Legal barrel length

Big Tool · 04-07-2008, 08:43 PM

I was thinking about getting a used 870 and cutting the barrel down shorter. Where can I find out what the legal limit is. I don't want to be doing anything illegal, but I like the full size stock without the extra barrel length. it would be a truck/ snake gun.

sell33 · 04-07-2008, 08:47 PM

mossberg JIC has 18 1/2" and i know i can buy that at the local shop so i would say that at least is legal??? thats in ohio though i would bet states are different but not sure

lefty o · 04-07-2008, 08:53 PM

Mooseman684 · 04-07-2008, 09:18 PM

You should actually go at least 18 1/4 " due to Different ATF agents way of measuring...That is what They Told me at BATFE...better to be on the safe side, because the measurement is supposed to be from the breech Face, not the rear of the barrel which can vary between Models...18-1/4 to 18-1/2 " is A safe bet...I cut most of mine to 19 or 20" just in case it ever needs a recut!
18 inches is what the law reads...Canada will not let that gun in the country ,FYI.
Rich

lefty o · 04-07-2008, 11:18 PM

i agree, better safe than sorry.

Otter · 04-08-2008, 03:26 AM

18 inches measured down the bore with the bolt closed for shotgun.
16 inched measured down the bore with the bolt closed for rifle. Are the legal minimum.

Big Tool · 04-08-2008, 04:07 PM

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'm thinking a 870 express I believe they have a 26-28" barrel so I would be able to take off quiet a bit.

What would be necessary. Just hack saw and go, then file it down smooth.

Bookman · 04-08-2008, 04:17 PM

A hack saw would do fine. I once cut down an old doublebarrel with just a hacksaw. It took only a minute.

lefty o · 04-08-2008, 06:25 PM

20" barrels are easily available for the 870.

Uncle Red · 04-09-2008, 10:27 AM

The Mossberg barrel is 18.25 for a different reason. With a factory pistol grip installed the over-all length had to meet the 26" min.

-UR

3sonstotin'guns · 04-09-2008, 08:09 PM

first time post: I have a Mossberg pump and a rifled barrel, dont care much for the rifled barrel but I need a short barrel for home defense, etc, what would happen if I sawed off the rifled barrel and shot buckshot/birdshot through it? clearly the rifling is toast but I dont care, it wont explode will it?

lefty o · 04-09-2008, 09:15 PM

rifled barrels dont generally pattern shot very well, buy a new barrel. they are not that expensive for most mossbergs.

mitch_mckee · 04-09-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tool

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'm thinking a 870 express I believe they have a 26-28" barrel so I would be able to take off quiet a bit.

What would be necessary. Just hack saw and go, then file it down smooth.

I'd get it in a vice and cut as square as possible. Getting the bead on right is a stone b**ch for us guys without the right gear. Got help for my Ithaca from a machinist. Not too hard if you are chopping a barrel with a rib, though.

Or just buy another in 18" and have both. They are easily interchangable and if the ATF gripes, and they don't just shoot you, you will have purchased the barrel from a manufacturer instead of a bob job. They just cost about $100.

jimkim · 04-09-2008, 09:34 PM

advertise someone will trade you for it. I know I would. Or sell it and buy an 18" barrel.

perdidochas · 04-11-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Tool

I was thinking about getting a used 870 and cutting the barrel down shorter. Where can I find out what the legal limit is. I don't want to be doing anything illegal, but I like the full size stock without the extra barrel length. it would be a truck/ snake gun.

I think a better bet would be to buy an 18.5" barrel for it, or buy an 870 express with an 18.5" barrel. You should be able to get it for under $300.

ArkansasHunter · 04-11-2008, 09:08 AM

Havlin sales sells Mossberg made Rem. 870 barrels at a very reasonable price.
Take a look.

Remington® 870 Accessories
Headlined by the barrels that Mossberg® makes for the Remington® 870™, this section features both sporting and tactical items for your Remington® 870™ offered at bargain prices. Barrels are new, discontinued SKUs or surplus special order stock.

REMINGTON® 870™ BARRELS by MOSSBERG® Your Choice $89.99
Remington® 870™ Specialty 18.5” LE/Tactical Home Defense

Blue finish, cylinder bore rifled front and folding rear slug sight, 18.5”
Item: 870LE185 $89.99
Remington® 870™ Smooth Bore Slugster

Blue finish, cylinder bore rifled front and folding rear slug sight, 24”
Item: 870RS24 $89.99
Remington® 870™ Accu-Choke Vent Rib 28” Sporting Barrel

Blue finish, one modified accu-choke, 28” vent rib bead front and mid sight bead
Item: 870VR28 $89.99

I didn't copy all the barrels they offer...A.H

EviL · 04-12-2008, 09:04 PM

hmm, i just got an 870 today but it has 28" barrel. i think im going to order that first barrel there, the home defense one. looks pretty sweet, and under 100 bux.

