Straight Answer? 18" or 18.5"?

Fultron

Fultron

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Hey guys,

I have an old Baikal break shotgun I'm interested in shortening myself but I cant seem to find a solid answer as to whether the legal limit is 18" or 18.5"

Despite searching the forums and the Firearms act I seem to get many different opinions and was wondering if I could get something solid from people more knowledgeable than myself.

From what I can gather on my own, anything above 18" is alright but 18.5" is recommended to be on the "safe side" so to speak. Just wondering if this is true.
 
As I understand things, 18" IS the shortest you can go on a break barrel shotgun. I you can measure well, I'd say there is little need to go much longer. BEFORE you cut, double-check that cutting does not reduce the overall length of the gun to less than 26". If the gun ends-up shorter than 26", it'll be restricted.
 
Once again I'm getting two answers :( One person saying 18", one saying 18.5".

The gun will definitely be longer than 26 inches if I cut the barrel to 18 1/8". Does this mean it is still non-restricted considering its a single shot break?
 
If your shorten the barrel yourself, 18.5 is the answer you're looking for. Shorter barrels are only legal if they are manufactured that way. Why it matters to the gun cops who holds the hacksaw is a mystery, but there it is. If you do the work yourself, play it safe and cut the barrel at 19" so you have room to square the muzzle and finish the crown without ending up short.
 
In the firearms act it says shotguns are measured from the breech face and include the chamber in their barrel length. Thats where I intend to measure from.
 
Just remember the cfo's tape measure will have alittle extra stretch to it ;) they measured a shotgun i cut down and for some reason their tape read 3/8 different lol go figure
 
The 18.5 rule is for semi-auto center fire not break or pump action. Shotguns have a min. overall length requirement. I will look it up and post.
 
All non-restricted shotguns must have an overall length of 660 mm (26 inches). Semi-automatic shotguns must also have a barrel length of more than 470 mm (18.5 inches) and have a capacity of 5 shells or less in the magazine to remain non-restricted. All other shotgun action types (pump/slide, break open, lever, bolt) do not have a magazine limit restriction or a minimum barrel length provided the overall length of the firearm remains more than 660 mm (26 inches) and the barrel was produced by an approved manufacturer. Shotgun barrels may only be reduced in length to a minimum of 457 mm (18 inches). Non-restricted shotguns may be possessed with any Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or Possession-Only License (POL) and may be transported throughout the country without special authorization and may be used for hunting certain species at certain times of the year.

Semi-automatic shotguns with a barrel length of less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) are considered restricted and any shotgun that has been altered so its barrel length is less than 457 mm (18 inches) or if its overall length is less than 660 mm (26 inches) is considered prohibited.[27] Restricted and prohibited shotguns may be possessed with a PAL or POL than has been endorsed for restricted or prohibited
 
Tick said:
All non-restricted shotguns must have an overall length of 660 mm (26 inches). Semi-automatic shotguns must also have a barrel length of more than 470 mm (18.5 inches) and have a capacity of 5 shells or less in the magazine to remain non-restricted. All other shotgun action types (pump/slide, break open, lever, bolt) do not have a magazine limit restriction or a minimum barrel length provided the overall length of the firearm remains more than 660 mm (26 inches) and the barrel was produced by an approved manufacturer. Shotgun barrels may only be reduced in length to a minimum of 457 mm (18 inches). Non-restricted shotguns may be possessed with any Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or Possession-Only License (POL) and may be transported throughout the country without special authorization and may be used for hunting certain species at certain times of the year.

Semi-automatic shotguns with a barrel length of less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) are considered restricted and any shotgun that has been altered so its barrel length is less than 457 mm (18 inches) or if its overall length is less than 660 mm (26 inches) is considered prohibited.[27] Restricted and prohibited shotguns may be possessed with a PAL or POL than has been endorsed for restricted or prohibited
Click to expand...

__________________

^^^^^
You Sir may take a prize from the top shelf.
 
Tick said:
All non-restricted shotguns must have an overall length of 660 mm (26 inches). Semi-automatic shotguns must also have a barrel length of more than 470 mm (18.5 inches) and have a capacity of 5 shells or less in the magazine to remain non-restricted. All other shotgun action types (pump/slide, break open, lever, bolt) do not have a magazine limit restriction or a minimum barrel length provided the overall length of the firearm remains more than 660 mm (26 inches) and the barrel was produced by an approved manufacturer. Shotgun barrels may only be reduced in length to a minimum of 457 mm (18 inches). Non-restricted shotguns may be possessed with any Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or Possession-Only License (POL) and may be transported throughout the country without special authorization and may be used for hunting certain species at certain times of the year.

Semi-automatic shotguns with a barrel length of less than 470 mm (18.5 inches) are considered restricted and any shotgun that has been altered so its barrel length is less than 457 mm (18 inches) or if its overall length is less than 660 mm (26 inches) is considered prohibited.[27] Restricted and prohibited shotguns may be possessed with a PAL or POL than has been endorsed for restricted or prohibited
Click to expand...


Correct ...I cut my single shot barrel down to 18.25 ;)
If you want to replace the bead draw a pencil line from the old one down the center of the barrel so you can line up the location for the new one.
 
chalkriver said:
Correct ...I cut my single shot barrel down to 18.25 ;)
If you want to replace the bead draw a pencil line from the old one down the center of the barrel so you can line up the location for the new one.
Click to expand...

Always a good idea to allow a bit extra for finishing.
Locating the position of the front sight bead before cutting is an excellent idea.
 
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