a length less than the legal limit and install it on a firearm as a finished barrel.
you would be breaking the law without a manufacturing licence. Companies that make shorter barrels like DLASK are licenced to do so and put there name on the product.
A gunsmithing licence and manufacturing licence are not the same.
