Shotgun barrel question

[TheReiver]

Hello all. I'm not certain that this is the proper place for this thread, so moderators please relocate as needed.

For some time now I've been wanting to make my beloved Remington 870 more tight quarters friendly. I've looked at various "tactical" (hate that word) barrels and stocks and have a pretty good idea of what I'm wanting. I have all but decided that simply chopping down the factory barrel is better for me, for budgetary reasons more than anything else.

I know that the barrel must remain at least 18 inches, and therein lies my question. Is the barrel measured from the front of the receiver when attached or from end to end when it is apart? I realize that this would only be maybe half an inch, but I'd rather not earn myself an extended stay in the steel bar inn simply because I improperly measured/cut a steel tube.

Thanks for your help.

 

[TurtlePhish]

It's measured from the bolt face to end of barrel when the breech is closed. Put a wooden dowel or cleaning rod down the barrel and mark it when it hits the bolt face to get a measurement, then mark 18.5" from the breech end of the dowel, put the first mark level with the end of the barrel, and mark the barrel level with the 18.5" mark.

I say 18.5" to give a safe amount of leeway for finishing or errors in measurement.

 

[TheReiver]

Thank you! I've been as nervous as a dog in a Chinese restaurant over this.

 

[TurtlePhish]

Yeah, NFA and ATF and hard to deal with and don't generally make sense...

Glad to help.