NFA experts: IS this shotgun a SBS?
I have a 1960's vintage Westernfield M550A, aka Mossberg 500. It was put into service at a police department after having its 24" turkey barrel cut down, presumably by a smith, since the cut is clean appears to function as it should.
My problem is its size. I have some pictures to explain my ramblings. When the gun is assembled, measuring from the end of the receiver to the end of the barrel, it is 17.5"...
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.04.39.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.04.52.jpg
You can see the wear line I am measuring from.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.02.29.jpg
This is the same measuring line with the barrel removed:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.02.50.jpg
This is what the receiver side of the barrel looks like:
It has a short and long side.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S5...2023.35.04.jpg
Measuring from the long side to the end of the barrel, uninstalled, it is 19.5"
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.01.45.jpg
From the "short" side of the receiver end to the barrel end it is 18.5"
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.00.59.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.00.42.jpg
My question is:
Which is the legal way to determine the barrel length?
Like this, at 18.5"
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.00.42.jpg
Or from the end of the receiver where the barrel is exposed as indicated by the wear ring on the barrel:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.02.29.jpg
17.5"
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_leflAGmZllI/S6...2010.04.39.jpg