Breeching Standoff and Barrel Length

[xring shooter]

Hi all, have a question for all you shotgun experts. One of the guys that works for me took a Mossberg 500 on a trade. It has had a standoff put on the end of the barrel. With the standoff the barrel is about 19 inches as measured from the bolt face. With the standoff removed the barrel is a touch under 18 inches. His question to me was if it was legal with the stand off or does the 18 inches have to be the actual continuous barrel? If its not legal that way he is just gonna buy another barrel. If it is legal he's fine with it the way it is. I told him I would try to find out for sure for him. Dont want one of my workers in jail! Any info would be great!
Thanks again

 

[oneounceload]

18 inches means 18 inches, not 17 and 63/64"

 

[xring shooter]

Right, we understand that. The question is does the stand off count toward the "legal" length of the barrel?

 

[TurtlePhish]

Only if it's permanently attached in some way. If it's removable, no.

 

[rcmodel]

Weld or pin it on and it counts.

If you can unscrew it, and it doesn't.

rc

 

[xring shooter]

Sounds good. Work at a shop with several TIG machines and I've bee TIG welding for almost 20yrs so shouldn't be a problem

 

[dogtown tom]

xring shooter ....His question to me was if it was legal with the stand off or does the 18 inches have to be the actual continuous barrel?...

I'll bet he measured the exterior of the barrel.

Measure it the same way ATF does.....with the bolt closed, drop a rod or dowel down the barrel, mark the rod where it exits the muzzle. Now measure the rod. If its 18" he's fine. Less than 18" is tax stamp territory.