Barrel Length

[stash]

Is it legal here in Texas to own a rifle with a 16 in. barrel length? I have been looking at some Puma lever action rifles in that barrel length in 44, 45 Colt and 454 but am not sure of the legality of that length barrel. I would like to get one of these because I already have revolvers in these calibers. Thanks

[seamusTX]

It is legal in Texas to own a rifle with a barrel that is 16 inches or longer. It is an offense to own a shorter rifle, but having a federal tax stamp is a defense to prosecution.

The relevant Texas statute is PC §46.05.

From everything I've read, the barrel had better be something like 16.1 inches, or in the case of shotguns, 18.1. BATFE has been said to measure barrels with rubber rulers.

As usual, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice.

- Jim

[stash]

Thanks Jim. I think I will just forgo the 16 in. one. They do have them in 20 in. I just thought 16 in. would be a good length for HD.

Stan

[10mmillie]

The Federal rule is 16" for rifles and 18" for shotguns. Anything under these has to a have a tax stamp for SBR or SBS or AOW. The rifle you are looking at is perfectly legal at 16", having had one in the past they are also nice and handy.

[seamusTX]

It's very unlikely an FFL dealer would not sell anything illegally, because the penalties for them are much worse than for simple possession.

People seem to get in trouble with short barrels when they cut down a longer shotgun or rifle on their own.

- Jim

[mr surveyor]

It's very unlikely an FFL dealer would (...) sell anything illegally, because the penalties for them are much worse than for simple possession.

People seem to get in trouble with short barrels when they cut down a longer shotgun or rifle on their own.

- Jim

though I might "fix" it for you

surv

[seamusTX]

Freudian slip, I guess.

- Jim

[USMC-COL]

Is it legal here in Texas to own a rifle with a 16 in. barrel length? I have been looking at some Puma lever action rifles in that barrel length in 44, 45 Colt and 454 but am not sure of the legality of that length barrel. I would like to get one of these because I already have revolvers in these calibers. Thanks

A 16" barrel is completely legal on a rifle. Many of us have and use M4s with 16" barrels for 3-Gun matches and other events. A 16" barrel is the preferred length at many competitions involving close quarters. I enjoy using my Bushy M4 at the range for 3-Gun competitions and practice.