Mag tube extensions and semi autos

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hvmetalhead

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from my understanding of the law the magazine limit applies to what the mag was designed for not the weapon it is used in.

So it I were to attach an extension for an for an 870 to my 11-87 would I be breaking the law? Or would I just be in a grey area?
 
You would be a criminal. Any semi-automatic fireram firing centerfire cartridges (all shotguns are centerfire) is legally limited to a maximum of 5 shots. More than that and they become prohibited devices. Hence, your 11-87 would become a prohib.
 
It would be illegal, but not for the reason stated above. There are no centerfire firearm or centerfire cartride capacities in Canadian law. There are magazine capacities though. If you add an extension to your 11-87 mag, it is still an 11-87 mag with an extension....max is 5 rounds of the largest shell the firearm is chambered for.
 
-edited-

Canadian_Zuk said:
It would be illegal, but not for the reason stated above. There are no centerfire firearm or centerfire cartride capacities in Canadian law. There are magazine capacities though. If you add an extension to your 11-87 mag, it is still an 11-87 mag with an extension....max is 5 rounds of the largest shell the firearm is chambered for.
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Exactly.

hvmetalhead, you're hoping that adding the 870 extension to your 11-87 would be like using a 40S&W magazine in a 9mm for the extra capacity (which is clearly legal according to the RCMP bulletin). It's not the right comparison, however, because what you want to do is more like using a +2 magazine extension (legal on an 8-rd pistol magazine) on a 10-rd pistol magazine (not legal).
 
It is not a grey area.
What cartridge is the shotgun marked for?
If it is stamped 2 2/4", the largest legal magazine capacity is 5 rounds of 2 3/4" ammunition.
3"? 5 rounds of 3" ammunition.
3 1/2"? 5 rounds of those cartridges.
If more rounds of shorter ammunition can be loaded, that is legal.
Just make sure that with the magazine extension installed, the shotgun cannot hold more than 5 rounds of the longest round for which the gun is marked.
 
hvmetalhead said:
On a side note. My barrel is marked 2 3/4 - 3

If I were to change the barrel for a 3 1/2 would my shot gun be legal?
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yes it would be legal, the barrel markings are all that matters. BUT...make sure your action has a long enough stroke to cycle/eject the longer shells.

Edit: 5 x 3.5" shells take up 17.5" of mag tube, this allows for 6.3 x 2.75" shells. If you plug your tube so it just barely doesn't load the 6th shell you can fit 7 x 2.75" shells and still be legal. IE: 6 shells at 3.5" = 21" - .5" for legal safety leaves 20.5" of unplugged mag tube. 7 x 2.75" shells fit in 19.25".
 
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Canadian_Zuk said:
yes it would be legal, the barrel markings are all that matters. BUT...make sure your action has a long enough stroke to cycle/eject the longer shells.

Edit: 5 x 3.5" shells take up 17.5" of mag tube, this allows for 6.3 x 2.75" shells. If you plug your tube so it just barely doesn't load the 6th shell you can fit 7 x 2.75" shells and still be legal. IE: 6 shells at 3.5" = 21" - .5" for legal safety leaves 20.5" of unplugged mag tube. 7 x 2.75" shells fit in 19.25".
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Ever measured a loaded round ? You might be surprised. Length (2 3/4, 3, 3.5) refers to an empty hull. You might want to check your math.
 
4b1t said:
Ever measured a loaded round ? You might be surprised. Length (2 3/4, 3, 3.5) refers to an empty hull. You might want to check your math.
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No I haven't measured one and the exact math is irrelevant. My post was to outline the legal ramifications not provide exact magazine blueprints. I'm sure the OP understands the point I made. In hind sight I guess I should have started my edit with IF 5x3.5" shells take up 17.5" blah blah blah...
 
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