Measuring the length of a barrel

[Casper]

How do I measure the length of a barrel on a single shot break action shot gun ?
Minimum length is 18 1/2" ???

Thanks.

 

[chalkriver]

Min length is 18 in barrel and 26 in overall ....18.5 is for semi auto centerfire.

 

[straightshooter]

Measure right from the breech face end of the barrel. With a break action, the barrel begins at the break point, where the barrel closes tight against the breech face. Do not include any doll's head or other rib extensions, if any.

 

[Casper]

Thanks guys,
I received a single shot, that had been cut to 20" and takes a 3" shell, that's why I asked.

 

[Blastattack]

Measure right from the breech face end of the barrel. With a break action, the barrel begins at the break point, where the barrel closes tight against the breech face. Do not include any doll's head or other rib extensions, if any.

Doll's head? Never seen that in a parts diagram.

 

[gunsaholic]

Doll's head? Never seen that in a parts diagram.

The doll's head is a kind of a round extension (resembling a doll's head) of the rib that sits into a recess in the action when the barrel is closed. A lot of guns do not have this and it's more common on vintage sxs's.
Best way to measure a barrel is with the action closed, drop a dowel rod down it till it hits the action. Mark the dowel rod at the muzzle, remove and measure.