The picture of the pipe is has 43mm stamped on it. A 12 ga slug is only like 18mm in diameter. That's so large that I would be amazed a 12 ga slug would even leave the the pipe in the manner you describe. Even if it did you could throw the slug farther and faster.
It was probably just a storage container to keep stuff dry from moisture since he seems like buried stuff in caches. It would also explain why both ends have threading.
This is just police being extremely stupid or saving face. This guy needs some better legal help there is no way that was a firearm.
"The picture of the pipe is has 43mm stamped on it."
Ah. Good catch. Yeah, that's really dumb to call it a gun then. Sort of makes you wonder about the other police claim of meth lab chemicals and equipment.
Yet they still jailed this poor guy. I amazed a judge, or jury member did not notice the insanity of the claim. The guy is homeless so not like he could afford a decent lawyer. He really needs legal help in my opinion.
I only saw one photo of the thing which didn't show any of the interior details at all.
I'm assuming the police at least scrutinized it enough to determine it was indeed an improvised gun, i.e. verified some kind of firing pin mechanism.
As for its diameter, I don't know why you're assuming there's not a coaxial arrangement going on here. Did you see photos showing details I didn't see? URL please if so.
It was probably just a storage container to keep stuff dry from moisture since he seems like buried stuff in caches. It would also explain why both ends have threading.
This is just police being extremely stupid or saving face. This guy needs some better legal help there is no way that was a firearm.