I just traded some black powder for an old Stevens 940 410 single shot. It is missing the wood stock and wood forend. It is rusty. A fun project gun!!!!

I plan on either making the wood stock/fore-end or as an option maybe buying one of them made already from Numrich.

I am thinking of cutting the barrel down to 18 inches and making a pistol stock for it and use it as a light weight back-pack gun.

My question is: how long does the overall length have to be to be legal?

Also does anyone else have one of these old Stevens singlke shot 410's. How well does yours shoot?

I don't know what state you are from but here in Michigan the law states.
Definition of a short barreled shotgun is a gun having 1 or more barrels LESS than 18 inches or an OVERALL LENGTH LESS THAN 26 inches. I don't know how relevant this info is where you live but I hope it helps some.

I had a Savage 94 in .410 with a full choke barrel. It was a dandy little gun passed down to me from my step-father. I almost shed a tear when I passed it on to my son. But it's the gun I learned to shoot with and the gun he learned to shoot with. I also gave him the old brown duck (fabric) carry case.

I'm sorry I can't answer your legal questions. As HAAS pointed out, you're better to check with your local authorities on legal questions.

The 18 inch shotgun barrel minimum and 26 inch overall length is also the federal requirement. This is covered under the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. You can verify this at the BATFE website. All the best...
Gil

Thanks guys. Yes that 26 inch overall length is what I was looking for. I am still considering options as far as which direction I will go on this little rifle. Numrich has the stock and stock bolt and trigger guard for about 56 bucks. That would make it at least 26 inches even if I cut the barrel. But I may also keep the barrel long for hunting and/or to keep it authentic.

It is in pretty rough shape but it will be a labor of love and yet I know I can make it look good again. The real question is (1) how will it shoot with current barrel? (2) How will it shoot IF I cut it down?

So I think I am leaning now toward starting with restoring her to original condition and if she shoots real well I may have to rethinik that cutting procedure... but is she shoots so so, well then... maybe.... But I cna see through the rust and years of grime and with a nice stock this can be one very sweet gun.

Ah the joy of restoration projects and old guns.