Question on measuring shotgun barrel length

[JCinPA]

If I recall correctly, didn't Waco happen because a feeb asked someone to cut a shotgun barrel too short? Mossberg 500 security barrels have been hard to find and a couple years ago I bought one from a guy who had cut down a longer barrel. I've never put a bead on it, and would like to put a bead on it. But I'm paranoid about the length.

Where, exactly, do you measure from? Or, if you know, what would the longest measurement on it have to be for it to be legal? I'd like it to be a quarter inch too long just to be safe, but I sure don't want it too short. Thank you!

[Delkal]

You measure from the end of the closed bolt face. Put a rod down the barrel till it stops and mark it at the muzzle. That mark is your length.

[JCinPA]

Excellent, thank you very much! So on an unloaded gun drop something like a dowel in it so it rests on the bolt face and mark the end and that needs to be 18.5" minimum, correct. Very much appreciated. Now I will look for a YouTube on putting a sight up front.

[knight0334]

Excellent, thank you very much! So on an unloaded gun drop something like a dowel in it so it rests on the bolt face and mark the end and that needs to be 18.5" minimum, correct. Very much appreciated. Now I will look for a YouTube on putting a sight up front.

18" is minimum. That 0.5" is a safety buffer.

The ATF's measuring rod might actually be 18.09", so if you cut to 18" measured by your rod that is actually 17.998" - you'll certainly be fucked.

[Delkal]

So on an unloaded gun drop something like a dowel in it so it rests on the bolt face and mark the end.

Yes. With action closed.

[JCinPA]

Awesome, thanks to you both, so much knowledge here. So I don't need to add a quarter inch to the 18.5 it already has a 0.5" buffer. This place is a terrific source of information. Thanks again.

[RLS]

If I recall correctly, didn't Waco happen because a feeb asked someone to cut a shotgun barrel too short? Mossberg 500 security barrels have been hard to find and a couple years ago I bought one from a guy who had cut down a longer barrel. I've never put a bead on it, and would like to put a bead on it. But I'm paranoid about the length.

Where, exactly, do you measure from? Or, if you know, what would the longest measurement on it have to be for it to be legal? I'd like it to be a quarter inch too long just to be safe, but I sure don't want it too short. Thank you!

I believe you are referring to Randy Weaver and the Ruby Ridge incident.


Rick

[Noah_Zark]

Excellent, thank you very much! So on an unloaded gun drop something like a dowel in it so it rests on the bolt face and mark the end and that needs to be 18.5" minimum, correct. Very much appreciated. Now I will look for a YouTube on putting a sight up front.

A stiff 1/2" wide tape measure (with a slight curve to the blade) is small enough to fit 20 and 12 ga barrels and gives you a direct reading.

Noah

[fingers80002]

AFT will find some other way to fuck you in the ass...............