HD Barrel

[gWebber]

Well, you aren't supposed to have one in the chamber. In fact, for all that is Holy please DO NOT measure your bore with a live round in the chamber.

Yes, that seemed like a highly questionable idea to me.

[BKinzey]

Well, you aren't supposed to have one in the chamber. In fact, for all that is Holy please DO NOT measure your bore with a live round in the chamber.

Yes, that seemed like a highly questionable idea to me.

Yeah, well, there's that.

[gWebber]

UPDATE:

I was talking to a gun shop owner (long time shotgunner) and he gave an excellent reason for why 18.5” vs 18” and how it is measured.

Yes, another person here was correct (mostly) the correct way to measure is from barrel end to the bolt face with breach closed.
And yes a “Rod” can be used, but not generally how it goes.

Now here’s where it gets interesting ....

Legally speaking 18” is the minimum length BUT !

Let’s say you’re out hunting or shooting or whatever...
and some type of law enforcement officer wants to “inspect” your gun. He’s likely to use a tape measure and run it down the barrel to the bolt face .....

Now if the officer doesn’t like you ... he can “flex” (bow it inside the barrel) the tape measure and suddenly your 18” barrel is 17.5” and you’ve got trouble. I.E. he has probably cause to search you car, truck, home, whatever and you’ll likely need to go to court to get your gun back ... and if the Judge is anti-gun , you have real issues.

The 18.5” barrel gives you a safety margin making this trick more difficult if even possible. So while 18” it technically legal ... a bit longer could save you troubles.