Have a Steven 410 Shotgun Pistol - HELP!
I basically inherited this gun, and offhand can't recall the model # but it is the Stevens 410 pistol made in the 20' and 30's. Recently, someone brought it to my attention that if not properly, registered, this gun is very ILLEGAL and a felony to possess. HELP! What do I do? Is there some way to legitimately get this gun registered or what am I left to do? Thanks
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Sit tight and someone should be answer your question. There is a fine line with old guns, without serial numbers, and made before BATF rules. This gun came that way originally and might, MIGHT, be grandfathered in. Then it could be classified Class III or whatever. If you ask a BATF agent, there is a 50/50 chance you could get in trouble or get it confiscated. I think registering it cost $200 and there is a long waiting period. Go to the BATF website and do a search on your gun, you might find your answer.
It doesn't make too much sense because the Thompson Contender comes in a 10" 410 Pistol barrel.
Good Luck.0 -
Try these neat links out. The first one mentions your gun. The second shows a pick and a post about the gun.
It looks like it just might be on the Curio & Relic list, but then the other post states that it is illegal to own without registering it.
Hope this helps.
http://www.4-10.freeuk.com/batterypage3.html
http://www.4-10.freeuk.com/messagesss.html0 -
CHECK WITH MARK C TO BE SURE BUT I THINK THIS GUN HAS PASSED THE TIME LIMIT TO REG. AND I WOULD SURE NOT WANT TO BE FOUND WITH IT IN MY HANDS.
I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.0 -
Good Afternoon: Your STEVENS is known as the Stevens # 35..in either the Auto Shot or the Offhand Pistol...Depends upon the Trigger Guard..One is Cast and the other is Stamped out of Sheet Metal..
The Offhand Model 35 came in both .22 and 410 x 2"..and were made from 1923 thru 1942...
The Model 35 Auto Shot was made from 1929 to 1934...
The original manufacture of these was halted with the Passage of the National Firearms Act in 1934, which restricted the use of shot cartridges in handguns. This handgun is subject to the provisions and restrictions of the National Firearms Act and collectors should not attempt to acquire or dispose of specimens unless complying fully with those provisions.."My suggestion to You" is to contact the Local Police Department and surrender the Gun to them, and explain that it was WILLED to You by a Dear Departed Relative...and that You have No desire to keep it in your pocession.....Explain further that You have No Knowledge of Firearms in General and that you would feel much safer and secure in the knowledge that the Police Department is taking care of the Problem.....You definately don't need the Feds beating on your door....The choice is Yours....You can try and get it it registered, but then...if Not...You could face Problems....Tough Call...
Captain Kirk, Tech Staff0 -
I believe i am correct in stating that there was a certain amnesty period in which these guns could be registered.If it was not done in this time period,it cannot be done now.Therefore,i would think, no legal way to posess it. 0 -
No legal way to register your gun. Illegal under federal law and illegal in many states.
Now some comments...
The gun can be permanently disabled. By that I mean that a process would take place wherein the action was welded closed and the barrel disabled. (In this case the action is perfectly legal, but the barrel is the problem.)
The gun can be turned over to the proper authorities.
Or... Pack the gun away where it's safe from sight and little hands. It's a part of your past and has value and meaning to you. I'm aware that this doesn't make the gun any less illegal, but I doubt ATF is all that interested in knocking on your door.
Remember, though, that this item can cause a bunch of trouble should anything happen and it be displayed or used even in an innocent manner.
For myself I'd probably ask a good smith to disable the gun while retaining as much original appearance as possible. If this was done the piece will cease to be a gun and you can do whatever pleases you most (Including a display on your coffee table).
Good luck, but do whatever you're going to do right now. This isn't something that bears procrastination.
Nord0 -
I would try and keep it in the family as an heirloom and make the gun non-functional. I'm not sure about the legality of transporting it to a gunsmith and/or having a gunsmith work on it, or what exactly is legal in making a gun non functional in the eyes of the BATF.
I'm thinking welding the action permanently (key word) shut and plugging the barrel and chamber. Maybe even welding the hammer to the frame. Just a thought. Not sure if removing the firing pin is part of the process.
Good Luck!0 -
Simply disabling the gun or making it non functional is not going to pass muster with the BATF. The barrel length is the problem and as long as the barrel is married to the frame, or can ever be attached to the frame again, the gun is illegal. This firearm should have been registered by the end of the amnesty period in December 1968 and cannot be registered now. You have a VERY limited number of options: You can have the barrel permanently sleeved- welded or high temperature silver soldered- so that it is at least 18" long and the over all length of the firearm is 26", or you can modify the receiver so that the short barrel cannot be attached, this is your only chance to keep the gun intact. As thing stand, you simply cannot own this firearm in its current configuration and are taking a BIG risk holding on to it.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Dear Windy:
I think the fellows are right about these models being NFA guns which must be registered to possess or transfer.
No one appears to have considered the possibility that the firearm WAS registered to the person from whom you inherited, either initially or during the amnesty. If it was registered, then you can legally inherit it. In that case however, I think a transfer tax would have to be paid, along with the completion of the necessary paperwork. However, determining if it was registered might lead to problems if it is not registered.
Frankly, my experience with law enforcement on gun issues is pretty checkered, especially with ATF. If you call and ask questions, you may not only get the wrong answer, you may have an agent knocking on your door very soon. Some of these guys (although certainly not all) are just out to bust anyone they can, and your good intentions will garner no sympathy from those types.
One possibility for simply getting rid of it without risking illegal sale, continuing illegal possession or the chance it will end up in the wrong hands would be a buy-back program. Law enforcement agencies typically have a "no questions asked" policy for these programs, and you might even get something for it. I hate to promote such programs, but it might be a solution for you.
redcedars0 -
Windy, Mark Christian gave you good advice. I would take it to the Sheriff's dept( if you live in the county) or the Police dept. (if you live in the city). Tell them the situation. Let them hold the gun(get a receipt) until they contact BATF and see if the gun has been registered. If it hasn't BATF will take it. You are in no trouble yet.. IF you have paperwork of a will ect, that you inherited the gun all the better to show. I believe BATF has forms that allow you to keep the gun if inherited . Good Luck 0 -
One question about the stevens in question. If he were to have a barrel made for it that was of legal length and made the overall length of the gun legal would the firearm then be considered legal for ownership? Just curious on this.
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