gun experts please tell me is it legal to shorten the stock off a shot gun not the barrel?

It depends on your state regulations really.

Federally your shotgun must have an overall length (end of stock to the muzzle of the barrel) of at least 26 inches. If you go below this, you need to register it, do paper work, and pay a fee.

So as long as your finished product is at least 26" long, you're good Federally. Just make sure you don't have more stringent state laws!

You do not have to look up tons of federal and state laws like all the other yahoo's here are saying. Otherwise the gun manufacturer's would have to make 50 different models to be legal in all the 50 different states.

The barrel - needs to be 18" long and the overall length should be 26" but no shorter.

I say 'should be' because in 39 states it is perfectly legal to own a sawed off/short barrel shotgun. However the paperwork (this I have done) is near identical to buying a machine gun (signed by the local police chief, fingerprint cards, photo and $200 tax stamp, takes 9 months to approve) just that instead of filling out a Form 4 for a machine gun it is done on a Form 1.

That's all there is to it. Since many shotguns made in the US are legal with a pistol grip added - I don't see why all the other guys answering this are being *******. How much smaller than a pistol grip can you go and still be able to hang on to the darn thing? Really??

Yes it is,

On most shotguns, even with an 18 inch barrel you can shorten the stock all the way up to eliminating all but the pistol grip.

That's why so many companies offer pistol gripped shotgun without being shut down by the feds.

There are also youth sized stocks that are sold, as a replacement or installed on new guns. That also tells us that shortening a stock to fit is legal

Plus it has been done for decades to accommodate smaller shooters, that's why companies finally started selling those youth stocks

Some people just need to make them selves look smarter by making the answer more complicated.

One in particular does this by acting like a jack *** and insulting anyone asking a simple question, especially when doesn't know the answer

No matter what, the shotgun must have an overall length of 26 inches.

There are some other concerns. Part of the definition of shotgun is something that is fired from the shoulder. Currently you can buy shotguns that have a total length of over 26 inches but who only have a pistol grip. These fall into a grey area of the law. Some people say these are simply 'firearms' and don't even fit the category of 'any other weapon'

A lot of gun rules come from arbitrary ATF rulings. This is an area where the ATF might have some very odd and potentially dangerous rulings .

Also some states have rules about pistol-grip-only shotguns.

With those two in mind, I recommend if you trim down your stock you don't trim it so short you only have a one-hand pistol grip, but have a good few inches of stock behind it so you can put it on your shoulder.

You're into gun modification? I just bet you are.

I'd highly recommend you read the National Firearms Act of the United States Code defining a Title I and Title II firearm, specifically about "short barrelled shotguns."

There is an overall length requirement of 26 inches. If the gun is 26 inches or longer, you're good. If it's under 26 inches overall length, now you have an NFA weapon, according to US Federal law.

The part which can really put you in a hurt locker is how the measurements are done. It's not up to your measurements, it's up to the measurements of the agent who comes to see what he can throw you in the slammer for.

So, enjoy your hobby and you might want to get educated on it real quick.

Furthermore, states have their own regulations on short barrels and short stocks. So again, you really need to get educated. This question is not one that can be answered, partially because states have different laws, and partially because you haven't given enough information.

So go learn something.

The shot gun has to be at least 26 inches long all together to be legal.

Well Nick...so you're "into" gun modification and come to Y/A to get all your legal advice and have others do your research for you, correct ? If you indeed, had any clue about "gun modification" then you would know there is a minimum overall length to be maintained. Here's an idea that doesn't involve taking a saw to your fine fowling piece.....simply buy a tactical, pistol-grip, pump....Voila, NO stock. You're welcome.

The shotgun can be no less than 26 inches with a barrel length of not less than 18 inches.....

As long as the overall length is over 26".

look under your state an federal laws. if under 26" changes status of firearm.