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legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:11 pm
by kingkong5465
Hi
what is the legal maximum length of a hand gun in india?

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 10:57 pm
by PRITAM PATEL
no such thing is mentioned in arms act

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:41 pm
by Vineet
PRITAM PATEL wrote:no such thing is mentioned in arms act
It must be mentioned otherwise how does one differentiate between long barrel pistol and a carbine. Considering the fact that pistol being semi-auto is allowed for civilians where as a carbine is not.

What would our arms act call them, pistol or carbine

http://www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com/1475Carbine02C.htm

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:22 am
by kingkong5465
One freind told me it is 4" max.

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:27 am
by varunik
try contacting goodboy_mentor

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:41 am
by Vineet
kingkong5465 wrote:One freind told me it is 4" max.
No, its more than that. The IOF Anmol revolver has 5" barrel.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/ ... wMode=HTML

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:34 am
by TwoRivers
If it has a shoulder stock, it is a rifle or carbine, with a minimum barrel length in most jurisdictions. A "pistol" has no shoulder stock. Some jurisdictions limit overall, but not barrel length.

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:06 am
by Vineet
TwoRivers wrote:Some jurisdictions limit overall, but not barrel length.
Overall length can be changed with detachable shoulder stock. How does one deal with that?

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:27 am
by winnie_the_pooh
The only time there is a reference to barrel length in the Arms Act or the Arms Rules is

a)in the provision relating to modification of a firearm,where it is mentioned that no one shall cut down a barrel to less than 20"

and

b) in Schedule 1 of the Rules where arms are classified.Here the reference is to smooth bore guns

So,to answer the OP there is no maximum barrel length specified for a handgun.

I would also suggest that before answering,please look up the act/rules instead of speculating.No offense to any one.

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:30 am
by rraju2805
I heard that you can't change the barrel length , it is illegal..

Is it right ? ?

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:27 am
by winnie_the_pooh
rraju2805 wrote:I heard that you can't change the barrel length ,
Not unless you are a gunsmith who has a license to do so.

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 12:17 pm
by TwoRivers
Vineet: Rifles do not have detachable shoulder stocks. Takedown rifles are not usable when taken down. One deals with it by legislating against items that would circumvent the law. Or by defining in such a way that the law cannot be circumvented. "A pistol may not have a shoulder stock, and may not be longer overall than 20 inches."; "A rifle must have a minimum barrel length of 16", and a mimimum overall length of 28 inches."

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:00 pm
by Vineet
Thanks TwoRivers and WTP for the explanation.

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:16 pm
by winnie_the_pooh
Just to clarify further about change in barrel length,the Act and Rules only deal with shortening a firearm barrel,there is no reference to increasing the length.

While a rifle can have a barrel shorter than 20" as it comes from the manufacturer,however to shorten a longer barrel,you would require a license and can not shorten it to less than 20".

In case of a shotgun,the barrel has to be 20" or more.

In case of handguns,there is no minimum or maximum barrel length specified

Re: legal maximum barrel length

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:56 pm
by miroflex
TwoRivers wrote:If it has a shoulder stock, it is a rifle or carbine, with a minimum barrel length in most jurisdictions. A "pistol" has no shoulder stock. Some jurisdictions limit overall, but not barrel length.
Hi TwoRivers,

The broomhandle Mauser pistol came with a wooden holster which doubled as a detachable shoulder stock.

Regards.