Max shotgun rounds per the RCMP

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Bubbafett33

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I've seen all sorts of mixed messages about using more than five shorter shells in a semi-auto shotgun chambered for longer rounds, so I asked the RCMP.

Here's my question, and their answer (TL:DR - It's no more than 5. Ever.):

1. For shooting clays/targets (not hunting), what is the maximum number of cartridges I can legally load into the tube magazine of a 12ga semi-automatic shotgun chambered for 3.5” rounds (ie this one <https://www.beretta.com/en-us/a400-xtreme-plus-synthetic/> )? I believe the answer is that the tube magazine cannot hold more than five 3.5” cartridges. So five plus one in the chamber is the max legal loadout.

This appears to confirm it:

3. (1) Any cartridge magazine

(a) that is capable of containing more than five cartridges of the type for which the magazine was originally designed and that is designed or manufactured for use in

(ii) a semi-automatic firearm other than a semi-automatic handgun,​


​
2. What I can’t find an answer to is how many 2.75” shells I can load. Because of their shorter length, I could load a sixth shell in the tube….but would that make it illegal? “Five rounds max” is a pretty prominent quote in the research I’ve uncovered.

My understanding is that a legal magazine for that shotgun would be one where it will not accept a sixth 3.5” cartridge (the cartridge it was designed for), making the number of shorter shells can fit irrelevant, and I could legally fill it with any amount that fits.
​

And answer (key bit bolded):

Thank you for your correspondence.

With one popular exception; all centerfire, semi-automatic long guns have a magazine restriction of five shots even if you are using a shorter shell. Five shots plus one in the chamber exceeds the five shots restriction. This includes both shotguns and rifles. The exception to this rule is the M1 Garand, which has an eight shot magazine. This exception is due to the internal, top-fed magazine in the M1. It would not be feasible to require this magazine be pinned, so an exception was created. Firearms that have a magazine capacity greater than five rounds must have their magazine pinned or altered to only allow five rounds (again with one exception, the M1 Garand).

This five shot restriction does not include pump, lever or bolt action firearms. It also does not include rimfire ammunition.

Rimfire ammunition, for the most part, is more commonly known as 22 LR, 22 MAG and 17 HMR. There is no restriction on the number of shots a firearm can have in these three caliber's.

If you have further questions, please contact our office at 1 800 731-4000.

Sincerely
Name

RCMP | GRC
Canadian Firearms Program | Programme canadien des armes à feu
FSD Communications | Communications du PSMAF​

I was surprised at this response, given how common the practice of using shorter shells to increase capacity is...

Just thought I'd share.
 
I've heard some stories about even some nwest guys that don't know crap about guns or gun laws. Asking for an interpretation from the rcmp is just asking for more confusion. The criminal code says one thing, it's pretty black and white.
 
Ahhh so the Troy PAR (pump action rifle) a 223 or 308 version means I could theoretically have a 30 round capacity and not be a ‘prohibited’ device). I am referring to the magazine, as I think these accept a wide variety of manufacturers..

Any thoughts.
 
peterem said:
Ahhh so the Troy PAR (pump action rifle) a 223 or 308 version means I could theoretically have a 30 round capacity and not be a ‘prohibited’ device). I am referring to the magazine, as I think these accept a wide variety of manufacturers..

Any thoughts.
Click to expand...

No. The par uses Ar mags. 5 rds, or 10 rd pistol mags. If the mags were proprietary to the PAR they would be ok, but they are not. They ship with an Ar mag pinned at 5.
 
I remember it boiling down to,
although the chamber will accept 3.5", or shorter shells, the magazine is designed to fit 12 guage diameter shells, period.
Because a tubular magazine's capacity is strictly measured in length, it cannot be compared to a box magazine that may accept shells of a different diameter, thus increasing its legal capacity without modification.
 
Well my Benelli M4 12 gauge is 5.9 X 3 inch shells. I use 6 X 2.75 shells + one in chamber and one on the carrier plate for a total of 8 legally.
 
Orbit wrong I felt slighted by the last notification I got in my email to this thread haha, Jesus I thought I was getting insulted, just a different conversation ahah
 
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