04-07-2008, 08:43 PM	#1
Big Tool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MS Posts: 601	Legal barrel length I was thinking about getting a used 870 and cutting the barrel down shorter. Where can I find out what the legal limit is. I don't want to be doing anything illegal, but I like the full size stock without the extra barrel length. it would be a truck/ snake gun.

04-07-2008, 09:18 PM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,668 Images: 2	You should actually go at least 18 1/4 " due to Different ATF agents way of measuring...That is what They Told me at BATFE...better to be on the safe side, because the measurement is supposed to be from the breech Face, not the rear of the barrel which can vary between Models...18-1/4 to 18-1/2 " is A safe bet...I cut most of mine to 19 or 20" just in case it ever needs a recut! 18 inches is what the law reads...Canada will not let that gun in the country ,FYI. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

04-08-2008, 03:26 AM	#6
Otter Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 952 Images: 6	18 inches measured down the bore with the bolt closed for shotgun. 16 inched measured down the bore with the bolt closed for rifle. Are the legal minimum. __________________ Life is too important to be taken seriously.

04-09-2008, 10:27 AM	#10
Uncle Red Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 547	The Mossberg barrel is 18.25 for a different reason. With a factory pistol grip installed the over-all length had to meet the 26" min. -UR __________________ "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed"--Amendment II, Bill of Rights "He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."--Thomas Paine "He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." - Jesus, Luke 22:36

04-09-2008, 09:34 PM	#14
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,045 Blog Entries: 11	advertise someone will trade you for it. I know I would. Or sell it and buy an 18" barrel. __________________ Jan. 4, 2007...Gasoline $2.10/gallon HMMM? Jim

04-07-2008, 08:47 PM	#2
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,194	mossberg JIC has 18 1/2" and i know i can buy that at the local shop so i would say that at least is legal??? thats in ohio though i would bet states are different but not sure

04-07-2008, 08:53 PM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,797	18"

04-07-2008, 11:18 PM	#5
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,797	i agree, better safe than sorry.

04-08-2008, 04:07 PM	#7
Big Tool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MS Posts: 601	Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'm thinking a 870 express I believe they have a 26-28" barrel so I would be able to take off quiet a bit. What would be necessary. Just hack saw and go, then file it down smooth.

04-08-2008, 04:17 PM	#8
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 738	A hack saw would do fine. I once cut down an old doublebarrel with just a hacksaw. It took only a minute.

04-08-2008, 06:25 PM	#9
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,797	20" barrels are easily available for the 870.

04-09-2008, 08:09 PM	#11
3sonstotin'guns Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: charlotte Posts: 3	first time post: I have a Mossberg pump and a rifled barrel, dont care much for the rifled barrel but I need a short barrel for home defense, etc, what would happen if I sawed off the rifled barrel and shot buckshot/birdshot through it? clearly the rifling is toast but I dont care, it wont explode will it?

04-09-2008, 09:15 PM	#12
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,797	rifled barrels dont generally pattern shot very well, buy a new barrel. they are not that expensive for most mossbergs.

04-11-2008, 09:08 AM	#16
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,690	Havlin sales sells Mossberg made Rem. 870 barrels at a very reasonable price. Take a look. Remington® 870 Accessories Headlined by the barrels that Mossberg® makes for the Remington® 870™, this section features both sporting and tactical items for your Remington® 870™ offered at bargain prices. Barrels are new, discontinued SKUs or surplus special order stock. REMINGTON® 870™ BARRELS by MOSSBERG® Your Choice $89.99 Remington® 870™ Specialty 18.5” LE/Tactical Home Defense Blue finish, cylinder bore rifled front and folding rear slug sight, 18.5” Item: 870LE185 $89.99 Remington® 870™ Smooth Bore Slugster Blue finish, cylinder bore rifled front and folding rear slug sight, 24” Item: 870RS24 $89.99 Remington® 870™ Accu-Choke Vent Rib 28” Sporting Barrel Blue finish, one modified accu-choke, 28” vent rib bead front and mid sight bead Item: 870VR28 $89.99 I didn't copy all the barrels they offer...A.H Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 04-11-2008 at 09:10 AM.

04-12-2008, 09:04 PM	#17
EviL Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In the Boonies Posts: 106	hmm, i just got an 870 today but it has 28" barrel. i think im going to order that first barrel there, the home defense one. looks pretty sweet, and under 100 bux. Last edited by EviL; 04-12-2008 at 09:25 PM.