Short Barrel Question

jimeast · Mar 15, 2017

I thought I posted this the other day, but can't find it...

I'm considering taking an old SxS shotgun and getting some 45 Colt or 45-70 rifled inserts for it. If the inserts are permanently installed, do I need the NFA or ATF stamp to shorten the barrels to 10" or so and change the butt to a pistol grip?? I think I do, but thought I'd ask.

ogree · Mar 15, 2017

Yes, It was manufactured as a long gun and requires a tax stamp to shorten it.

MachIVshooter · Mar 15, 2017

ogree said:
Yes, It was manufactured as a long gun and requires a tax stamp to shorten it.

This is correct. Bringing the barrel(s) of existing shotguns or rifles below 18" or 16" respectively constitutes a "weapon made from a shotgun" or "weapon made from a rifle", which will make it AOW or SBR/SBS.

If your rifled inserts are permanently installed, it is now a rifle, not a shotgun, and you could shorten the tubes to 16" legally.

To do what you want without going NFA, however, you must start with a virgin receiver.

jimeast · Mar 16, 2017

Guys, Thanks, Makes perfect sense, the switch from a smooth bore shotgun, to a rifled barrel pistol got me a bit confused

AlexanderA · Mar 16, 2017

How old? If the shotgun was manufactured before 1899, it's an antique and not a firearm under federal law. But, if it's altered so as to come under the NFA, the applicable definition changes and it's no longer an "antique" if it fires fixed ammunition that is ordinarily available in commercial trade. In other words, you could buy such a pre-1899 shotgun without federal regulation of any kind, but if you chop the barrel below the limit, then the NFA would apply.

MachIVshooter · Mar 24, 2017

AlexanderA said:
How old? If the shotgun was manufactured before 1899, it's an antique and not a firearm under federal law. But, if it's altered so as to come under the NFA, the applicable definition changes and it's no longer an "antique" if it fires fixed ammunition that is ordinarily available in commercial trade. In other words, you could buy such a pre-1899 shotgun without federal regulation of any kind, but if you chop the barrel below the limit, then the NFA would apply.

Yup. A lot of people are confused about this, thinking you can do whatever you want with antiques. Not the case at all. The alteration reclassifies them.

Akita1 · Mar 24, 2017

jimeast said:
Guys, Thanks, Makes perfect sense, the switch from a smooth bore shotgun, to a rifled barrel pistol got me a bit confused

Think length, manufacture date & ammo mod (per AlexanderA's post). They rule the day. Or, whatever ATF may decide on any given day. Best to be overly cautious.

Short Barrel Question

jimeast

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