Shotgun Barrel Length FAQ's

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xj Darrell

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These questions get asked often on CGN so here are some FAQ’s regarding shotgun barrel lengths:

Q: What is the shortest legal barrel length? (non-restricted)

A: If it is a manually operated shotgun (i.e. single shot, pump action, bolt action...) 18 inches is the shortest legal length it can be modified to. If the shotgun is a semi-automatic then 18.5 inches is the shortest barrel that will keep the firearm's non-restricted classification.

*note: If a manually operated shotgun came from the factory with a shorter barrel or if it is a commercially manufactured aftermarket barrel then there are no legal length restrictions and will still be considered non-restricted.

Q: What is the shortest OAL of a shotgun? (non-restricted)

A: 660mm or 26 inches.

Q: If I shorten my stock or barrel will it change the non-restricted classification of my firearm?

A: Not if you follow the the regulations.

*Manually operated shotguns must be over 26” in length and the barrel must be 18” or longer.
*Semi-automatic shotguns must be over 26” in length and the barrel must be 18.5” or longer.

Q: Can I shorten my own barrel or does it have to be sent to a gunsmith?

A: You can shorten your own barrel.

Q: If I shorten my own barrel what will happen to the choke?

A: There will be no choke. To understand the effects of a cylinder bore the firearm must be patterned.

Q: Do I need to report the changes I have made to the CFC?

A: You must notify the CFC if the changes you have made affect the classification of firearm - however it is always in your best interest to have the proper paperwork (barrel length & OAL) to match the firearm.

Q: I have seen non-restricted firearms that are shorter than what you have listed.

A: Firearm importers/retailers can apply for non-restricted classification of shorter firearms.





Here is some more info regarding barrel lengths and firearm classification:
*note: I have edited this information so as to only include information pertaining to shotguns.

CLASSES OF FIREARMS

PROHIBITED FIREARMS
Prohibited firearms are:
*full-automatic firearms
*sawed-off rifles or shotguns with barrel length less than 457mm (18 inches); this does not apply to firearms manufactured with short barrels
*sawed-off rifles or shotguns with overall length less than 660mm (26 inches); this does not apply to firearms manufactured with short stocks or short barrels

RESTRICTED FIREARMS

Restricted firearms are:
*semi-automatic centerfire firearms with a barrel length less than 470mm (18.5 inches) which are not prohibited
*firearms, which can be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660mm (26 inches) by folding/telescoping/etc., which are not prohibited

NON-RESTRICTED FIREARMS

Non-restricted firearms are:
*shotguns and rifles which are not restricted or prohibited


From the NFA's website:

If the barrel of any shotgun is cut to less than 18" by an individual or a gunsmith, that converts the firearm to "prohibited firearm" status. So does substituting a short barrel less than 18" long.
If the barrel of a manually-operated shotgun left the factory (either the original factory or a re-manufacturing factory) at a shorter length, that does not convert the shotgun to "prohibited" or "restricted status". It remains non-restricted.
If the shotgun is semi- automatic, shortening the barrel to less than 18.5", or substituting a barrel less than 18.5" long will make it a "restricted firearm." Shortening it to less than 18" or substituting a barrel less than 18" long will make it a "prohibited firearm." Replacing the barrel with one 18.5" long will put it back into the non-restricted class.
(Source: NFA)

I hope this information helps clear up some of the confusion surrounding shotgun barrel length and firearm classification.

- Darrell
 
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Good idea, except I would say that the answer to #1 should be that manual actions have NO length limitations as long as it is a factory barrel or manufactured at the shorter length. The 18" number comes into play only if the barrel length is modified.

Mark
 
what would happen if I cut the barrel on my 870 to 18 inches, then bought a pistol grip. Would that make it a prohibited since it is under 26 inches overal, or would that be allowed since it is a manufactured stock? or is that kind of a loophole?
 
blueflash said:
what would happen if I cut the barrel on my 870 to 18 inches, then bought a pistol grip. Would that make it a prohibited since it is under 26 inches overal, or would that be allowed since it is a manufactured stock? or is that kind of a loophole?
Click to expand...



Your overall length (if under 26) would make it a prohib....dosen't matter if the pistol grip was factory it is the fact that you cut down the barrel yourself or had a smith do it, dropping the oal.

With the original butt on it you can cut the barrel on it to 18in as the oal would be over 26in still.

Now if you buy a 18in factory barrel, you'd be ok.....as how I understand it.
 
To blueflash:

RESTRICTED FIREARMS

Restricted firearms are:
*semi-automatic centerfire firearms with a barrel length less than 470mm (18.5 inches) which are not prohibited
*firearms, which can be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660mm (26 inches) by folding/telescoping/etc., which are not prohibited
Click to expand...

I would avoid any combination of barrel/stock that is less than 26" OAL - if you want to keep the non-restricted classification.
An exception would be if a firearms importer/retailer has successfully applied for the non-restricted classification of a shotgun measuring under 26" OAL.

