Minimum barrel lenght for shotgun.

mayhem#

Can anyone here tell me what the minimum barrel lenght for a 12 gauge pump-action shotgun is?
Also is this the lenght that the barrel extends from the fore-end or the actual total lenght of the barrel?

fat-tony

In the context of the restricted list, a shotgun barrel must be not less than 24" (60.9cm). Any shorter than this and it's a restricted firearm. Any repeating shotgun must be incapable of being loaded with more than three cartridges, otherwise it's restricted.

The firearms acts state that the shotgun barrel must be not less than 61cm, but the restricted SI is more precise.

There is no definition in the acts as to how to measure barrel length but one would imagine that it's from the chamber to the muzzle (including any choke). Anyone else got a definition?

Mellor

fat-tony wrote: »

In the context of the restricted list, a shotgun barrel must be not less than 24" (60.9cm). Any shorter than this and it's a restricted firearm. Any repeating shotgun must be incapable of being loaded with more than three cartridges, otherwise it's restricted.

The firearms acts state that the shotgun barrel must be not less than 61cm, but the restricted SI is more precise.

There was debate about the length issue 24" verses 61cm (pre-restricted list). To be honest, I don't think there is any point making a an issue out of it. 24" in to nearest CM is 61. Thats why it was used, there is little point going much lower than that as the variation on a shotgun after a few shots (it gets longer) will affect it.

There is no definition in the acts as to how to measure barrel length but one would imagine that it's from the chamber to the muzzle (including any choke). Anyone else got a definition?
I imagine the the length of the barrell piece. As in if you measure it when the gun was broken or separated. (in relation to DB shotguns

Bare in mind that restricted doesn't mean illegal.
And that the over all length being below a set length (I think 60 inches) could mean the firarm was classed along with pistols. Cat A-D etc (this is the EU reg where most of the restricted list was lifted from)

meathstevie

I suppose for lenght specification you can quote the manufacturers description. If for example Beretta states that a gun has a 30" barrell nobody is going to bring you to court when the actual measurement is more like 29.997".

rrpc

Mellor wrote: »

Bare in mind that restricted doesn't mean illegal.
And that the over all length being below a set length (I think 60 inches) could mean the firarm was classed along with pistols. Cat A-D etc (this is the EU reg where most of the restricted list was lifted from)

It's 60cm. 60 inches is five feet . Some pistol you got there boy...

Grizzly 45

fat-tony wrote: »

There is no definition in the acts as to how to measure barrel length but one would imagine that it's from the chamber to the muzzle (including any choke). Anyone else got a definition?

Standard method is from the breech face to muzzle including any permantly attached muzzle device.

Mellor

rrpc wrote: »

It's 60cm. 60 inches is five feet . Some pistol you got there boy...

You think that going to the trouble to make it bold I would of paid attention, but no

mayhem#

So less than 60 cm will NEVER be allowed?

kowloon

mayhem# wrote: »

So less than 60 cm will NEVER be allowed?

In theory, if you could make an argument for something shorter, you could be allowed.

BornToKill

I don't think that's right. If it doesn't fall into non-restricted or restricted then it's hard to see how it could be licensed; there is no licensing route provided. A barrell under 60.9cm is heading towards sawn-off territory.

fat-tony

The Firearms Acts are quite specific about the minimum length of a shotgun barrel so you would definitely be in "sawn-off" territory.

I've clipped a couple of relevant sections:

12A.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who shortens the barrel of—
(a) a shot-gun to a length of less than 61 centimetres, or
(b) a rifle to a length of less than 50 centimetres, is guilty of an offence.
(2) It is not an offence under subsection (1) for a registered firearms dealer to shorten the barrel of a shot-gun or rifle to a length of less than 61 or 50 centimetres respectively if the sole purpose of doing so is to replace a defective part of the barrel with a barrel of not less than 61 or 50 centimetres, as the case may be. ........

.... (6) It is an offence for a person (except a registered firearms dealer) to possess without lawful authority or reasonable excuse—
(a) a shot-gun the barrel of which is less than 61 centimetres in length, ..........