Shortening a barrel question...?

[frichtie]

Hi all,

I was looking to find a Ruger American Ranch rifle in .223/5.56. I like the idea of a shorter barrel.
I already own a American standard version in that caliber and it came to my mind that I could simply make it shorter(the barrel) and even add a flash-hider.
I have the opportunity to get it done professionally and I was not going to keep two Ruger American in .223 anyway...so instead of selling my standard version and buy a Ranch version, why not simply "create" my own so called "Ranch rifle"?
Any one done it ?

Eric

 

[hoytcanon]

It can be had in a 16.5" barrel already and a factory barrel cannot be cut down shorter than 18"... so just go with the factory 16.5".

 

[onetwentyish]

Legally you are not allowed to shorten a completed barrel below 18" without creating a prohibited device.

Start fresh and there is no barrel length law, only OAL on non semi-auto centerfires.

 

[emerson]

Buy the short one, sell the long one. I got my 375 shortened from 25 2/2” to 20”. Moving the front sight back if it has irons costs almost the same again. Short barrels are good for me. I had a 20” 338WM; liked that one too. I find many of the people who mock short barrels because they lose around 25fps/inch velocity are the same people who mock rifles bigger than 280 or 308 because “big guns=small man”, right? Or mock “long range shooters” and then cry about a rifle losing 100fps. My brother built a 15” 308, works great, but brake is loud.

 

[hoytcanon]

I have shortened dozens of barrels... just shortened this Ruger M77 Mark II .223 from 22" to 18.5" for hunting coyotes in the thickets;

 

[frichtie]

Thank you all, interesting answers.
I'm still thinking!

 

[hoytcanon]

Thank you all, interesting answers.
I'm still thinking!

This one should do;

 

[frichtie]

Thank you all.
I Will most probably buy a ranch and sell the standard American.
I like a better capacity magazine too !