This is gonna sound dumb..

[dscottw88]

But, do shotguns have short barrel limitations like rifles do? Rifle's need the mandatory 16 inch barrel or its considered a SBR. What about shotguns though?

 

[chris in va]

18", or 18.5" to be on the safe side.

 

[manicmarauder]

Found this on Wiki, of all places.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawed-off_shotgun

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.

While Wiki isn't my first choice for matters of law, it does at least let you know there are laws out there about it. You should do some more research for your own state/city.

I'm most definitely NOT a lawyer.

 

[Brian Dale]

Sorry, dscottw88, but your question isn't dumb at all.

First do the homework, measure twice, check your notes and your measurements, then cut and polish. You don't want to have an unregistered short-barreled shotgun in the United States.

Welcome to The High Road, manicmarauder!

 

[verb0s]

If you're going to cut, always make sure you have some extra. Its just better that way. Like half an inch. No point going to jail over a small error.

 

[RCR29]

Rifles - 16" BBL 26" MIN OAL

Shotguns - 18" BBL 26" MIN OAL

As others have stated, err on the side of caution.