Query
- Thread starter Gary
- Start date
Rick H
Well-Known Member
If your AR was originally a Pistol you could interchange uppers, but if your AR was originally a rifle.....putting a short upper on it is illegal, unless you pay the tax and get it registered as a SBR.
That is my understanding and interpretation of this weeks (or maybe this hours) ATF interpretation of the NFA laws about short barreled rifles.
I happened to purchase a TC Contender Carbine....not a pistol.....from a flexibility standpoint that was a mistake. I love it but wont put a short barrel or handgun stock on it.
That is my understanding and interpretation of this weeks (or maybe this hours) ATF interpretation of the NFA laws about short barreled rifles.
I happened to purchase a TC Contender Carbine....not a pistol.....from a flexibility standpoint that was a mistake. I love it but wont put a short barrel or handgun stock on it.
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I dont pretend to have a deep understanding of BATF thought process but if your AR was sold as a rifle putting a 10.5 inch barrel on it makes it a SBR. If it was sold as a pistol and you add a but stock it's also a SBR then also I believe. If you take an AR pistol and add an "Arm Brace" that happens to also fit your shoulder well your okay though. None of the above should be taken as gospel though as I really dont know.
'If your AR was originally a Pistol you could interchange uppers, but if your AR was originally a rifle.....putting a short upper on it is illegal, unless you pay the tax and get it registered as a SBR. ' True but!
Can be 'other' or 'pistol', with buffer tube or brace ONLY. Also must be under 26" overall length (? collapsible brace collapsed). If getting one, fill out the form as pistol. Not all braces have a BATF 'letter' but this is being worked on IIRC. There are folding stocks, folding buffer tubes and other options out there, that could get dicey. Wildest one I've seen is a 5" barrel, 2" buffer tube, custom BGC in 223. Some have also gone AK style.
AR's trigger group being sold (registered?) ?? FA trigger group is a real expensive alternate!! BGC are sold as SA/FA variants but I've not seen any legal distinction.
Many bare lowers were sold as 'other' and can be either but once 'configured' they are pistol or rifle. Meant to be for bare actions, etc and very dubious definition. So basically stay away from it - was primarily for manufacturers/builders.
Can be 'other' or 'pistol', with buffer tube or brace ONLY. Also must be under 26" overall length (? collapsible brace collapsed). If getting one, fill out the form as pistol. Not all braces have a BATF 'letter' but this is being worked on IIRC. There are folding stocks, folding buffer tubes and other options out there, that could get dicey. Wildest one I've seen is a 5" barrel, 2" buffer tube, custom BGC in 223. Some have also gone AK style.
AR's trigger group being sold (registered?) ?? FA trigger group is a real expensive alternate!! BGC are sold as SA/FA variants but I've not seen any legal distinction.
Many bare lowers were sold as 'other' and can be either but once 'configured' they are pistol or rifle. Meant to be for bare actions, etc and very dubious definition. So basically stay away from it - was primarily for manufacturers/builders.
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RBHarter
West Central AR
Then there's the stripped receiver sold undesignated , or as "other" .
Book notes say it was assembled without a stock assy on a blank pistol tube ........ That can with the springs , buffers , and tubes are here somewhere , the Flambeau box with all the spares is AWOL too .
Book notes say it was assembled without a stock assy on a blank pistol tube ........ That can with the springs , buffers , and tubes are here somewhere , the Flambeau box with all the spares is AWOL too .
Gary
SE Kansas
RB hits close to my situation. I bought a stripped upper/lower combination from a fella (legally; he lives in the same state as I do) and I don't know if it was originally configured as a SBR, pistol, or rifle. I rebuilt the lower and now want to put a different upper on the top. I understand the different designation(s) of AR type firearms but wonder who or how anyone could tell by looking what the original intent of the AR Lower happen to be.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
In my state the lower will be stamped "multi" and registered as a "handgun". It must be configured as a "handgun", less than 16in barrel, no shoulder stock including collapsible, less than 26" oal and no vertical fore end grip. Or it can be a rifle, 16" barrel, over 26" long. No mix and matching of components. But this is under the States assault rifle law.
Kevin Stenberg
Well-Known Member
How about if say a person has a completed 80% lower with no printing on it?
I don't know anyone that has one. But just wondering. In Minn. an 80% is legal but not to transfer.
I don't know anyone that has one. But just wondering. In Minn. an 80% is legal but not to transfer.
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Ian
Notorious member
There is a lot of misinformation on this thread. I suggest that anyine wishing to know the legality of anything regulated by the BATFE should consult their website (and regulations) for themselves. The address is W W W dot ATF dot GOV. After doing that, consult your STATE and LOCAL laws because often those are even more restrictive.
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Especially out on the left coast, as we have laws much more regulated than BATF!
Gary
SE Kansas
Well Brad, that's the dilemma. From the mouth of Jackie Childs "that's arbitrary and capricious". I only shoot on my own shooting range and I could probably get by with whatever I decided to build. I'm working on a sweet deal but it's a short barreled upper. Guess I could get it and swap the barrel for a 16".
Tom
Well-Known Member
Ric, I was unaware of this. Would the no stock thing include a brace in Washington?
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
A "brace" is OK if shorter than rifle recoil tube overall length.