claypop Posted May 13, 2007 Report Share Posted May 13, 2007 Could anyone answer the following. If I added a top folding stock as made by Advanced Technology USA & as sold on eBay US to a Mossberg 500, would that make the total length of the gun 40" or above (if the M500 had a barrel of 28")?? As I have not yet bought the Mossberg I can't say what the receiver length is but I want to get the stock before I get the gun (as it's from the US) & if the length would be under legal I'd opt for a more regular synthetic stock...any advice? Sorry (new here) appear to have this in wrong topic - Mod please move as you see fit (!) sorry.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duster Posted May 14, 2007 Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Not sure what the overall length would be, difficult to say from the dimensions you have provided. Assuming you are in the UK, it is illegal to have a shotgun with a folding stock............bear that in mind. Duster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claypop Posted May 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2007 Ok thanks. I did not know that - I did not think folding stocks were illegal - only if they made your total length under 40". Will try to find out more info. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Not sure what the overall length would be, difficult to say from the dimensions you have provided.Assuming you are in the UK, it is illegal to have a shotgun with a folding stock............bear that in mind. Duster Surely it cant be, the number of folding .410 poacher's guns out in circulation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 As far as I am aware there is a minimum barell length of 24"; and a minimum overall length of 40" webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 From the firearms act: "any detachable, folding, retractable or other movable butt-stock shall be disregarded in measuring the length of any firearm" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naddan28 Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 From the firearms act: "any detachable, folding, retractable or other movable butt-stock shall be disregarded in measuring the length of any firearm" The way I would read that the they ignore the folding feature/retractable feature when measuring the firearm and measure it at its full length. As if not reading that adjustable combs would be illegal too, alongside spacer's to adjust stock length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claypop Posted May 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 From the firearms act: "any detachable, folding, retractable or other movable butt-stock shall be disregarded in measuring the length of any firearm" The way I would read that the they ignore the folding feature/retractable feature when measuring the firearm and measure it at its full length. As if not reading that adjustable combs would be illegal too, alongside spacer's to adjust stock length. Ah, so if you have a folding-type stock they treat it as if it was not there thus measuring the barrel & receiver 28 barrel x 12 receiver would be ok - what about c-lect chokes on the Moss - this adds length - wondered if they would treat it as part of the overall? Reason for asking is I have found fixed stocks in a landy for example esp on a bumpy field to be a pain within the vehicle's confines - much better a folding stock which locks to full when needed - or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 I read it that any part of the gun that was removable or folding etc wasn't to be included in the overall length, so the remaining part of the gun must be 40". It says you disregard the removable folding part, not disregard the fact that it is removable/folding. That said, I've seen folding hushpowers around, are they over 40"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claypop Posted May 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Seems a bit of a grey area mefinks - don't suppose there'll be a problem if I bough one via evilbay USA & import it to the UK, so long as I don' fit it. So if I remove the butt of my o/u indoors I,m breaking the law until I refit it again.....or only if I take it outdoors - confuzed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duster Posted May 16, 2007 Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Claypop, I am pretty sure you would be OK to remove the stock of your O/U for maintenance or repair, or indeed any other sensible reason. Chokes would not affect the overall length of the gun - they are not a permanent fixture of the weapon, so will not contribute to overall length. A .410 folding shotgun, Hushpower or otherwise, does NOT constitute a folding stock. The gun folds around the barrel hinge pin, the stock staying fixed to the rear of the action. When measuring the overall length of a shotgun, it would be measured from the muzzle to the end of the stock, with the exception of a fixed or retractable stock, which would not contribute to the weapons overall length. This would mean that in the case of a pump-action or self-loader fitted with a folding stock, the gun would be measured from the muzzle to the end of the receiver. Even with a 30" barrel fitted this would barely make 40". Folding/retractable stocks make a shotgun easy to conceal - which is why they are not permitted. If you don't beleive me, phone your FEO, or call into your local RFD and ask him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claypop Posted May 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2007 Yes that all makes sense - prob why Hatsan make the Escort folding stocks but don't sell them in the UK. I did think the mossberg's c-lect chokes were not removable, maybe some one could confirm but as you say thet would still not make the 40" - funny old law as even a SPAS12 with a 20" barrel would hardly be concealed easily let alone a Moss pump with a 28" barrel (unless one is 7' tall, lol.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.