Please Confirm Barrel Measuring Technique

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A Cleaner

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Correct me if I'm wrong:

1. With shotgun unloaded (triple checked) and the bolt locked to the barrel, carefully insert dowel or similar shaped rod into barrel from muzzle.

2. Ensure that the dowel has made it all the way back to the bolt face and then mark the rod at the edge of muzzle.

3. Remove rod and measure from end to "muzzle mark".

My completely stock Remington 870 Exp HD, when measured this way comes to just under 18.5". If merely measured outside from muzzle to receiver, it only measures 17.94". Again, from the factory...no barrel mods of any kind.

My concern: If I were ever required to submit the gun to LE to be measured, I want to be sure of the standard method and have a dowel with and 18" mark handy (in my carry case). Not implying anything about LE, I have a great deal of respect. It's just a little CYA (or CMA as the case may be). Thanks.
 
That is the "ATF" method of barrel meaauremnt..

close action, drop in a rod of suitable length, mark & measure.
 
Yes, Foggy has it right, as do you with the rod-in-the-bore method. An unmodified factory barrel sold as 18 inches should cause you no concern as to being too short. The barrel extends a short distance into the receiver when installed and thus must be measured from the inside, to the breech/bolt face, to get an accurate measurement.

But it never hurts to ask...

lpl/nc
 
A Cleaner,

As previously mentioned the measuring techinque you talked about is correct for not only shotguns, but rifles as well.

My question is why would you ever be "required to submit the gun to LE to be measured"?

I somwhat understand your concern in this area. But if a LEO suspects that your SGs barrel is too short, then I doubt that they would take your pre measured rod and use it to measure the barrel.

Regards,
Rob
 
Wow you guys, thanks for the dowel trick, thats pretty slick. i always just estimated the barrel lenght, it seemed like the reciever or bolt was always in the way.
 
Is that how the Canadian Mounties and border Nazi's do it too? (We have our own in the USA too!)
 
Jeez, doesn't anybody just measure from the start of the chamber to the end of muzzle anymore? Sure would save a lot of confusion. :D
 
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