If it is under 26" OAL and non-restricted from the factory then don't worry - if you are mixing and matching parts I would not go shorter than 26" OAL.
 
ABCZAR said:
Now if you buy a 18in factory barrel, you'd be ok.....as how I understand it.
Click to expand...

I think this is correct, because the tiny shorty shotguns sold by Blueline (site sponsor, look in the banners above) are not prohibited and are kind of stuck in a limbo between restricted and non-restricted because the pistol grips and short barrels are manufactured items, even though the OAL is way under 26".

Mark
 
^ Here is the info from Blueline:
"BL 6-1 shotgun, 6.5" barrel, 2+1 shots, comes with regular Remington stock attached, front grip and Hogue pistol grip on the side. Currently; regular stock=Non restricted, pistol grip=Restricted."
Click to expand...

Not a great idea to go shorter than 26" OAL as it will likely change the shotgun's classification to restricted.
Better to be prudent in situations like this.
 
blueflash said:
what would happen if I cut the barrel on my 870 to 18 inches, then bought a pistol grip. Would that make it a prohibited since it is under 26 inches overal, or would that be allowed since it is a manufactured stock? or is that kind of a loophole?
Click to expand...

You would be fine as you OAL would still be over 26"
 
xj Darrell said:
^ Here is the info from Blueline:


Not a great idea to go shorter than 26" OAL as it will likely change the shotgun's classification to restricted.
Better to be prudent in situations like this.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I know that someone from Blueline has said that they can't get a straight answer from the CFC on the restricted/non-restricted thing, so maybe they have defaulted to restricted to be on the safe side.

Mark
 
.22 semi affected ?

Can someone point me in the direction where I can be certain as to how these length rules apply to a 10/22. Can I put a 12" barrel on it with a folding stock which will fire in the folded position and is less than 26" overall and still be non restricted. I can't seem to find mention as it applies to .22 caliber as opposed to center fire.
 
MustangFrank said:
Can someone point me in the direction where I can be certain as to how these length rules apply to a 10/22. Can I put a 12" barrel on it with a folding stock which will fire in the folded position and is less than 26" overall and still be non restricted. I can't seem to find mention as it applies to .22 caliber as opposed to center fire.
Click to expand...

The above rules apply only to centerfire long guns. Rimfire is the same as manual action centerfire, any barrel length with OAL over 26" for non-restricted. Barrels less than 18" must be manufactured at that length, same as the centerfire ones. You can cut a factory barrel to 18" minimum, also.

Mark
 
mmattockx said:
I think this is correct, because the tiny shorty shotguns sold by Blueline (site sponsor, look in the banners above) are not prohibited and are kind of stuck in a limbo between restricted and non-restricted because the pistol grips and short barrels are manufactured items, even though the OAL is way under 26".

Mark
Click to expand...

They are in limbo because they "may" be considered handguns. This section of the Rem 870 FRT notes, written by the RCMP, make this clear:

1) by combining a barrel from a licensed firearms manufacture that is less than 406mm (16.0") in length and a receiver/frame fitted with a pistol grip only, this firearm may be deemed a "handgun" and therefore "RESTRICTED" under the definition of "restricted firearm" in Part III/Firearms and Other Weapons of Section 84 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
- "handgun" means a firearm that is designed, altered or intended to be aimed and fired by the action of one hand, whether or not it has been redesigned or subsequently altered to be aimed and fired by the action of both hands.
Click to expand...

xj Darrell said:
To blueflash:

I would avoid any combination of barrel/stock that is less than 26" OAL - if you want to keep the non-restricted classification.
An exception would be if a firearms importer/retailer has successfully applied for the non-restricted classification of a shotgun measuring under 26" OAL.

If it is under 26" OAL and non-restricted from the factory then don't worry - if you are mixing and matching parts I would not go shorter than 26" OAL.
Click to expand...

In my opinion, swapping a full stock to a pistol grip is does not make a non-restricted shotgun prohibited, even if the change makes the shotgun under 26" OAL.

The RCMP has already ruled that swapping out an 18" barrel with a shorter one does not make the gun prohibited. Its illegal to cut or saw an installed firearms barrel, but changing barrels is legal.

This same logic should also apply to changing the overall length below 26". Cutting or sawing the stock makes the gun prohibited, but swapping a full stock with a pistol grip to make a shorter than 26" configuration is legal.

I believe the RCMP already realizes this, thus their last ditch attempt to categorize these shotguns as handguns (restricted). They will lose, there is no way a pump 12ga will fit the definition of handgun.
 
In my opinion, swapping a full stock to a pistol grip is does not make a non-restricted shotgun prohibited, even if the change makes the shotgun under 26" OAL.
Click to expand...

It wouldn't be prohibited it would be restricted

Can you back this up or find examples in the market place to help prove your point?
 
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