Minimum Legal Barrel Length for Rifles

The length of the barrel is measured from the tip of the mout to the front of the closing surface, usually by inserting a gauge into the barrel. The barrel length may partially include a fixed muzzle accessory (for example, recoil compensator or lightning suppressor). The total length is measured between the outer ends of the weapon along a midline that runs through the center of the barrel. For rifles equipped with foldable or telescopic stock stock, such as the U.S. M1A1 carbine, U.S. federal guidelines state that the measurement is performed with the stock intended for use as an unfolded rifle. Some states — like California and Michigan — measure the total length with folded paper. [1] Keep in mind that if the barrel length is less than 16 inches, it is possible that the firearm is a short-barreled rifle (if you are building a rifle or if it is already on a rifle) and if the barrel length is less than 18 inches, it is possible that the firearm is a short-barreled shotgun (again, if you are building a shotgun or if it is already a shotgun). Both firearms would be subject to the National Firearms Act and would require proper registration of the firearm.

Keep your eyes peeled for a video on how to fill out a Form 1 in the future. What is the right shape to legally change my AK pistol to SBR? And if there are less than 26 inches is classified as SBR Is there a minimum length? For example, my century-old C39 arm has an 11 1/2-inch barrel Maybe with a custom M4 tube and stick, you get it lengthened by 30 inches. Or if I use a Micro Draco with a barrel of about 5 1/2 inches and a custom fixed shaft, I get it below 24 inches in total length. Thanks for the information. All of these 2nd Amendment violations will land a person in jail for a formality that did no harm to anyone. How does the barrel length rule cause personal harm to anyone except the person who wants to stop the BATF, etc., for a shorter barrel or no arrest for a longer barrel? It looks like a victimless crime, except that the person with the barrel that is not on the tape measure becomes a victim. Perhaps the BATF thinks that the shorter barrel will automatically lead to a criminal act on the part of the owners. Read More » But now let`s focus on the length of the barrel.

The short answer is that all barrel lengths are legal in one way or another. Why would anyone bother to legally acquire a rifle or shotgun with a short barrel? Short-barrelled firearms have some distinct advantages over their larger counterparts, such as lightness and ease of handling in confined spaces. In general, rifles are much more powerful (in terms of power, accuracy, ability to mount accessories, etc.) and much easier to use effectively than handguns. However, these advantages can be negated by the length and weight of a full-size rifle. In fact, a short-barreled rifle may simply be the only viable rifle option for people with certain physical limitations or disabilities. Thanks for the help, but you don`t understand my question. After filling out the voucher to make an SBR and get it approved! I want to make my AK gun an SBR. And wants to know if there is a minimum length. And the right form. I always look inside.

A shotgun barrel must be at least 18 inches long, as described in the NFA. Shorter (seriously – a little bit shorter) than that and it`s considered SBS. If this is the case and your shotgun barrel is less than 18 inches long, it is an SBS and must be registered as an NFA item to comply with the law. Short-barreled rifles can be manufactured by modification by the end user, by cutting a larger rifle, constructing a rifle with an original barrel less than 16 inches (41 cm), or adding a shoulder rest to a handgun equipped with a barrel less than 16 inches (41 cm), which would legally redefine it as a rifle rather than a handgun. In the United States, each of these processes must be legally accompanied by an ATF registration. It is considered a “constructive session” unless you have the documents in hand to make a legal configuration. So if you have an AR rod with a 10-inch barrel but no closed submaterial classified as a “pistol”, then you are in possession of an illegal SBR (assuming you don`t have a registered SBR subgun). Why are the length requirements for SBRs and SBSs different? That`s a good question.

Unfortunately, there is not really a right answer. Go back and re-read the first paragraph of this section. That`s about as good as a good answer. Keep in mind that if you set the total length of your shotgun or rifle to less than 26 inches, it is either a short-barreled shotgun or a short-barrelled rifle under federal law. As with barrel length, if this is the case, the firearm is an NFA firearm and must be registered. The overall length of your rifle or shotgun can also classify it as a short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun. So how is the total length determined? Again, we turn to the ATF method of measuring total length. The total length of a firearm is the distance between the muzzle of the barrel and the rearmost part of the barrel, measured on a line parallel to the axis of the bore.

Sounds simple enough, right? Two things to keep in mind when determining the total length of your rifle or shotgun. First of all, if the rifle has a fixed front device, this is part of the overall length. Second, if the rifle or shotgun has a foldable stock, the total length is measured with the extended stock. The expanded inventory departs from how some states require individuals to measure the total length of the firearm. That said, we are discussing federal law, but be aware of the difference if you live in one of these states. In both cases, if you have a firearm that falls under the NFA but is not registered, you are breaking federal law and the penalties for offences are only about $10,000 and 10 years in prison, or both, if the maximum penalties are imposed on you and the firearm expires. In other words, you do not have unregistered short-barreled shotguns or short-barreled rifles. The rifle must have a total length of at least 26 inches AND the barrel must be at least 16 inches long.

But let`s forget all that and just assume that SBRs are more “lethal” than longer guns: does restricting short-barreled firearms really prevent criminals from acquiring them? Also, shotguns and rifles of any type are rarely used in homicides, although even short-barreled rifles and shotguns are very easy to acquire or manufacture if you don`t care about breaking the laws (see below).