Shotgun barrel length ?
- Thread starter kubato71
- Start date
AZGunLover
New member
keegster is correct....18inches
silicon wolverine
New member
18 in is correct but if i were chopping a barrel id be sure to measure from the front of the chmaber to the muzzle and not overall. If i remember my SG ballistics correctly a 20" barrel is the best overall performer for shorties. anyhting past that hurts your pattern. That being said, i own a 870 MM with a 18.5 inch and for under 30 yards its devastating
SW
SW
Dfariswheel
New member
To be clear, the minimum Federal length is 18" inches.
The overall length of the entire gun must be at least 26" inches.
NOTE, That some local areas may differ. Check your State and local regulations.
To measure, close the action and insert a cleaning rod or dowel down the bore until it touches the breech face.
Mark the rod even with the muzzle.
Remove the rod and measure it.
This is the actual barrel length.
The overall length of the entire gun must be at least 26" inches.
NOTE, That some local areas may differ. Check your State and local regulations.
To measure, close the action and insert a cleaning rod or dowel down the bore until it touches the breech face.
Mark the rod even with the muzzle.
Remove the rod and measure it.
This is the actual barrel length.
GlocksRfun
New member
What he said, I concur
Hkmp5sd has it right.
The shortest length I know of is 6.5 inches.
http://www.serbu.com/shorty.htm
Some of the above answers are incorrect.
They list dimensions for shotguns that are not considered NFA weapons. Shotguns shorter than those dimensions are absolutely positively perfectly legal according to federal law. There isn't a loophole. This isn't a trick question. This isn't some tongue in cheek answer.
The question was "Does anyone know the shortest length of barrel you can have on a shotgun?"
Yes, there is no minimum length according to federal law. Your local and state laws may vary.
A shotgun shorter than the dimensions given above while perfectly legal, require a federal tax stamp which in no way, shape, or form makes it illegal.
I own a shotgun shorter than dimensions given above and am not a criminal. In fact, I have a piece of paper sent to me by an agent of the federal government giving me permission to own it. I am getting ready to buy another one (the one linked in this post) and it is also perfectly legal. If I am wrong, then I must be a criminal, right ?
In my opinion, the firearms laws in this country are far too strict. I personally believe that we should not have laws limiting our right to own, or use any firearm we desire: but that isn't the case. We do have laws limiting our rights. What we don't need to do is make up laws that are more strict than those already on the books. There is no federal law saying we can't have a shotgun barrel shorter than 18", so why make one up ? In fact, the exact opposite is true. Federal law specifically says we CAN own shotguns with barrels less than 18" and shorter than 26" OAL: and they tell us exactly what is required to own such a shotgun. I enjoy and exercise my rights as an American to buy legal firearms.
The shortest length I know of is 6.5 inches.
http://www.serbu.com/shorty.htm
Some of the above answers are incorrect.
They list dimensions for shotguns that are not considered NFA weapons. Shotguns shorter than those dimensions are absolutely positively perfectly legal according to federal law. There isn't a loophole. This isn't a trick question. This isn't some tongue in cheek answer.
The question was "Does anyone know the shortest length of barrel you can have on a shotgun?"
Yes, there is no minimum length according to federal law. Your local and state laws may vary.
A shotgun shorter than the dimensions given above while perfectly legal, require a federal tax stamp which in no way, shape, or form makes it illegal.
I own a shotgun shorter than dimensions given above and am not a criminal. In fact, I have a piece of paper sent to me by an agent of the federal government giving me permission to own it. I am getting ready to buy another one (the one linked in this post) and it is also perfectly legal. If I am wrong, then I must be a criminal, right ?
In my opinion, the firearms laws in this country are far too strict. I personally believe that we should not have laws limiting our right to own, or use any firearm we desire: but that isn't the case. We do have laws limiting our rights. What we don't need to do is make up laws that are more strict than those already on the books. There is no federal law saying we can't have a shotgun barrel shorter than 18", so why make one up ? In fact, the exact opposite is true. Federal law specifically says we CAN own shotguns with barrels less than 18" and shorter than 26" OAL: and they tell us exactly what is required to own such a shotgun. I enjoy and exercise my rights as an American to buy legal firearms.
Last edited:
AZGunLover
New member
well 444 i guess technically u are correct...sorry for my post
I like NFA weapons and try to encourage people to take advantage of the fact that they are perfectly legal. Almost every day a thread starts up at one of the on-line forums I frequent trying to tell people that they are illegal. It has become a very common misconception. For some reason people just don't want to admit that owning machine guns, suppressors, short barreled rifle and shotguns etc. are something a lot of us can do in this country. And ATF has no problem with it at all. In fact, when I have talked to them about NFA ownership in person and on the phone they were very nice and were very helpful.
Not to beat a dead horse, but even in this case it is said, I am "technically" right. People can't just embrace the fact that it is perfectly legal to own a shotgun of any barrel length you want. It isn't some gimmick. In these discussions the next step will be for someone to quickly post that while it may be legal where I live to own such a shotgun, it isn't legal everywhere due to state or local laws. Again, they can't wait to prove me wrong. Finally if I back them into a corner they will say, OK it's legal but so expensive it might as well be illegal.
It just can't be admitted that there is nothing illegal about it. It is a right that the federal govenment has not taken away. You can take advantage of it or not. Come on people. This stuff is fun. Enjoy.
Not to beat a dead horse, but even in this case it is said, I am "technically" right. People can't just embrace the fact that it is perfectly legal to own a shotgun of any barrel length you want. It isn't some gimmick. In these discussions the next step will be for someone to quickly post that while it may be legal where I live to own such a shotgun, it isn't legal everywhere due to state or local laws. Again, they can't wait to prove me wrong. Finally if I back them into a corner they will say, OK it's legal but so expensive it might as well be illegal.
It just can't be admitted that there is nothing illegal about it. It is a right that the federal govenment has not taken away. You can take advantage of it or not. Come on people. This stuff is fun. Enjoy.