How long is your 18 1/2" barrel?

[7mmsavage]

Sorry, I know that sounds ridiculous, but I need some help from anyone out there has a factory 18 1/2" Mossberg. I got a deal on an extra barrel for my 500A and would like to cut it down for use as an HD gun. Problem is I'm not sure what's legal with this thing. It's a 28" barrel, no rib, bead sight. I measured back 9 1/8"from the muzzle and marked the barrel, which should leave me 18 7/8", but when I re-install the barrel there is only 18 1/4" to my mark. Could anyone who has a factory 18 1/2 measure what is actually exposed and let me know? Thanks !

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

The limit is 18", not 18.5", so you should be ok. The proper way to measure it is to insert a rod down the barrel with the action closed and measure that rod at the point where it leaves the barrel.m

 

[7mmsavage]

Thanks, I've heard that true barrel length is from the bolt face, but just wanted to know what a factory barrel measured. Just want to be safe. I don't know where I got it that legal length was 18.5", thats good to know. Anyway, thanks for the quick reply.

 

[iiibdsiil]

I believe the 18.5" is a buffer to keep you in a safe zone. You don't want to measure in at 17.9" and have a problem.

 

[A man with a gun!]

Or around here, and have a barrel thats 17 and 31/32" and be in trouble.

 

[Jeff F]

Heres the way to measure your barrel. Make sure the shotgun is unloaded, then check again that it is unloaded. Rack the action so its like it would be when ready to fire it. Drop a wood dowel or a cleaning rod down the barrel against the closed breech. Mark the dowel or cleaning rod where it exits the muzzle then measure from the end to the mark. this is how long your barrel is. If its 18 inches or more you are good to go. If its under 18 inches, keep quiet about it, take it off the shotgun and destroy it.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

Actually you can put a choke tube or something like that permanently attacted to the muzzle and your fine... that is if you reach 18 + inches