Barrel length

[tignme]

when measuring barrel length where do i measure from.
Want rimmie as short as possible to forend but legal. thx

[Yessir]

Bolt face.

[mr smith]

Yeah basically the start of the chamber.

[flintlok]

Bolt face.

[bedwards1966]

Don't try to leave less than 1/2 an inch more than the legal limit though.
a) you want to make it easy so that any idiot can measure it and clearly tell it isn't less than 12"
and
b) you should leave a little room at the end in case any work ever needs to be done in the future, such as if you damage the crown or moderator thread.

[tignme]

Thx all.

[ozone1]

.

Can the barrel length include a muzzle break?

ozone,

.

[Yessir]

Yes or moderator, as long as it's fixed.

[Cam]

.

Can the barrel length include a muzzle break?

ozone,

.

NO! It can't. Unless there has been a change since August 2014. IIIRC,There was/is a case involving a De Lilse carbine (short but shrouded barrel) where the owner was/is facing a s5 prosecution.

I have a very recent letter from the Home Office concerning this very matter. EDIT: See below

Cam





Reference: T10705/14
26 August 2014



Dear Mr Ross,

Thank you for your email of 10 August about the legislative controls on air weapons.

In your first question you ask whether air rifles that have a barrel of less than 30cm and are capable of discharging a missile in excess of 12 foot pounds would be classed as a section 5 prohibited weapon. Paragraph 2.44 of the Guide on Firearms Licensing Law 2014 sets out that an air rifle with a muzzle energy in excess of 12 foot pounds must be held on a firearm certificate. Any air pistol which either has a barrel less than 30cm in length or is less than 60cm in length overall, with a muzzle energy in excess of 6 foot lbs is a prohibited firearm.

In your second question you ask whether shrouds, silencers or any “add ons” can be claimed towards the barrel length. I can confirm that these items cannot be included within the overall length of the barrel.

I hope this has provided you with sufficient clarity.


Yours sincerely


B Mehmet
Email: Public.Enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

[Yessir]

You must be talking about detachable?, as there's dozens of examples of rifles being sold where a fixed moderator (or its one piece baffle stack) makes up a large portion of the legal barrel length.

[Cam]

You must be talking about detachable?, as there's dozens of examples of rifles being sold where a fixed moderator (or its one piece baffle stack) makes up a large portion of the legal barrel length.

Hi Yessir

Some shrouds are permanently fixed, but as you can see from the HO reply, they are not counted as part of the barrel length. Furthermore, back in August 2014, BASC's opinion was that silencers, even though permanently fixed, don't count as part of the OA barrel length.

Cam

[GHE]

You must be talking about detachable?, as there's dozens of examples of rifles being sold where a fixed moderator (or its one piece baffle stack) makes up a large portion of the legal barrel length.

Hi Yessir

Some shrouds are permanently fixed, but as you can see from the HO reply, they are not counted as part of the barrel length. Furthermore, back in August 2014, BASC's opinion was that silencers, even though permanently fixed, don't count as part of the OA barrel length.

Cam

In this case BASC seems to be erring on the side of caution, and personally I think that they're probably right on this - but remember that their opinion counts for squat, and anyone who ends up following their advice but breaking the law will end up still breaking the law, and up the creek without the proverbial paddle.

[smellywelly]

whats the definition of permanently fixed ? .. screw on, welded, push on (I doubt ) ? Screw on is not readily removed for example ?

[Asher]

You must be talking about detachable?, as there's dozens of examples of rifles being sold where a fixed moderator (or its one piece baffle stack) makes up a large portion of the legal barrel length.

Hi Yessir

Some shrouds are permanently fixed, but as you can see from the HO reply, they are not counted as part of the barrel length. Furthermore, back in August 2014, BASC's opinion was that silencers, even though permanently fixed, don't count as part of the OA barrel length.

Cam

Interesting stuff. There were quite a number of Mossberg 590 S1 shotguns available in the UK which had 18" barrels which had been extended to the legal 24" with permanently fitted (welded) birdcage or solid tubes prior to import & proof. These were, as far as I know, considered to have 24" barrels and therefore legal.

That HO reply doesn't specify a distinction between permanent and removeable add-ons, and I initially took it at face value that "add on" infers a temporary fixture. Is there a specific definition in the firearms act (given the Home Office are not immune to looking at things their own way)?

[Cam]

You must be talking about detachable?, as there's dozens of examples of rifles being sold where a fixed moderator (or its one piece baffle stack) makes up a large portion of the legal barrel length.

Hi Yessir

Some shrouds are permanently fixed, but as you can see from the HO reply, they are not counted as part of the barrel length. Furthermore, back in August 2014, BASC's opinion was that silencers, even though permanently fixed, don't count as part of the OA barrel length.

Cam

Interesting stuff. There were quite a number of Mossberg 590 S1 shotguns available in the UK which had 18" barrels which had been extended to the legal 24" with permanently fitted (welded) birdcage or solid tubes prior to import & proof. These were, as far as I know, considered to have 24" barrels and therefore legal.

That HO reply doesn't specify a distinction between permanent and removeable add-ons, and I initially took it at face value that "add on" infers a temporary fixture. Is there a specific definition in the firearms act (given the Home Office are not immune to looking at things their own way)?

The HO states that "any" odd-ons do not count! I would suggest that you email the HO.

Cam