[Quilbilly]

I have decided to do it (or proly just buy an 18" barrel). The problem is that I do not know how to do all the legal stuff. I know I need to get all that done BEFORE I modify the gun. But it there a form I fill out and send in? And if so where do I get said form? I tried to find it on the net but no such luck. Also, are there and rules on modifying the stock? I would like to just cut most of it off (making sure the entire gun length is still over what it is required to be). Thanks so much in advance for your help.

[41magsnub]

As I understand it cutting down to 18" (do it to 18.5" just to be safe) is perfectly legal with no paperwork. Also, the overall length needs to be 26" or greater. Any shorter than what is described requires the tax stamp.

[Colorado]

I would find a good gunsmith. Any good gun shop should have all the answers for you. 41 is right... In the United States, it is illegal for a private citizen to possess a sawn-off modern smokeless powder shotgun (a barrel length less than 18 in. or 46 cm and an overall length less than 26 inches) without a tax-stamped permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which requires an extensive background check and a $200.00 fee for every transfer. (Short-barreled blackpowder shotguns, in contrast, are not illegal, by federal law, and require no tax-stamped permit, although they may be illegal under state law.) A new tax stamp must be purchased with every transfer of a modern smokeless powder short-barrelled shotgun, and transfers must be made through a Class III Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer. (See National Firearms Act.)

-Hope that helps

[jmr40]

I've done a couple and it is not hard to do. Go slow and try to keep the barrel as square as possible. I used a try-square and files to true up the end when finished and used a little cold blue to finish the cut. About a 20 min. project. The barrels I cut had vent ribs so I ended cutting mine about 21". I cut it at the post on the rib. I cut it a little long in case I messed up there would be something for a gunsmith to work with and still be legal.

[wdlsguy]

The State of Washington doesn't allow short-barreled shotguns (barrel less than 18" or overall length less than 26")...

RCW 9.41.190 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.41.190)

[Odnar]

You can probably forget buying a shorter barrel anyway. I looked a few years ago for a rifled barrel I could switch out for my smooth one and use during deer season. I looked for a while in local stores, online, and a gun show. The best I could do was within $75 of a new Mossberg 500 at Dick's. Of course, that was for a rifled one. Maybe the short smooth ones are more reasonable.

[EHCRain10]

as long as the barrel is over 18inches and the entire gun is over 26inches then you'll be fine

[TexasEllis]

Here you go:

http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2005/12/getting-185-inches.html

[foghornl]

Sawing off a barrel?

{In my best Mr. Bill voice}

Noooooooooooh!

You can buy the 18-1/2 cylinder bore plain barrel direct from Mossberg for less than $80, plus tax/freight. May be able to find locally for a bit less...I bought mine for $69+tax when they were $74 direct from Mossberg.

If you do cut it down yourself, here is the method to measure when done...Close the action, drop in a rod/dowl, mark said rod and withdraw, then measure. MUST be a minimum of 18", or then you get into the BATFE tax stamps, SBS/AOW regulations, etc.

[wdlsguy]

The shortest you can go in Washington is 18". Don't cut down a longer barrel, buy an 18" factory barrel, you can always sell the longer barrel:

http://www.google.com/products?q=Mossberg+90015&btnG=Search+Products&hl=en&scoring=p

http://shopping.yahoo.com/search?p=Mossberg+90015&cop=mss

[scout26]

Why not just buy one from www.havelinsales.com ??? $69.99 for one in 12ga with a heavy barrel.

Check out their close-out barrels page.

Or get one from http://www.mossberg.com/products/access.asp?type=barrels&section=access.

You might also be able to get one at your local shop.

Taking a hacksaw to a shotgun these days is just inviting problems, especially since you can just buy one to fit your needs/purpose.

[Jubjub]

Or Numrich has the 18.5" with sights for $99.99.

[Wineoceros]

You can probably forget buying a shorter barrel anyway. I looked a few years ago for a rifled barrel I could switch out for my smooth one and use during deer season. I looked for a while in local stores, online, and a gun show. The best I could do was within $75 of a new Mossberg 500 at Dick's. Of course, that was for a rifled one. Maybe the short smooth ones are more reasonable.
Things have changed quite a bit since then. I easily found and bought both the 18.5" smooth and the rifled (and scoped) slug barrels for my 500, paying ~$70 for the former at Academy, and ~$150 for the latter at Wal-Mart.

[Cosmoline]

What's your objective here? If you want to make a short bear/hunting gun I'd STRONGLY advise you to get a slugster 18.5" barrel with the rifle sights on it. I've had good luck with them. If you just hack the thing midway you're onlt making a shotgun into a scattergun.