Question about short shotguns.

J

JD Powell

New member
How do the Super Comanche, the Judge, and other .45/.410 pistols get around the 18" barrel restriction without requiring a tax stamp. Reason being, I would like to make my own version of the S.C. But in cheaper to feed 20ga.

This gun would never leave the farm so I am not worried about carrying it anywhere. just a fun little Snake/Rabbit/Rabid dog gun that fits in my tool box.

Back when I was a teen I had an old Victor Plain 12ga single that I Shortened to 13" overall with a 7.5" barrel. It was a bit ridiculous. But it fit in the pocket of a duster, and under the seat of my dirtbike. It would harvest anything you could get close to, and put down any threat likely to arise in the countryside.

Now I would like to replace that with a 20 or 28 single or o/ou. 8-10" barrel. What are my options? Yes I know I could do all this with a ready made pistol, but I have a fondness for rescuing badly bubba'd or neglected shotguns. And it has to fit in a glovebox or toolbox with me but out of sight until needed.
 
Well, if a Federal Peace Officer catches you with it you'll do a bunch of time. The same with most local Officers. Off hand I can't think of a handgun you could convert. You could ask ATF?
 
Handguns have different rules than shotguns. It's unlawful to convert a rifle/shotgun into a handgun -- it has to start life as a handgun. You're lucky you didn't have a Ruby Ridge incident with your modified Victor.
 
JD Powell said:
How do the Super Comanche, the Judge, and other .45/.410 pistols get around the 18" barrel restriction without requiring a tax stamp. Reason being, I would like to make my own version of the S.C. But in cheaper to feed 20ga.
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By having rifled barrels and the ability to chamber and shoot a bonafide pistol round. They are technically .45 Colt pistols that just happen to be able to chamber and shoot .410 shotshells.
As far as I know, rifling the barrel of a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun does not turn it into a legal rifle.
If your willing to mess with black powder, the Howdah pistol may be right up your ally. Since it's a muzzleloader, it's legal.
 
rifled barrels get around the law, because they are 45 Colt weapons that just so happen to chamber 410

SBS guns are NFA items - pay the $200 stamp and have at it - do it without the stamp, it is a Federal crime - 10 years in Federal prison and no guns again, ever
 
Why don't you just buy a Serbu Shorty? It's made by a licensed manufacturer in Tampa and only requires a $5 tax stamp as an AOW (Any Other Weapon)

www.serbu.com
 

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They are under .50 cal and have rifled bores. They are technically handguns, not shotguns.

20 gauge is about .615 cal, so you are out of luck.

You would need to register such a shotgun as an SBS since you'd have to cut it down from a larger gun.

28 gauge is about .55 cal, so it would have to be registered as an SBS as well.

It might be possible to register such a shotgun as an AOW, but I'm now aware of any suitable shotguns in those gauges.
 
Any shotgun that has never had a shoulder stock-like the Mossberg "Cruiser," can be converted to AOW status, but it still costs an individual the $200 tax. If the gun were to be sold later, the tax would be $200.
 
JD Powell

We have a NFA (national firearms Act) forum right next to our shotgun forum. You will find lots of information about what you propose to do. Understand that the federal government does not restrict you from SBR/SBS class of weapons THE STATE you live in may. Do your research find out what your state will and wont allow you to possess and jump through ALL of the hoops.

Good Luck & Be Safe
 
In your shoes, I'd skip the hassle.

Just get a well used but solid NEF/H&R 20 gauge and cut the barrel to a little past 18". Cut the stock short, skeletonize and add a good pad. OA length should be at least 26" to keep the Feds off your case.

Voila! A sub 5 lb utility gun that carries well, kicks like the proverbial mule and will last a very long time.

And as hassle free as any firearm can get.....
 
Dang, figgered as much.

I do not think any firearm is worth time in prison. So I will not be making any modifications unless they are legal. Thanks for the info on the NFA thread, I'll start reading there.
Appreciate the link to the serbu shorty, but to me that thing is completely ridiculous. It's also about twice the size of what I'm going for, and way beyond my budget.
The muzzle loader just wont work for me too much extra crap. I need to keep it simple. A handfull of different shells and a stick that makes them go bang.
Practical stay outta jail options are looking like a properly cut down o/u or single. Taken apart they fit in a small enough box. Out here I'm not likely to need it any faster than I can snap one together.
I may try a .45/.410 if I find a good enough deal somewhere. Anybody have any hunting experience with these? What size critters can this combo handle and @ what ranges? Off hand I doubt if It would take a rabbit @ more than 15yards. The .45lc might handle dogs a little farther out, 25 yards or so?
 
do not think any firearm is worth time in prison.
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, nor do I!

Sounds like you have the tools to get you started, SBS's are a ageless tool for me. There are many liabilities to them, when you get a handle on what you can do and what you want if you would like shoot me a PM and I will be happy to discuss the goods and bads of this tool.

Good Luck on your project.
 
I'm currently in the planning stage of a 28ga 14" Contender barrel. It's going to cost a fortune, be mostly useless, and more fun than I should ever be allowed to have.
 
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