remanufacture / shorten AR barrel?

cslater

cslater

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Hello,

I have a Colt Canada IUR and would like a shorter barrel than the stock 15.7", something around 10.5" or whatever has the flash hider protrude just past the receiver.

I contacted a store in Calgary but they said the only option is to remove the Colt barrel and replace it with a new shorter barrel. I would prefer to use the Colt barrel if possible as they are the best AR barrel out there (IMHO).

I was wondering if it is possible if a Canadian based company can "remanufacture" the Colt barrel to a shorter length and then reinstall?

Thanks for your time.
Chris
 
I doubt you'll find anyone willing to do it. I'm sure this will start an impassioned argument, but the law is not entirely clear what happens if a barrel that is already shorter than 18.5 inches is shortened again. You're also going to find that there is debate about some of the specifics as well. Is it illegal to recrown a short barrel, and reduce the length by .005"? Is cutting .005" the same as cutting 5"? Is there any way to prove that a barrel has been shortened?
 
Just be patient barrels will be made available through CC. It may take a few years. But in the meantime if you want a short barrelled rifle. Get the best thing in short ARs and go for an HK MR223 11 rifle. Best barrels in the world. Where do think diemaco got the idea from.
 
Definitely illegal to shorten the barrel on a restricted rifle. As stupid as it is it's perfectly legal to remove that barrel and replace it with a shorter one but not shorten the one you have.
Also, supposedly Colt did extensive testing and found that 15.7" is the best accuracy/velocity compromise.
Sell it and buy another one.
 
Hi everyone, thanks for all the replies. You were spot on, it is illegal to shorten the barrel. Somewhat on the hunt for a reasonably priced 10.5", anyone have any suggestions?

Chris
 
It's funny... If i recall correctly, back in tha day (15-20 years ago) there was some 'understanding' that it was perfectly fine to shorten a barrel on an already restricted rifle. I believe gunsmiths did it all the time. There were very few short barrel options for AR's - basically 20" or 16" from the US, so shorty factory barrel options will almost nil.

All that said, it's pretty clear (as it probably SHOULD have been back then) is that it's illegal to shorten a barrel to less than 18".
 
canucklehead said:
It's funny... If i recall correctly, back in tha day (15-20 years ago) there was some 'understanding' that it was perfectly fine to shorten a barrel on an already restricted rifle. I believe gunsmiths did it all the time. There were very few short barrel options for AR's - basically 20" or 16" from the US, so shorty factory barrel options will almost nil.

All that said, it's pretty clear (as it probably SHOULD have been back then) is that it's illegal to shorten a barrel to less than 18".
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter what was legal 15-20 years ago and it's actually 18.5 inches and that only applies to semi automatic centerfire rifles. Centerfire rifles that the action must be manually cycled have different rules.
All of that is completely irrelevant in this thread as the OP asked specifically about an AR barrel and all that matters is that it is illegal to shorten the barrel of a restricted rifle but it is legal to replace it with a shorter barrel.
 
It's not as easy to shorten a barrel because depending on gas system the original dwell time is altered adversely affecting performance. Get the proper length from the get go. As for the OP changing a colt barrel length removes all of the benefits you are originally set on.
 
I also thought if the gunsmith also had an license or ability to manufacture a barrel that the could shorten it. For arguments sake, barrel never installed, gets shortened from 16 inches to 10 inches by a properly vetted gunsmith. Is it a manufacture of a barrel or is it considered cutting down the barrel.
For your debate gentleman.
R711
 
R711 said:
I also thought if the gunsmith also had an license or ability to manufacture a barrel that the could shorten it. For arguments sake, barrel never installed, gets shortened from 16 inches to 10 inches by a properly vetted gunsmith. Is it a manufacture of a barrel or is it considered cutting down the barrel.
For your debate gentleman.
R711
Click to expand...

I would probably bet the RCMP considers it "Finished" and therefor would be a cut down barrel. I would think as soon as the barrel is in fireable condition (Like the finishing reaming has been done, or the barrel extension on an AR barrel is installed) it's considered a complete barrel.

Unfortunately the RCMP have the 'vague' terminology on their side, nothing to dictate what construes a "finished" barrel... Or what happens to the people that had cut down rifle barrels BEFORE that legislation took effect... Realistically? They would probably never prosecute someone for JUST a cut down barrel, it would likely be used as a bargaining chip with a whole ton of other charges that may or may not be plead away to get a conviction... (Think: sawn-off shotgun used in a store robbery)

With that said; the legal repercussions are not worth the risk.... As well the other points are very valid that there are many more issues that can arise from cutting a barrel down (including bore/barrel concentricity, and gas port sizing). And that you could easily sell a C.C. barrel to help finance a new shorter barrel.

ETA

cr5 said:
It doesn't matter what was legal 15-20 years ago and it's actually 18.5 inches and that only applies to semi automatic centerfire rifles. Centerfire rifles that the action must be manually cycled have different rules.
All of that is completely irrelevant in this thread as the OP asked specifically about an AR barrel and all that matters is that it is illegal to shorten the barrel of a restricted rifle but it is legal to replace it with a shorter barrel.
Click to expand...

Actually a quick little correction, the guy you quoted is correct. You can legally shorten a Non-restricted semi-automatic firearms' barrel to 18" or 457mm, HOWEVER you MUST reclassify it to Restricted status and have the necessary license for it! They make no distinction between semi-auto and manual actions:

rifles and shotguns that have been altered by sawing or other means so that their barrel length is less than 457 mm or their overall length is less than 660 mm
Click to expand...
 
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Legal issues aside, let's not forget for a moment that the barrel is chrome lined.
There is the potential to chip the chrome lining where the muzzle will be finished causing accuracy issues.
 
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