National Firearms Act of 1934

[Gator 45/70]

https://archive.org/stream/NationalFirearmsActOf1934/National_Firearms_Act_of_1934_djvu.txt


Can anyone tell me when and why the NFA rifle barrel length was changed from 18" to 16"?

Originally, rifles and shotguns both had an 18" limit.

And this : "Machine gun." (b) The term "machine gun " means any weapon which shoots,
or is designed to shoot, automatically or semiautomatically, more
than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of
the trigger.

 

[GIJeaux]

I had heard it was done to allow the thousands of surplus rifles with barrels shorter than 18" entry into the US. A lot of carbines fell in this category like, 1894 Swede, all of the Carcano carbines, most of the Mauser made carbines (not short rifles) and, I am sure there are more.
I believe it was was lobbied for by surplus importers.

Al

 

[Gator 45/70]

I had heard it was done to allow the thousands of surplus rifles with barrels shorter than 18" entry into the US. A lot of carbines fell in this category like, 1894 Swede, all of the Carcano carbines, most of the Mauser made carbines (not short rifles) and, I am sure there are more.
I believe it was was lobbied for by surplus importers.

Al

Well that makes sense,Thanks

 

[GIJeaux]

I can't remember but, I think that I read that in a very old American Rifleman Magazine back when I was a kid.

Al