casts_by_fly Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hi All, In the states a rifle has to have a 16.25" barrel or longer. Otherwise it is classed as a short barrel rifle. Is there a restriction here and what is it? Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 12" I reckon Prohibited Weapons " any firearm which either has a barrel less than 30cm in length or is less than 60cm in length overall" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McArthur Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 16.25? I thought it was 16 even? Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 hi jim, I thought it was 16.25. Maybe that is just what people make their barrels to be sure they are over the limit. Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 300mm in the UK. Overall length of gun must be 600mm or more. For shotgun barrel must be 24" (609.6mm). For semi and pump overall must be 40" (1016mm) or more. Why they use mm and inches I don't know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hi guys, You've got me thinking now. With my encore, I could put a 12-14" barrel on it here in the UK with a rifle stock. Then when I go back to the states I can put a pistol grip on it and have a hunting pistol. So long as I don't have the pistol grip here and don't assemble it with a rifle stock there I'm fine. Thanks Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hi guys, You've got me thinking now. With my encore, I could put a 12-14" barrel on it here in the UK with a rifle stock. Then when I go back to the states I can put a pistol grip on it and have a hunting pistol. So long as I don't have the pistol grip here and don't assemble it with a rifle stock there I'm fine. Thanks Rick You may have the pistol grip here as long as you keep the overall length greater than 600mm. Weld some metal rod onto it sticking out and you are legal See how they do it for 'rifles' http://www.rimfiremagic.co.uk/lb_revolvers.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 so the handgun law only bans 'handguns' if they have a barrel under 300 mm or an overall length under 600 mm? Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Sam Posted January 25, 2008 Report Share Posted January 25, 2008 so the handgun law only bans 'handguns' if they have a barrel under 300 mm or an overall length under 600 mm? Thanks, Rick In a nutshell, yes. Weapons under the set limits are prohibited. So handguns are not illegal, just prohibited. That means that you cannot buy one without Section 5 authorisation, like these chaps: http://www.helstongunsmiths.com/fr_mil-1.html But the only semi allowed is .22RF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Scholl Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 16.25? I thought it was 16 even? Jim Yeah, it's 16 even for rifles and 18 inches for shotguns. But most people's barrels are a little longer just in case the cops yard stick is a little different from yours. You can go shorter, but first you have to get a license from the ATF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim McArthur Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 hi jim, I thought it was 16.25. Maybe that is just what people make their barrels to be sure they are over the limit. Thanks, Rick You're probably right there, Rick. Here in the States, short-barrelled rifles don't seem to interest anyone. But "sawed-off" shotguns: that's a 'nother breed of cat! Legal minimum length (without special federal permits etc. being required) for shotguns is 18", and most short-barrelled ones are in fact 18 1/2: for precisely the reason you mentioned. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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