Originally Posted by rafsob
Not to get off the subject or side lined, but does MLs have any restrictions as to length for a rifle? You know as to federal laws? I was thinking of having my bugled Hawken .54 barrel cut down and crowned, but it would end up around 15" overall. Would that be legal?
Originally Posted by SuperKirby
Not totally sure but I believe it's the same as rifle/handgun regulations. I would check with your state and BATFE, but I believe it's 16 or 16 1/2 inches for a rifle. I don't know that for sure though.
Originally Posted by
rafsob
Yeah, I know the rifle law, but a mL or BP gun is not supposed to be a gun. That is why I asked. Just an idea to toy with.
Check your state laws and with environmental conservation LEO's.
Most states simply follow the Federal laws for firearms. But here in CT there's a state law that defines a rifle/long gun as one with a barrel 12" or more. That's important because even though muzzle loaders aren't a firearm under Federal laws, the EnCon Officers use that state law to determine the legality of weapons for use during hunting seasons. So even if the muzzle loader has a pistol stock, if the barrel is 12" or more it's still legally a rifle and can be used for deer hunting. But not if it's under 12 inches.
It's the same for small game muzzle loader hunting on state land where the hunting regulations specify rifle for using the maximum size .36 single projectile for black powder hunting. And using this same definition, a shotgun must also have a barrel 12" or more or it's considered to be a pistol and not a shotgun.