Thread: Gun too short.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

What firearms require barrel length measurement? I'm aware of overall length but not barrel length in the legislation.

None (legally, see what systolic says below), it's the just way the police explained how they measure the end of the barrel.

Originally Posted by systolic

Pistols on a B endorsement have to have a minimum four inch barrel.
That's not in law, but is something to do with the agreement between the cops and Pistol NZ I think.
There's a couple of approved pistols with barrels under four inches, but are approved because they are only designed for ISSF type target shooting.

Basically right. Personally not aware of examples where under 4" barrels are approved however. PNZ agreed to this with police, so they treat it like they have some law to back it up. There's non PNZ clubs that have not agreed to anything PNZ have said.

Originally Posted by Square22

@Jexla also https://www.pistolnz.org.nz/blog/759038

See what is said at the top of that link.

Not trying to start an argument at all, just trying to clarify. I think your document may be the 'old' one that the blog refers to which the measuring interpretation was later changed?

It makes sense to me as removing the stock (but not buffer tube) from an AR-15 rifle is probably faster than removing a lot of muzzle devices and it would also reduce the length. You would lose the detent pin if you removed the stock but the rifle would still be able to be fired.

Alright, for one, the document I linked is on the police website so is far more valid than anything on any blog. Secondly it says:

“To determine overall length of the MSSA the measuring should start from the closed or folded stock position to the end of the flash suppressor, providing the flash suppressor is firmly fixed to the firearm in such a way that a tool is required to remove it.”

Now, reading that it first says MSSA, so that excludes ALL A category firearms, then it also says "flash suppressor" so that implies 'flash hiders' only, not muzzle breaks or suppressors.

Originally Posted by Square22

@Spanners Are there any pistol nz staff / kiwi gun blog authors on the forum ?

Thirdly, I'm a FOUNZ editor and a PNZ member who takes great interest in this stuff if that cuts the cake for ya