Judge Michael McInerney ordered Clifton Charles Causby, 40, to serve a year behind bars after taking two guns from a Stanley home on March 22.

But after a brief break of about five minutes, the judge said he had reconsidered his sentence and ordered the Wodonga man instead serve eight months.

Causby barely has a criminal record, with the County Court told his life had spiralled out of control amid a marriage breakdown and heavy ice use.

His lawyer Martin Kozlowski said he was only a low to moderate risk of reoffending.

The judge agreed with that assessment.

"I've got no doubt about that, his background is such that I accept it, as long as he doesn't get back on drugs," he said recently.

"Simple as that."

Causby had attended the Pioneer Road home on the day of the offence, realised nobody was home, and returned at night to break in.

He took two .22 rifles and a cache of other items including ammunition, welders, a generator and a horse blanket.

He left a fingerprint at the scene and the victim returned home the following day and noticed what had occurred.

Causby was found with the guns and other stolen property at his home on March 24, along with ice.

He said he "just (saw) dollar signs" when he entered the house, but hadn't specifically targeted the guns.

"The motivation was clearly to obtain funds for drugs," the judge said.

He was reluctant to use the term "opportunistic", noting it was "clearly planned criminality".

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Judge McInerney imposed a 12-month jail term, followed by a two-year community corrections order.

But then cut four months off the prison sentence after brief consideration during a short break.

"Good luck Mr Causby, let's make sure you're not before the court again and that you don't have the issue of drugs any further, because you now realise the problem it's brought upon you," Judge McInerney said.