Legal rifle barrel length

[nakneker]

Who knows the law when it comes to the legal length of a rifle barrel. I know it's 16in", I'm wanting to know how barrel length is measured. Is it the length of the barrel from where it begins at the action or is it the length of the barrel from the start of the threads. I guess another way to ask the question would be, is it the exposed length of the barrel or the total length of the barrel. No suppressor or tuner, just the barrel.

If you know the specifics I'd appreciate some enlightenment.

 

[USMCDOC]

I believe it is the face of the bolt.. i could be wrong.. i didn't look it up~

 

[Comrade Terry]

I've always understood it as being from the face of the bolt. I can't cite a source for that, though.

 

[DeadEyeDick45]

Breech face to the end of the muzzle.

 

[JRS]

The ATF standard is measured from bolt face to muzzle.

 

[Prose]

ATF has a website that shows how they measure with pictures of all different types of actions.

 

[nakneker]

ATF has a website that shows how they measure with pictures of all different types of actions.

I didn't find the pictures but I did find where they define the barrel length as the total length of the barrel, separate from the rifle. Total length once assembled has to be at least 26in". I should have thought to look at the ATF website, thanks for the direction.

I should have looked there first. I'll leave this thread up in case it helps someone else.

 

[wedgy]

I believe a shroud or muzzle brake counts as long as it is permanently attached.

 

[Shaggy357]

Unload your rifle, close the action. Take a cleaning rod and carefully slide into muzzle and continue until the cleaning rod touches the close face of the action. Mark cleaning rod with a sharpie at muzzle opening. Remove cleaning rod. Measure from tip of cleaning rod to sharpie marking. That is the length of your "barrel".

 

[hogpatrol]

"A rifle subject to the NFA has a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length. The ATF procedure for measuring barrel length is to measure from the closed bolt (or breech-face) to the furthermost end of the barrel or permanently attached muzzle device."

Google is your friend.

 

[Shaggy357]

ATF use a brass rod that is already marked. If their mark disappears, you are good to go.

For competition shooting with barrel length restrictions, if the mark for the appropriate length disappears, the gun will not qualify.

 

[Larryh128]

ATF in 1 case used a tape measure that was different from most. Give it another 1/4", I don't trust ATF.

 

[savagedasher]

Rifle and bolt hand gun are measured from the bolt face to the end of the barrel .
Wheel guns is the total barrel leingt .
Larry

 

[dogdude]

A few years back a ''Customer'' came to my smith with a mini 14 and wanted a New barrel to switch out, smith didn't like what he saw, measured the New barrel..it was 15.97.. that ''customer'' was an ATF agent!! ATF trying to put an honest smith Out of Business.
Don't trust the ATF!!

 

[C.E.Smith043]

A few years back a ''Customer'' came to my smith with a mini 14 and wanted a New barrel to switch out, smith didn't like what he saw, measured the New barrel..it was 15.97.. that ''customer'' was an ATF agent!! ATF trying to put an honest smith Out of Business.
Don't trust the ATF!!

Wow...thats not right. More like entrapment if u ask me.

 

[cdparker]

A few years back a ''Customer'' came to my smith with a mini 14 and wanted a New barrel to switch out, smith didn't like what he saw, measured the New barrel..it was 15.97.. that ''customer'' was an ATF agent!! ATF trying to put an honest smith Out of Business.
Don't trust the ATF!!

Yah, Ask Randy Weaver all about that!

 

[people]

Yah, Ask Randy Weaver all about that!

Yup that is why we need to get on jury duty.