Thread: Muzzle device counts as part of minimum length?

Does a muzzle device that is screwed on with a crush washer count as the total length of your rifle?

I have been told yes by quite a few people, just wondering of anyone has heard different?

I'm building an sbr upper hence the question and plan to use an Ase Utra Borelock can which locks on to the muzzle brake. Cheers.

Yes, a semi-permanent muzzle attachment is counted as part of the overall length. Semi-permanent means mechanically attached and requires some effort or tools to remove. A simple threaded muzzle can may not (in the eyes of a Judge) qualify if it can be simply unscrewed by hand. If you were charged with having a pistol with the can removed, but it was attached when you were arrested, then you would have a fairly good defence.

Sweet will be sorted with the bore lock muzzle device, cheers man.

I thought the end of your rifling was where it was stopping at and that was it?

As far as im aware if its permanently attached it’s counted if it can be simply unscrewed etc no it’s not counted @kimjon would be someone who would know also
He’s got a super short 223 and made it so his supressor counted in his oal

Originally Posted by Friwi

I thought the end of your rifling was where it was stopping at and that was it?

How would that work for smooth bores?

Isn’t there a pending court case regarding the Police B/E length interpretation?

Originally Posted by stretch

Isn’t there a pending court case regarding the Police B/E length interpretation?

What's the case details?

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

As far as im aware if its permanently attached it’s counted if it can be simply unscrewed etc no it’s not counted @kimjon would be someone who would know also
He’s got a super short 223 and made it so his supressor counted in his oal

What about a muzzle device that is screwed on with acrush washer spanned etc ?. Surely it must be counted as AR''s are modular systems

write an email to Police HQ and ask them instead of guys on a forum...

it is worth risking your license for ?

if it is an issue, just get it pinned to make it "permanent"

Originally Posted by ebf

write an email to Police HQ and ask them instead of guys on a forum...

it is worth risking your license for ?

if it is an issue, just get it pinned to make it "permanent"

Will do cheers

i have an allen head grub screw securing my muzzle brake on. requires an allen key to remove it so its a fixture

Originally Posted by ebf

write an email to Police HQ and ask them instead of guys on a forum...

it is worth risking your license for ?

if it is an issue, just get it pinned to make it "permanent"

Do that and you risk getting some officer's opinion rather than legal fact! Believe me, there are plenty of opinions in PNHQ that reflect personal bias rather than legal fact. The Arms Act simply states "overall length" which is defined in the Oxford dictionary (such definitions being acceptable in NZ Courts) as the distance from one end to the other, the greatest possible lineal dimension, etc. The police will tell you that the length is measured parallel to the bore but that is not the case as that only measures from the muzzle to a point in space. The correct length measurement is from one end point to the furthest end point (usually from the muzzle to the toe of the butt). The act merely states "overall length" and that includes attachments which can be readily removed with a screwdriver or other tool. Always remember that the LAW over-rides any police 'policy' and our laws are protected by a 'plain English' requirement (in other words they mean what they say in plain English and not some bureaucrat's interpretation).