shotgun barrels

Nanders · 02-03-2008, 11:03 AM

Out of curiosity, what is the reason that shotguns must have at least an 18" barrel? Even if you sawed nearly all the barrel off, it would still be harder to conceal than a pistol.

I also know that you can shoot .410 shells through some pistols. Does that then make that pistol a shotgun, when loaded with shotgun shells? If so, wouldnt it need a barrel as long as the Joker's from batman?

nathangdad · 02-03-2008, 11:08 AM

Like most all firearms legislation, it is formulated and passed into law by non-thinking politicos.

The_Patriot · 02-03-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanders

Out of curiosity, what is the reason that shotguns must have at least an 18" barrel? Even if you sawed nearly all the barrel off, it would still be harder to conceal than a pistol.

I also know that you can shoot .410 shells through some pistols. Does that then make that pistol a shotgun, when loaded with shotgun shells? If so, wouldnt it need a barrel as long as the Joker's from batman?

Don't try to make sense of gun laws, you'll go crazy.

With that said, I'd also be interested in the genesis of the 18-inch federal law. If I had to guess, some beltway boy pulled that out of his backside.

I would have to ask my uncle what the process was, but he got a federal waiver of some sort (anyone know what it is?) to carry a pistol grip side-by-side 12 gauge with 10-inch barrels. He kept it in a holster on his hip. He used to drive a dumpster truck in Alaska and used bear threat as justification (bears like to hang around trash dumpsters quite often).

Mooseman684 · 02-03-2008, 01:19 PM

Hey Patriot,
Was your Uncle in the Glennallen / Copper Basin/Kenny lake area???
I built one for a Garbage Truck Driver in the late 80's when his Tax stamp arrived, just for Bear protection !
Rich

The_Patriot · 02-03-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Hey Patriot,
Was your Uncle in the Glennallen / Copper Basin/Kenny lake area???
I built one for a Garbage Truck Driver in the late 80's when his Tax stamp arrived, just for Bear protection !
Rich

Wow! That could certainly be him. Kind of a short guy, named Gerry. He still lives near Glennallen. He's retired now, but I think he still has the shotgun. Did I get the dimensions right? I thought it was either 8 inch or 10 inch on the barrels. I remember he showed it to me, but it's been some years ago.

Mooseman684 · 02-03-2008, 03:03 PM

That's Him ! I did the Cut down on that Double for him !
12 inch barrels as I recall.
I was working at the Local Machine shop at the time..
Wow, Small world...1988 or 1989 I think is when I did that Job.
Gerry S. is still living in Kenny Lake...Been friends for Years !
Rich

The_Patriot · 02-03-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

That's Him ! I did the Cut down on that Double for him !
12 inch barrels as I recall.
I was working at the Local Machine shop at the time..
Wow, Small world...1988 or 1989 I think is when I did that Job.
Gerry S. is still living in Kenny Lake...Been friends for Years !
Rich

Sure is a small world!

Gerry (and Janice) had a pretty big impact on my life--probably bigger than they know. My Dad took me to Alaska when I was 17, and about to enter the military. I had such a blast up there (especially with the big honkin King Salmon!) that I volunteered to go to Alaska after Basic Training. I was stationed in Anchorage from 88-96. I met my wife there and the rest was history. Yep, if it weren't for Gerry showing me the ropes in places like the Tonsina and Klutina, my life might be a whole lot different right now. I was over there a few times (and to Valdez) when I was stationed up there, but not a lot since it was such a drive. My Dad also made a number of trips up there when I was there to see his sister (Janice). I still keep in touch with e-mail from time to time.

Anyway, nice to "meet" you. Last I saw, Gerry was still carrying that little shotgun everywhere he went. I'd sure like to have one like that.

I haven't been back to Alaska since 96. I'd sure like to go back sometime and so some fishing. Fishing just hasn't been the same since I came back to the lower 48. My son is 7 now; I'll be making a trip up there sometime to introduce him to that great state. I can't wait.

Mooseman684 · 02-03-2008, 03:54 PM

Hey , Thats pretty Neat...
The Klutina, and Gulkana are Hot Salmon Rivers here, This is My Stomping ground...If you ever get up here, Look me up. Gerry Knows Me and I am pretty easy to find...Right on the Glenn Hwy that runs from Anchorage to Glennallen.
Rich

The_Patriot · 02-03-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Hey , Thats pretty Neat...
The Klutina, and Gulkana are Hot Salmon Rivers here, This is My Stomping ground...If you ever get up here, Look me up. Gerry Knows Me and I am pretty easy to find...Right on the Glenn Hwy that runs from Anchorage to Glennallen.
Rich

Thanks--I appreciate the offer. Not sure when I'll be up, but I imagine it'll be in the next 2-5 years sometime. I'd sure like to show my boy some of the sights up there...beautiful country and fantastic outdoor experiences (well, except for that black bear that was thinking of eating me near Soldotna).

When I was up there before I was an amatuer eagle photographer. That was in the film days. I'd sure like to take the expensive digital camera gear/optics I have now and visit places like Valdez and Homer. I'd get some incredible shots. If I can catch two planes mid-air (look to your left), I'm sure I could get some fantastic eagle pictures. You really have me thinking about going back...soon.

Take care.

02-03-2008, 11:03 AM	#1
Nanders Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Omaha Posts: 59	shotgun barrels Out of curiosity, what is the reason that shotguns must have at least an 18" barrel? Even if you sawed nearly all the barrel off, it would still be harder to conceal than a pistol. I also know that you can shoot .410 shells through some pistols. Does that then make that pistol a shotgun, when loaded with shotgun shells? If so, wouldnt it need a barrel as long as the Joker's from batman?

02-03-2008, 11:08 AM	#2
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,435	Just another dumb law Like most all firearms legislation, it is formulated and passed into law by non-thinking politicos.

02-03-2008, 01:19 PM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,632 Images: 2	Hey Patriot, Was your Uncle in the Glennallen / Copper Basin/Kenny lake area??? I built one for a Garbage Truck Driver in the late 80's when his Tax stamp arrived, just for Bear protection ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

02-03-2008, 03:03 PM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,632 Images: 2	That's Him ! I did the Cut down on that Double for him ! 12 inch barrels as I recall. I was working at the Local Machine shop at the time.. Wow, Small world...1988 or 1989 I think is when I did that Job. Gerry S. is still living in Kenny Lake...Been friends for Years ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

02-03-2008, 03:54 PM	#8
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,632 Images: 2	Hey , Thats pretty Neat... The Klutina, and Gulkana are Hot Salmon Rivers here, This is My Stomping ground...If you ever get up here, Look me up. Gerry Knows Me and I am pretty easy to find...Right on the Glenn Hwy that runs from Anchorage to Glennallen. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!