CA legal rifles must have 16in barrel???

[chico13]

ok call me ignorant but as far as i can tell a rifle in ca no matter what the caliber excluding a 50cal must have a 16in barrel??

[ojisan]

Yes, both CA and Federal law is 16" minimum for a rifle, 18" minimum for a shotgun.

Welcome to CalGuns.

[pontiacpratt]

The barrel could be 10" long in CA.....but you'd have a 6" long muzzle device permanently attached.

[DannyInSoCal]

And dont forget about the minimum overall length...

[ARfiend]

The barrel could be 10" long in CA.....but you'd have a 6" long muzzle device permanently attached.

This. Plus the bad part is anyone that gets a barrel shorter than 16 and permanently fixes a longer muzzle break on it just took that much accuracy away from their rifle even though it ends up to be the same length. Just don't get it.

[Merc1138]

This. Plus the bad part is anyone that gets a barrel shorter than 16 and permanently fixes a longer muzzle break on it just took that much accuracy away from their rifle even though it ends up to be the same length. Just don't get it.

Uhh, as long as the rate of twist is imparted correctly on the projectile to stabilize it and the crown isn't screwed up, the barrel length affects velocity(and that's because it's an issue of how far the projectile is pushed with powder burning behind it while still contained so it speeds up), not accuracy(should only be an issue because it causes the round to become transonic and a shorter distance).

People aren't buying weapons with barrels under 16" to be able to shoot 1000 yards.

[huntercf]

If you want a shorter barrel "rifle" you may want to look into a pistol lower, however there are numerous rules that apply and unless you know them in and out it just isn't worth the risk. Keep in mind that not every LEO knows all the laws pertaining to guns (especially in CA) and you need to be careful you don't end up "detained" while they figure it out.

[motorwerks]

This. Plus the bad part is anyone that gets a barrel shorter than 16 and permanently fixes a longer muzzle break on it just took that much accuracy away from their rifle even though it ends up to be the same length. Just don't get it.

I bet my 14.5 with a fixed hider shoots just as good as 16 out to 100 yards. If I need to shoot farther then that, Ill grab a different gun off the shelf.

[Jpach]

This. Plus the bad part is anyone that gets a barrel shorter than 16 and permanently fixes a longer muzzle break on it just took that much accuracy away from their rifle even though it ends up to be the same length. Just don't get it.

Actually, a shorter barrel should be more precise than a longer one.

[JeffM]

It's an issue of practical accuracy. Higher velocity means less bullet drop at distance. Higher velocity also means better terminal performance from the 5.56/.223 bullets being used today.

[rero360]

I know for a fact that I can hit a man in the chest repeatedly at 500 meters with a 14.5" AR with Matech BUIS shooting 62gr. ammo.

[ARfiend]

Actually, a shorter barrel should be more precise than a longer one.

How do you figure, so if you have a pistol and a rifle that shoot the same exact bullet the pistol should be more accurate? Good luck with that. Guess that's why snipers use carbines huh.

[motorwerks]

How do you figure, so if you have a pistol and a rifle that shoot the same exact bullet the pistol should be more accurate? Good luck with that. Guess that's why snipers use carbines huh.

Less barrel whip, more "ridged" as compared to a longer barrel of the same contour.

I cant remember all of the details but I read something about it a while back.

this isnt the article I read and I only scanned it but whatever its someplace to start.

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

[rero360]

Less barrel whip, more "ridged" as compared to a longer barrel of the same contour.

I cant remember all of the details but I read something about it a while back.

this isnt the article I read and I only scanned it but whatever its someplace to start.

http://www.tacticaloperations.com/SWATbarrel/

Pretty much, There is a point where going shorter has a negative effect, due to the bullet not getting stabilized enough before it leaves the muzzle as well as loss of velocity becomes extreme. There is also a point where if you go too long, the bullet will start to slow down while its still in the barrel, just as bad.

It all depends on caliber, powder used and all that for what the optimal barrel lengths are.

[Daggermouth]

Pretty much, There is a point where going shorter has a negative effect, due to the bullet not getting stabilized enough before it leaves the muzzle as well as loss of velocity becomes extreme. There is also a point where if you go too long, the bullet will start to slow down while its still in the barrel, just as bad.

It all depends on caliber, powder used and all that for what the optimal barrel lengths are.

Agreed!! Us going from 14-16 is probably negligible

And I think when barrels get really long harmonics becomes an issue.