Rifle barrel length question

[winnre]

Okay basically the law says a rifle barrel needs to be 16" to be legal. But there are shorter barrels that you can get, like a 14" CAR-15 barrel or maybe even a 10.5", but as long as you have a pinned/welded flash suppressor or barrel extension you are legal, at least from the things I have seen for sale. Turner's has a nice UZI /22LR with fake suppressor, but you need the can to get the length required by law.

So... why a barrel extension/can/big flash suppressor? Except for the barrel extension which is uncommon, the other additions do not make any contact with the bullet, so technically the barrel is still shorter than law, but the law is fine with the barrel LOOKING the proper length. Is that how it works?

So why can I not add a 10" bayonet and have that count? Does it have to be round and metal? Just how does it work?

[Massan]

Simply put, a short barrel can be hidden easier and thus is evil. A short barrel with a permanent extension makes it the standard length and cant be hidden as easily thus is fine. A bayonet does not make the "barrel" longer as it does not extend the barrel length as an extension does, just the OAL if you count it despite being an accessory.

Im sure someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly to explain better.

[Quiet]

[Jason25]

Very good

[dg29]

Ok, here's another question. A rifle with a 16" barrel and a functioning folding stock. When stock is folded the rifle is required to be 30 inches or longer from the end of the receiver to the end on the barrel. If a extended muzzle device is required to accomplish is this said muzzle device required to be welded or pined and welded, or can it be removable since the barrel is 16 inches long?

[CSACANNONEER]

Ok, here's another question. A rifle with a 16" barrel and a functioning folding stock. When stock is folded the rifle is required to be 30 inches or longer from the end of the receiver to the end on the barrel. If a extended muzzle device is required to accomplish is this said muzzle device required to be welded or pined and welded, or can it be removable since the barrel is 16 inches long?

Different laws are at play here. As long as the barrel is +16", there is no requirement for permanency of etra attachments to make OAL for a folding stock configured gun.