The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

So, shotgun minimum length is 40". Where do you measure it if it has got an adjustable stock? From the shortest possible position to the barrel end? (Pls note: not foldable or collapsable). Me short and got issues with LOP on some guns. Read confusing information on the net. Lost.

londonercsecse wrote:So, shotgun minimum length is 40". Where do you measure it if it has got an adjustable stock? From the shortest possible position to the barrel end? (Pls note: not foldable or collapsable). Me short and got issues with LOP on some guns. Read confusing information on the net. Lost.

Shortest configuration in which it can be discharged is the figure you need to use.

There was a case where the folding stock of a firearm / shotgun totally obstructed the action and trigger and thus could not be discharged when folded and that was deemed as compliant even though it was under 40"

The 40" minimum length is for semi auto and pump actions, isn't it?

It would be a pump. Can't get proper grip on forend -beacuse of short arms of mine- and with an adjustable stock LOP could be around 12" for me. Using junior stock on another gun at the moment... So, original qustion: length is measured from the shortest possible setting of stock? Yes or no? Read elswhere on a semi/pump with not fixed stock it is measured from end of receiver...

Shortest setting

saddler wrote:The 40" minimum length is for semi auto and pump actions, isn't it?

Yes, as an example you can legally own a side by side Section 1 shotgun that is covered by the 12/12 rule so a 12" barrel and 24" overall length as a minimum.

(OK technically it is now 300,0mm/300,0mm however 12/12 keeps you on the safe side of things)

ovenpaa wrote:Yes, as an example you can legally own a side by side Section 1 shotgun that is covered by the 12/12 rule so a 12" barrel and 24" overall length as a minimum.

Would this cover a triple-barrel too, I wonder? :)

http://www.chiappafirearms.com/products/135

Urm.... my view is no.

FencepostError wrote:

ovenpaa wrote:Yes, as an example you can legally own a side by side Section 1 shotgun that is covered by the 12/24 rule so a 12" barrel and 24" overall length as a minimum.

Would this cover a triple-barrel too, I wonder? :)

http://www.chiappafirearms.com/products/135

My view would be yes. The 40" rule only applies to pump action and semi-auto's - every other S1 shotgun just has to conform to the 12/24 rule.

ovenpaa wrote:Urm.... my view is no.

Hmm, I think this is the part of the 1988 act which makes short pumps/semi-autos section 5:

any self-loading or pump-action smooth-bore gun which is not chambered for .22 rim-fire cartridges and either has a barrel less than 24 inches in length or (excluding any detachable, folding, retractable or other movable butt-stock) is less than 40 inches in length overall;

So perhaps it would be allowed on S1. It seems this has been discussed before:

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... 2&start=20

It seems a pretty impractical thing compared to a more modern mechanism, but for some strange reason I still want one.