This is asked a million times but, What is the max. lenght for a pistol barrel that's "LEGAL" . Or can it be any lenght???? I know a rifle has to be at least 16". I live in Ohio . does that make a difference? (STATE LAWS?) Thanks ,Jeff All I know You need over 5" to hunt with in Ohio. I shoot a Encore pistol!!!

This is asked a million times but, What is the max. lenght for a pistol barrel that's "LEGAL" . Or can it be any lenght???? I know a rifle has to be at least 16". I live in Ohio . does that make a difference? (STATE LAWS?) Thanks ,Jeff All I know You need over 5" to hunt with in Ohio. I shoot a Encore pistol!!!
I would seek confirming info. but to my limited knowledge there is no maximum length....within reason. I can shoot my 22" carbine barrel as a pistol if I choose......but like you said i can't shoot my 14" as a rifle. I have a 16 1/2 " barrel made up just to be able to switch if i like.

I'm sure you've seen the snub-nosed revolvers - barely an inch of barrel on some of them. Some of the "pepperbox" revolvers really don't have barrels - just slightly extended chambers.

To my knowledge a handgun has no restriction as far as minimun-maximum length. Rifles and shotguns are the ones that have federally imposed minimum lengths - nothing as far as maximum.

I'm sure you've seen the snub-nosed revolvers - barely an inch of barrel on some of them. Some of the "pepperbox" revolvers really don't have barrels - just slightly extended chambers.

To my knowledge a handgun has no restriction as far as minimun-maximum length. Rifles and shotguns are the ones that have federally imposed minimum lengths - nothing as far as maximum.

Don't know of a maximum....other than past a certain point you won't be able to hold it like a pistol.

Interresting...never though about it that way...if the barrel is long enough to make the OAL of the whole thing over 26", does it meet the BATF concept of a rifle?

The law states that in order for it to be a pistol it means "a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand." There is no limit on length so long as it does not have a butt stock, in which case it ceases to be a pistol. However, as I am sure you know, you cannot take a rifle, cut the stock off and make it a pistol. Pretty much, once a rifle, always a rifle and the only way to make it shorter (16" bbl, 26" OAL) is to SBR it. There is no catagory for a long barreled pistol like there is for a short barreled rifle.

Kdub,
I'm affraid that over here they have just imposed minimun barrel lengths of 100mm for relovers and 120mm for semi autos. Seems we all turn into killers if our barrels are too short. I handed in a 2" rossi, am getting $501.65 for it, it cost me $150 so I dont supose it was a bad investment.

Thanks Guy's, Jeff

Kdub,
I'm affraid that over here they have just imposed minimun barrel lengths of 100mm for relovers and 120mm for semi autos. Seems we all turn into killers if our barrels are too short. I handed in a 2" rossi, am getting $501.65 for it, it cost me $150 so I dont supose it was a bad investment.

This assumes criminals are too stupid to know how to work a hack-saw?

My "Girlfriend" calls Me "KILLER"!!!!

The Competitor can be had with bbls longer than 20" and still a handgun. What I want to know is how to legally have a Competitor rifle? 16+" bbl and somesort of shoulder stock. but how?

The Competitor can be had with bbls longer than 20" and still a handgun. What I want to know is how to legally have a Competitor rifle? 16+" bbl and somesort of shoulder stock. but how?

All you would have to do is find the shoulder stock and put it on. If the barrel is 16 or more inches, and the OAL is 26 inches or more, you are good to go.
This is the Federal law: In regards to the TC Contender, when the law was written there were no TC rifles made, only handguns and the conversion kit. It was ruled that the handgun could be swapped back and forth from handgun (less stock) to rifle (16"or more barrel with shoulder stock and OAL 26" or more) freely without violating the law so long as you never put the shoulder stock on with a less than 16 inch barrel (and to stay sqeaky clean, own a 16 inch or longer barrel if you own a shoulder stock). Then it gets muddy. Logic says that if you buy a TC rifle, you should be able to make it into a handgun also, but that is not the case. Once a rifle it must be SBRed to make it into a less than 16" bbl or an OAL of less than 26 inches. Stupid I know and it defies logic, but when is the ATFE logical? So, short answer to your question is all you need to do to turn a handgun into a 16+ inch barreled carbine is add a shoulder stock that has an OAL of 26+ inches. Finding the stock, now that is another story which I don't have a clue on.

If there are state laws in your state prohibiting the conversion then, of course, you cannot do it, but this is doubtful but you should check on that anyway. If you state allows the Contender handgun and conversion kit, you should be good to go.

All you would have to do is find the shoulder stock and put it on. If the barrel is 16 or more inches, and the OAL is 26 inches or more, you are good to go.


This part I know and understand. What I need to figure out is exactly how to do this with this particular model. The design doesn't exactly lend itself to this havinga nice shoulder stock.