Black Powder Shotgun

[Schreiber]

At the range today I watched a guy repeatedly load his black powder pistol with what looked like #8 shot. Isn't that an illegal short barreled shotgun? I asked him and he said muzzleloaders don't count.

[AMMOe]

He's 100% correct. Muzzleloaders "don't count" when it comes to the National Firearms Act. You can have a shoulder stock on a BP revolver if you wish, or a BP double barreled coach gun with 14" barrels.

It should be noted that as long as the pistol has rifling to any extent, a modern pistol can legally shoot shot cartridges. Back when I was starting out in gunsmithing, the gunsmith I worked for used to convert the then-cheaply-had S&W and Colt M-1917 45 ACP revolvers to shoot shot. We'd pull the barrel and ream the rifling out from the rear to within 3/4" of the muzzle. We made cylinder length shot cartridges from shortened 30-06 cases and loaded them with #8 and #9 shot. The local farmers liked them. They could shoot the occasional grouse and still get OK accuracy from a bullet by virtue of that bit of rifling. Because of that rifling, it was still a legal pistol. ~Andy

[cak291]

Holy craps
Just when I think I'd heard of everything.

Hey, I do not dispute anyone's knowledge.
I honestly thought I'd read of every law pertaining to BPs.

I for one would not try running around with a double-barrel 12 guage sawed off to 14 inches. Legal or otherwise, I know it'd be a one-way ticket to jail on mega felonies. If I had sawed it off replica no longer applies.

I have read of hunting regs somewhere on this very topic and as I recall it is a NO NO. I do not recall where, only you cannot load up a BP Pistol with BBs to hunt game. I am talking Calif regs too.

I turkey hunt with a BP 12 guage. Everyonce in awhile I do read those regs.

People come out shooting at gun ranges around me, shoot full automatic M-16s to Street Sweepers.. Why of course this gun is legal, I am a District Attorney or judge or whatever.

I just do my own thing. I see nothing!!!!

I do keep a 50 caliber TM Scout Pistol ready to be quick loaded with buckshot.
130 grains of powder, Blow the house down, then worry about legalities.
If that fails, throw that 7 pound horse at um, guaranteed they'd be mortally wounded. I shot a big bear with it once, a grizzly. 530+ grain bullet, 150 grains
of powder. He saw I was getting into a throwing position and gave up the ghost.
Hoooooo, gotta go, still laughing remembering that ordeal.
Never had to go potty for a week afterwords.
cak

[cak291]

Andy,
I am not a know-it-all nor a full skeptic.
Especially, I am not POSTING to put anyone down.

You used one term that throws me, "National Firearms Act."
I have run up against the law a time or three.
All I know is, Federal does not apply to California, nor does it apply to
local laws.

A mere quick reading of those laws and it clearly says, "Check with all state and local ordinances."

Gun Laws in Bluelake, CA are entirely different than say San Francisco.

My POST is, Don't rely on any Federal or National Firearms Laws.
cak

[Schreiber]

I was thinking I owed my friend an apology. We went hunting many years ago and he produced what he called a .41 cal revolver loaded with cut down shot shells. I told him he was crazy, that he was going to get me in trouble and ended up taking the Greyhound bus home. Yes, I am uptight about the criminal justice system.
I've heard all sorts of stuff about BP firearms- like you can carry one loaded and uncapped in the glovebox or otherwise concealed- I just can't believe that one.
Andy- thanks for the responses. Even if it is legal it seems a little to scary to walk the edge. I can't afford lawyers, plus I think the twinkie defense only works of you kill someone..

[cak291]

I'm with you Schreiber
Boy, anything at all to do with guns and criminal justice system

I want to know at all times that I am well within the law.

As for packing a loaded BP in a vehicle.
You are correct.
Yet any cop finding that gun and things can get ugly in a hurry.
No valid Hunting License, you are in deep trouble.
Few friends I shoot and drink with are CHPs or retired CHPs.
Each person can rattle off different Vehicle Codes and so on as to why having that gun like that is illegal and a trip to jail.

Now if one reads the codes, firearm pistol must be kept in a locked container
with the ammunition in a separate compartment of the vehicle.
Glove box is not considered a separate lockable compartment.
Federal BP Replica laws don't get it with them.

I have a Bronco. I'm SOL, no separate compartments anywhere.
I had a safe made that fits under the center console.
Still, no one will tell me if that is legal.

All this gun business is so touchy, no one knows for sure about anything.

According to that Patriot Act and Anti-terrorist Laws, don't even get caught crossing any state line with any firearm. OK, I like to hunt in several different states. I've yet to find any source for clearcut answers.
I stop at the nearest border town and inform State Police, I have guns, I am driving thru.
They look at me like I am off my rocker.

To me it is a frightening game. That Law, interstate transporting a firearm is a law, I have read in newspapers of the Law hanging it onto people.
Nasty Felony with no defense to it.

I just make sure I have a valid Hunting License of the state I am going to.
I stop at border towns, I care less if they look at me like I am off my rocker.

We must all be a really stubborn bunch of people.
Laws ontop of laws ontop of laws stacked against us yet we keep kicking.
Whar's our buddy, Diane Feinstein to protect us????? Haaaaaaa

The state loves our money, all those Hunting License Fees.
Just don't get caught shooting a gun. As far as I am concerned almost all of S. Calif. is NO SHOOTING. Ask anyone in the County you live in, where are the NO SHOOTING boundries? Ask any cop. ALL start pointing to mountain tops, and clear over to that part in the desert and then over to,,,,,,,,,,
Each cop has his own NO SHOOTING zone ideas.

No guns allowed within 1500 feet of a school. Righ!
There's some kind of school on every highway and major street everywhere.
Oh man, just take me away and lock me up. I am guilty of countless Felonies all the time. New school started up next to my backyard.
I got loaded guns all over the place. I am one baaaaaaaaaad criminal.
We, none of us can win. Law could come down on all of us and bury us.

cak