SBR Legality Question - The Firearms Forum

45Smashemflat · 09-15-2004, 08:16 AM

This is similar to the earlier post on sawed off shot guns. What's the technical definition of a SBR? Here is why I am asking. I can buy a 10.5" barrell for my 1927 Thompson, and pay the NFA stamp costs to have it installed. Total bill will be around $500 tax, tag, valve stems, etc....

Since I've got the long barrell now, I'm wondering 2 things - a.) maybe I want one shorter than 10.5", so perhaps the right move is to just have this one cut - Call it a $300 bill. b.) if the shortest legal length, without being a SBR is 11", maybe I'll just cut this one down to that and save the NFA fees if 10.5" is as short as I can go with the current set up of the gun - I have not measured all the details yet. For a 1/2" - I'll stick with a legal (untaxed)length and save the NFA stamp.

Thoughts, opinions?

CountryGunsmith · 09-15-2004, 01:31 PM

Minimum length for a rifle barrel is 16", including any permanently added on muzzle brakes, etc.

Shortening that barrel to any overall length less than 16" will require registration as a SBR. If you do that, and then decide to CHANGE the barrel length (say, 10.5" to 7") you would have to go through the entire registration process again.

45Smashemflat · 09-15-2004, 02:26 PM

Alrighty, guess that answers that - can't go the cheap way. Figure I'll spend a bit of time with a tape and figure out what I want and got the appropriate NFA route.

On a similar note, the bottom sorta fell out of the drum magazine business today - Kahr has 50 rounders on sale for $285..... Already getting one on order.

09-15-2004, 08:16 AM	#1
45Smashemflat Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,494	SBR Legality Question This is similar to the earlier post on sawed off shot guns. What's the technical definition of a SBR? Here is why I am asking. I can buy a 10.5" barrell for my 1927 Thompson, and pay the NFA stamp costs to have it installed. Total bill will be around $500 tax, tag, valve stems, etc.... Since I've got the long barrell now, I'm wondering 2 things - a.) maybe I want one shorter than 10.5", so perhaps the right move is to just have this one cut - Call it a $300 bill. b.) if the shortest legal length, without being a SBR is 11", maybe I'll just cut this one down to that and save the NFA fees if 10.5" is as short as I can go with the current set up of the gun - I have not measured all the details yet. For a 1/2" - I'll stick with a legal (untaxed)length and save the NFA stamp. Thoughts, opinions? -->

09-15-2004, 01:31 PM	#2
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	Re: SBR Legality Question Minimum length for a rifle barrel is 16", including any permanently added on muzzle brakes, etc. Shortening that barrel to any overall length less than 16" will require registration as a SBR. If you do that, and then decide to CHANGE the barrel length (say, 10.5" to 7") you would have to go through the entire registration process again. __________________ The autonomic nervous system provides for involuntary muscle function - the work of breathing, digestion, and so forth. On some folks, that's a pure waste of ingenuity.

09-15-2004, 02:26 PM	#3
45Smashemflat Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,494	Re: SBR Legality Question Alrighty, guess that answers that - can't go the cheap way. Figure I'll spend a bit of time with a tape and figure out what I want and got the appropriate NFA route. On a similar note, the bottom sorta fell out of the drum magazine business today - Kahr has 50 rounders on sale for $285..... Already getting one on order.