[BigBlueEyedDevil]

So I measured twice and cut the barrel on my 500A to what I THOUGHT was going to be 19". Well after I ground the tip smooth and cleaned it up, it's about 18 1/4" Did I ruin my barrel and need to scrap it since it's illegal or what?

Thanks, Tyler

[pauli]

18 1/4" is legal. barely.

[Third_Rail]

18" is the legal minimum. 18.5" is what manufacturers usally offer as the shortest barrel, but 18.25" is legal as well.


If you had cut the barrel too short, you would have needed to detatch it and pound it flat or otherwise destroy it and toss it in the trash. That or cut off the lug and use it as a tentstake, tomato stake, or similar.

[Pietro Beretta]

I bet if the cops had to measure it, it would come up short with their tape... :fire:

It is legal, you shouldnt have a problem... :uhoh:

[Jim Watson]

Be sure not to put a pistol grip or folding stock on it that will reduce the overall length below 26 inches. That is also illegal.

[Cesiumsponge]

If by chance you feel it is under 18", you can permanently attach (solder, pin, etc) a muzzle device I suppose. There are a few companies that make flash suppressors for shotguns.

[Norton]

A question as it regards barrel length.....

How is the barrel measured? Meaning, is it measured in it's entire length when it's off of the gun (IE lug to muzzle) or is measured by how far it entends from the receiver?

I have a factory (and uncut, thank you very much) Mossberg 18.5 inch barrel that measures something like 20 inches from lug to muzzle but just a frog's hair over 18" when measured from the edge of the receiver to the muzzle :confused:

[Rupestris]

Norton,
The barrel should be measured from the bolt face to the muzzle from inside the barrel.
Run a tape measure or wooden dowel down the barrel until it is against the bolt face and mark it/read it at the muzzle.

[Norton]

Thanks for the info....that makes sense. Mine is just fine in that case.

[MudPuppy]

Dangerous advice--if you ever did need to use it (home defense) you'd have a lot to talk about with the LEOs.

I'd rather have more fun if I'm going to get convicted of a felony and never be allowed to own another firearm.

[Okiecruffler]

I picked up a reciever cheap last year from a friend who had cut the barrel too short. Cheap enough to replace the barrel. If you even half way sorta kinda think it might be even just a gnat hair too short, your best bet is to make that barrel into scrap iron and hit ebay to find a replacement.
And while I don't tend toward tin foil headgear, anyone who would suggest doing anything illegal on a public forum might want to rethink and examine some events of rather recent history.

[MrChicken]

What if he added a choke?
Does that count for barrel length, or would the barrel be measured without the choke installed?

[Maddock]

My understanding is that the measurement is done with everything removable removed. So, screw in or on chokes don't count towards length.

[dfaugh]

still sell the "Polychoke"...that was an external ajustable choke that was permanently affixed to the barrel....IIRC would add about an inch...

As stated, measure by closing the action and measuring through the barrel...

If its too close for comfort, ditch (destroy) the barrel and buy a new one...

P.S. a pistol grip is OK in a 12 gauge Mossberg 500 w/ 18.5" barrel...I just measured my receiver, and its almost 9" long, plus the mounting area of the PG adds another 1.5" ...So overall length would be around 28+"

[scout26]

dfaugh,

Yep, the 500 Cruiser is legal with a 18.5" barrel.

www.mossberg.com (http://www.mossberg.com) Check out the Products page. IIRC the model# is 50440

[Norton]

Fortunately, the Mossberg barrels aren't too expensive....I think i gave around $60 new for my 18.5" a while back.....probably more now, but not nearly as expensive as the Remongton barrels.