Laws on shotgun barrel length?

Hey everyone i have a mossberg 500 and was getting the pistol grip top folding stock for it and wanted to know how short can my barrel be by law..Thanks?

thanks i have been seeing 18 and 18.5 and wanted to know which it was.

and another question i think the overall length has to be 26 and im getting a top folding stock so do i measure the overall length with stock open or folded then measure from the back of the pistol grip?

thanks for the fast response im all set to go now.

warhead1984 wrote:thanks i have been seeing 18 and 18.5 and wanted to know which it was.

Legally, it's 18. Commonly, though, they're made 18.5 for the safety margin, to prevent measurement errors from landing you in seriously hot water. The relevant definition is in 26 USC §5845(a).

fullermd wrote:Legally, it's 18. Commonly, though, they're made 18.5 for the safety margin, to prevent measurement errors from landing you in seriously hot water. The relevant definition is in 26 USC §5845(a).

The couple I have cut down have been 20". Most rookie cops don't know how to measure it and I don't want to be on the side of the road arguing with one. Never turns out good. Post some pic's when you are through.