Cruiser question

[Hayashi Killian]

[CHS]

You're right. Cruisers are not technically "shotguns".

They are Title 1 long guns that fire shotgun ammunition.

You could legally even cut one down to less than an 18" barrel if the overall length didn't go under 26" (then it would be an AOW). But I'm pretty sure they're something like 27" long, so there wouldn't be any point to a <18" barrel.

Also, you're wrong about AOW's. A short barreled shotgun is a short barreled shotgun. PERIOD. But remember, a shotgun has a buttstock An AOW is basically a 12ga pistol. Not a short barreled shotgun with a pistol grip.

[CHS]

...so wouldn't a shotgun that came stockless not be considered a shotgun but an AOW, since it meets none of the other criteria of other firearms? What about shotguns that were purchased with a stock, but had it removed later on?

A 12ga Title 1 long gun (stockless) is not an AOW because it has an overall length greater than 26". It doesn't become an AOW unless it dips below that length. There are no barrel length minimums.

If you purchase a shotgun with a stock, but remove it later on, it's still legally a shotgun, but you remain legal as long as you don't go below 26" overall and 18" barrel. If you do either of those, then it becomes an SBS, and not an AOW.

[Hayashi Killian]

Excellent, nice to be reminded that the law is more contorted than an MC Escher painting. Not to doubt you, but do you have a reference?

[CHS]

http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/2000_ref.htm

There's also an ATF opinion letter out there that states a 1919 with a 10" barrel is perfectly legal and not an SBR because it never had a buttstock attached and doesn't fall under 26" OAL.

They did say that once a 1919 went below 26" though, it would be considered an AOW because it would still be too big and too unconventional to just be called a pistol.

[Hayashi Killian]

Alright, most excellent! If I'm ever in the Huntington Beach area I'll buy you a box of ammo or something for your good work.