Author Topic: Is the .410 the only shot gun barrel made... (Read 752 times)

SwampBuck · « **on:** November 21, 2004, 01:40:05 PM »

for the encore/contender pistol?

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2004, 10:31:59 AM »

Two major issues. Contenders and Encores are very different and barrels for one will not fit the other. As pistols you won't find 'ANY' new shotgun barrels for them as this is in violation of federal law (TC made some early on in .410).
As rifles, with butt stocks you may find a Contender ......410 and a very chosen few 28 ga. 's. As far as I know for a Encore you will find 20 and 12 ga.

C A Plater · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2004, 10:35:14 AM »

The Encore has 20 and 12 ga. full length barrels available and I recall a custom 28 gauge barrel for the Contender but doubt it is available today.

Doc T · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2004, 05:31:39 AM »

The T/C Custom shop now offers a 24" 28ga vent rib barrel complete with 3 screw in chokes. Add $30 to the price of the regular bull barrel. The cheapest would be $285. Pretty steep for a single shot shotgun but I guess that's not the point.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2004, 12:05:07 PM »

You find the .410 offered i pistol form because it is close in measure to the .45 colt. The .410/.45 colt bbls have rifling in them, thus making them legal and not in violation of the GCA. Since any other shotshell is nowheres near compatabile with a centerfire rifle or pistol cartridge, and making a smoothbore shotgun pistol would be illegal you will not find a pistol length shotgun bbl (18" is the shortest a smoothbore shotgun bbl can be.)
Brian M.

rickyp · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2004, 03:31:41 PM »

Quote from: New Hampshire

You find the .410 offered i pistol form because it is close in measure to the .45 colt. The .410/.45 colt bbls have rifling in them, thus making them legal and not in violation of the GCA. Since any other shotshell is nowheres near compatabile with a centerfire rifle or pistol cartridge, and making a smoothbore shotgun pistol would be illegal you will not find a pistol length shotgun bbl (18" is the shortest a smoothbore shotgun bbl can be.)
Brian M.

Now what about making a rifled 15 inch 12 ga encore barrel for slug use only?

C A Plater · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2004, 04:16:20 PM »

Quote from: rickyp

Now what about making a rifled 15 inch 12 ga encore barrel for slug use only?

To be legal it must be 18 inches for a shotgun, rifled or not.

skb2706 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2004, 02:55:42 AM »

As pistols you won't find 'ANY' new shotgun barrels [/b]

New Hampshire · « **Reply #8 on:** November 24, 2004, 12:09:02 PM »

Quote from: rickyp

Quote from: New Hampshire
You find the .410 offered i pistol form because it is close in measure to the .45 colt. The .410/.45 colt bbls have rifling in them, thus making them legal and not in violation of the GCA. Since any other shotshell is nowheres near compatabile with a centerfire rifle or pistol cartridge, and making a smoothbore shotgun pistol would be illegal you will not find a pistol length shotgun bbl (18" is the shortest a smoothbore shotgun bbl can be.)
Brian M.

Now what about making a rifled 15 inch 12 ga encore barrel for slug use only?

As C A Plater said, the bbl MUST be 18" or longer, rifled or not, if it is STRICTLY a shotgun bbl. Like I mentioned (but should have elaborted a bit more,) is that the .45 colt/.410 bbls are legal simply because the intended chambering is for the .45 colt. That it can be made to fire the .410 shotshell is a (lucky?) happenstance for the owners of said bbl. NOW, if you could find a straight walled pistol round chambered gun that was almost similar to the measurements of the 12ga shell, then conceivebly it would be legal.
Brian M.

KYODE · « **Reply #9 on:** November 24, 2004, 01:52:17 PM »

well :? if the barrel is 18" long....can ya then shoot it as a pistol?

New Hampshire · « **Reply #10 on:** November 25, 2004, 02:05:45 AM »

Thats an interesting one, KYODE. Im not really sure. I dont really know if there is an overal length that must be adhered to (like with rifles.) So I cant really say yes or no.
Brian M.

P.S. I should also mention that it is legal to modify shotguns to sub 18" lengths. However you first have to get permission from BATFE, pay a permit fee and register it as a destructive device or class III (?) firearm.
And I am not sure if the laws apply to short bbld or pistol shotguns that are Blackpowder muzzel loaders.

C A Plater · « **Reply #11 on:** November 25, 2004, 02:20:40 AM »

Quote from: KYODE

well :? if the barrel is 18" long....can ya then shoot it as a pistol?

If I recall correctly, the overall length must be 26" too. There are plenty of legal shotguns with pistol grips and no butt stock and they are all at least 26" OAL. State regulations may vary.