I need to know what means the term "Overall Length" in a gun's description, or how to measure it

Question

Hello I really need to know what means "Overall Length" in a decription or Specifications of a gun... or how does I measure it, or how to "picture it"... ir order to have an idea of how big it is

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Well, the "overall length" of anything means the total measurement from the foremost part of an object to the aftermost part of an object.
In the case of a gun, you would measure in a straight line from the very tip of the barrel to an imaginary or drawn perpendicular
(90 degree) line drawn at the very rear point of the handle or hammer, whichever is the farthest away from the tip of the barrel. The total distance between these two points would be the overall length.

For example:
where the overall length here is 7.52 inches.

I< -------------------- 7.52" ------------------- >I

RedNeckOreo (read the question again):
NOTE that MACRON said "gun" not "rifle".
>Guns (interpreted to mean a "handgun") are handheld.
>Rifles rest upon the shoulder.
In addition, nothing was stated about "how to determine the correct overall length of a rifle to properly fit an individual".

Answer 2

Gene L, your answer is confusing. Macron, overall length is the total length of the gun, from the muzzle-end of the barrel to the butt at the end of the gun (you know, it's part of the stock, it rests up around your shoulder, it might have a rubber shock absorber on it). For example: You see a gun that is 36 in. long, that means it would be like holding a yard stick (3 feet), only heavier. Generally barrel length is about 66 % of the overall length, and the rest is the stock. For a kid, you would need a shorter stock, because a shorter barrel really isn't going to help much. Some guns that are called "long guns" really just have a longer barrel (by how much, I'm not really sure.)

Just remember: If you can't hold the gun like people on TV; steady, cheek close to the stock, tight to your shoulder, head forward, not leaning back, one hand comfortably near the trigger, other hand comfortably on the stock under the barrel, then the gun is either too heavy for you, too long for you, or just not the right gun to fit yourself. Make sure yoo are a holding a left-handed gun if you are left handed gun if your are, left handed. It's hard to use a right handed gun while being left handed. THe difference between right- and left-handed guns: indentions on the stock, about where your cheek would be. They might possibly be around the trigger, and other parts of the stock. Plus, trying to operate a right handed bolt-action gun if you're left-handed, what a hassle.

Hope you learned something!

Answer 3

If you lay the gun on the floor in the corner of a room with the barrel parallel to one wall (up against it) and the butt plate touching the other wall (at the corner) Measure the distance from the muzzle (tip of the barrel) to the corner of the wall. This is the overall length. If you are using for ATF papers they really aren't that fussy, plus or minus a couple of incjes is fine

Obviously some people are such huge morons that I need to explain. I register every year with the ATF and have spoken with several representatives on this subject. If you are talking about legal long guns it does not matter if you say your shotgun is 42 or 44 inches long. If you want to saw the thing off to 1/8'' of legal size then you deserve to get busted because you obviously don't have legal hunting in mind, and it doesn't help you at the range.

Answer 4

I believe overall length refers to the measurement from the back of the grip to the end of the barrel. I assume this since there is also a measurement that gives just the barrel length of a firearm.

Brandon

Answer 5

the one thing i didn't see in all the answers is what is the legal overall length of long guns. everyone had different ways to measure them but no one stated what they should be.

the minimum lengths are:

rifle: barrel 16 inches over all 26 inches

shotgun: barrel 18 inches over all 26 inches.

both measurements can cause you to end you up in jail if they are too short.
you can have a gun that meets the 26 inch overall and have a
barrel that is too short. it's still a felony and you loose all your guns.

Answer 6

Gun smiths have several measurements they take to fit a firearm to someone. This one is simply a measurement from the end of the barrel to the end of the stock...if we are talking a long gun, Rifle, Shotgun.

Answer 7

I find the term fetus disgusting and a medical attempt to dsensitize and alienate what the "fetus" ACTUALLY is; I thought that was the whole point, if you don't call it a baby it's easier to kill it, like a bug.

Answer 8

That means 'total length,' from the rear of the stock to the end of the barrel.

H

Answer 9

From the butt of the stock to the end of the barrel.

Answer 10

total length from butt to the end of the barrel