Can you put a stock on an A.O.W. shotgun?

[sevin8nin]

So here in WA short barreled shotguns are illegal, and while I'm a law abiding citizen, I'd really like to have a shorter shotgun than my 20" mossberg 590 for maneuvering around my apartment. (and before anyone chimes in, my apartment is the back side of a house that no one else lives in, and my neighbors are far enough away that's over penetration is not a concern).
I'd love to have a 14" barreled shotgun with a full stock for home defense, but SBSs are completely illegal for some reason. However, shotguns that are considered "any other weapon (AOW)" because they come with pistol grips are perfectly legal here.

The washington state law states that one of the main prerequisites of a shotgun is that it be intended to be fired from the shoulder.

So, my question is, can a shotgun that was original designated as an AOW, have a stock added to it, and still be considered an AOW, or does it immediately become a SBS?

And as a side note, does anyone know why SBSs are illegal in washington, or any state for that matter, while shotguns like the above are perfectly legal and actually require a much cheaper tax?

 

[Fred Fuller]

does it immediately become a SBS?

In a word- Yep.

An 18" barrel is not THAT much of a hassle, compared to felony time in the pokey and $10,000 fines.

lpl/nc

 

[sevin8nin]

Haha, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to do any of this illegally. I'm simply wondering if there is some way to actually obtain what I want without moving to a different state (obviously not worth it).

It looks like I'm SOL for getting a SBS in any form.

 

[Fred Fuller]

How come you want a super short shotgun anywho? Loose your keys a lot? 8^)

lpl/nc

 

[sevin8nin]

I love shotguns as a weapon, and I love the look and feel of short barreled shotguns. I don't think I'd want one as short as that serbu I posted up. But one member on here has a benelli m1 s90 with a 10.5" barrel that makes my heart go pitter-patter.

I want a HD weapon that's shoulder fired, but fairly short. Like a 14" barrel. I considered just getting an AR, and while I would like one, I just have more of a love affair with shotguns.

 

[machinisttx]

An AOW CANNOT have a shoulder stock attached.

You're stuck with the pistol grip.

 

[wdlsguy]

There is a type of AOW that can have a shoulder stock. I don't know if it would pass muster in Washington or not though:

The “any other weapon” definition also includes specifically described weapons with combination shotgun and rifle barrels 12 inches or more but less than 18 inches in length from which only a single discharge can be made from either barrel without manual reloading. The firearm most commonly associated with this portion of the definition is the Marble’s Game Getter.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/nfa/nfa_handbook/0607nfa_handbook-rev.pdf

 

[Fred Fuller]

Short shotguns. Let's see.

The Sears-branded Stevens 311 20 ga. SxS my mom used to use as a house gun (at 79, she decided it kicked too much and we got her a Beretta Storm carbine in 9mm to replace it) is 33" long overall, with 18.5" barrels and a 12" LOP stock.

The average 870 house gun here works out to be about 4" longer than that at 37" overall, with an 18 1/8" factory barrel and a 12.5" LOP stock (cut to fit my wife, and I adapted to it).

With a 12.5" barrel (i.e., bobbed even with the magazine cap on a standard 4-round magazine) on one of the short-stocked 870s here, the overall length of the gun would still be about 31.5".

So to save about 6" in overall length, is the hassle and expense really worth it? It sure isn't to me, might be to you.

As to the 'maneuvering around in the apartment' bit, it's highly overrated as a solitary practice (kinda like some other solitary practices out there ) and is in fact apt to get you killed if there really is anyone else in there with you who's looking for trouble. The pros I have known in the past (sometimes referred to these days as Tier 1 operators) didn't want to do single-handed clearing, and some of them used to shoot 100,000 rounds a year in training in shoot houses.

I very strongly suggest at minimum you take the PPITH class that the NRA offers (that's Personal Protection In The Home), or if it isn't available close to you, get the DVD and study it. Or/and get Louis Awerbuck's Safe At Home video from Paladin. Learn how to set up a safe room and bunker down behind cover. Or/and get a dog, and let the dog tell you if there really is anyone else in the house. Taking a full blown multi-day fighting shotgun class is IMHO the best thing you could do for yourself, but that can be an expensive proposition and it's better to build up to it a bit first. But don't think that removing an extra few inches in overall length from your shotgun is going to really fix anything for you. Improving your skillset, however, will do you a lot of good.

hth,

lpl/nc

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http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp - NRA Class/Instructor Locator

http://materials.nrahq.org/go/product.aspx?productid=ES 26840 - NRA PPITH DVD

http://www.paladin-press.com/product/129/73 - Safe At Home DVD

 

[sevin8nin]

I'm currently signed up for a couple of handgun classes at seattle firearms academy, and plan on taking the shotgun class in the fall. Perhaps with the right training it won't matter.

I think it's just one of those 'things.' Like a supressor. I don't really need one, but it doesn't stop me from desiring one. I don't really need a short shotgun, I just really want one. And you're right. I don't really need to move around my apartment. I just close the bedroom door and get in my spot.

 

[foghornl]

I am not interested in the super shorty type shotguns. But if that spins your fan....hey, your gun, your money.

Taking the 28" Mod choke barrel off and putting on the 18-1/2" cylinder-bore barrel on my Maverick 88 gave me as much 'handi-ness" as I need in a shotty....and I shortened the L-O-P a bit, too by installing a shorter Hogue stock.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I'm currently signed up for a couple of handgun classes at seattle firearms academy, and plan on taking the shotgun class in the fall

Outstanding- glad to hear it! FAS has a great reputation, as does InSights. You all in that area are really lucky to have such good training opportunities nearby.

lpl/nc