Shotguns, barrel length, and laws?

[5532JWK]

I cut off my 870 barrel with a tubing cutter and it came out fine.

[RSJ]

I was thinking of shortening my 870, but cheaper than dirt sells HD barrels for like $100.

[5532JWK]

Yes, that is a good price on those barrels.

[KaiserB]

There is a federal limit of 18 inches. If you go shorter than that, you have to apply for a $200 permit from the atf for a Short Barreled Shotgun, or SBS.

As long as you have the tax stamp and federal paperwork, a shorter barrel is legal in Texas. WITH THE PROPER PAPERWORK. Can't emphasize that enough...if you take a hacksaw to a shotgun and take it down to 14 inches, you're inviting yourself to a nice vacation in a federal pen.

You MUST have the paperwork BEFORE doing the modifications IIRC. There is also a minimum overall length regardless of barrel also.

you also have to get the receiver etched with the manufacturer (i.e. the person doing the mods)

[RSJ]

Why are rifles 16.5, and shotguns 18 anyways?

[74novaman]

Why are rifles 16.5, and shotguns 18 anyways?

The feds picked arbitrary numbers. Kind of like some state's 10 round mag limit. Why 10? Because thats the number they picked. No good reasoning behind it.

[speedsix]

...I use a power chopsaw for cutting wood with a 10" carbide tipped blade...shim around the tube to insure a square cut (correct the angle for the taper...wind the saw up full speed and ease it down through it...neat, clean, square...quick...no marks on the barrel...