In 8-Y I can legally hunt with a hand gun as long as it has a 15" barrel, I had some roto cuff problems in my right shoulder, that is the reason I bought it so I could hunt that year. I will check into the barrel registration, I purchased a 243 barrel for it two years ago the original was a 270-Win, and when the barrel came in I picked it up and the dealer did not do any paper work, or state that I had to register it on my permit. I did not think that a certified dealer would release a barrel if had to be registered?