Is it Legal to cut a stock Down?

**s campbell** · May 8th, 2013, 07:46 PM

Is it legal to cut a wood stock on a shot gun down to a pistol grip style handle? Also what is the legal barrel length for a HD shotgun? How to measure it correctly.

**redeye202** · May 8th, 2013, 11:50 PM

A shotgun cannot be shorter than 26 inches overall length, a shotgun barrel cannot be any shorter than 18 inches measured at the closed breach face.

**Connal** · May 8th, 2013, 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by redeye202

A shotgun cannot be shorter than 26 inches overall length, a shotgun barrel cannot be any shorter than 18 inches measured at the closed breach face.

Bingo.

You can remove the stock completely if you want, the over all length has to be at least 26 inches though.

**s campbell** · May 9th, 2013, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Connal

Bingo.

You can remove the stock completely if you want, the over all length has to be at least 26 inches though.

Thanks Guys. How is barrel measured at 18" on outside or inside the barrel?

**jtwalker** · May 9th, 2013, 11:09 AM

In my experience, inside or outside should give same measurement. Measure from breach face to end of muzzle. If there is a difference inside vs. outside, I'd err on the side of caution and make sure both measurements were legal.

**knight0334** · May 9th, 2013, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by s campbell

Thanks Guys. How is barrel measured at 18" on outside or inside the barrel?

Inside. Muzzle all the way back down to the breech-face, unless it is a revolver which then it is to the face of the cylinder.

And take note: The ATF's 18" measuring device might be shorter than your 18" measuring device - so it is wise to leave a little extra.

SEE t1066's POST BELOW.

I DON'T THINK I HAD ENOUGH COFFEE YET THE MORNING I POSTED THAT.

**t1066** · May 9th, 2013, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by knight0334

Inside. Muzzle all the way back down to the breech-face, unless it is a revolver which then it is to the face of the cylinder.

And take note: The ATF's 18" measuring device might be shorter than your 18" measuring device - so it is wise to leave a little extra.

If their measuring device is shorter, it could count underlength barrels as safe. I think you mean their measuring device might be longer. Which would screw him over if he was close to being undersized.

But I agree, leave extra length. With the ATF, better safe than sorry!!!

**redeye202** · May 9th, 2013, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by s campbell

Thanks Guys. How is barrel measured at 18" on outside or inside the barrel?

From what i have read on the subject, LE will measure from inside the barrel to the closed breach face, they take a rod/dowel that is marked at 18 inches, if the mark can be seen once the rod has reached the closed breach face, then you have a illegal shotgun.

Just google, WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO MEASURE AND CUT DOWN A SHOTGUN BARREL, just make sure that what ever way you go, that the gun is at least 26 inches overall length and that the barrel is no shorter than 18 inches, most people cut their barrels to 18 1/2 inches, just to be safe.

**39flathead** · May 10th, 2013, 07:17 PM

Another reason to cut to 18.5 is to leave room if it develops a crack while cutting or gets damaged later.

FYI, do not try to use a pipe cutter, you will end up with a spiral line gouged into your barrel.
I've seen way more than one of these come into the shop...

**redeye202** · May 10th, 2013, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by 39flathead

Another reason to cut to 18.5 is to leave room if it develops a crack while cutting or gets damaged later.

FYI, do not try to use a pipe cutter, you will end up with a spiral line gouged into your barrel.
I've seen way more than one of these come into the shop...

What is the best way to cut a barrel that is tapered, i need to cut one and i don't want to screw it up.