Page 1 of 1

Building an AR pistol

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:28 pm
by pbwalker
I'm looking at building out an AR pistol, but the legalities of SBR's and all that confuse me a bit.

It is my understanding that "once a rifle, always a rifle". Is my understanding correct? e.g., I can't go buy a complete pistol upper and swap out my existing AR upper for this one...that would be a SBR. Right?

So if I want to build out an AR pistol I'd have to start with a stripped lower? And *then* I can attach something like this? http://www.slickguns.com/product/dti-7- ... mplete-365

What I don't understand is how the buffer tube assembly extension is not considered a rifle stock. If that's the way it is, fine. I just want to make sure I am 100% legal.

:tiphat:

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:39 pm
by ddurkof
Go buy a stripped lower and on the 4473 form have it listed as a pistol. I don't believe that it is a requirement, but it helps. Then you can slap a short barrel on it and you are good to go. The buffer tube is a buffer tube and not a stock.

Do NOT put a vertical hand grip on the upper, or it will be considered a AOW (Any Other Weapon) and require a Form 1 filed with a $200.00 tax and all the NFA headaches that go along with it.

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:35 am
by RECIT
ddurkof wrote:Go buy a stripped lower and on the 4473 form have it listed as a pistol. I don't believe that it is a requirement, but it helps. Then you can slap a short barrel on it and you are good to go. The buffer tube is a buffer tube and not a stock.

Do NOT put a vertical hand grip on the upper, or it will be considered a AOW (Any Other Weapon) and require a Form 1 filed with a $200.00 tax and all the NFA headaches that go along with it.
Might as well file the paperwork for an SBR if you want a grip on it. I was contemplating a pistol build recently but abandoned it b/c I handled a few and did not like the way the pistol handled with out a stock on it. IF I say IF you could put a grip on it the handling and control-ability of it would be no problem.

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:40 am
by maverick2076
I thought an AOW was only a $5 tax stamp?

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:28 pm
by Mr.ViperBoa
If i am correct you can buy your lower receiver with the serial number already registered as a pistol then when you build it the buffer spring is different so it can not take a stock, then there is no way it will be considered a short barreled rifle.

I was concerned myself then I found a video on youtube that explained it.

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:21 am
by rm9792
When i bought lowers the dealers did the paperwork as pistols and told me to do what I wanted with them. This was done by several different dealers.

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:29 am
by RECIT
rm9792 wrote:When i bought lowers the dealers did the paperwork as pistols and told me to do what I wanted with them. This was done by several different dealers.
Good advice :iagree:

Re: Building an AR pistol

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:04 am
by KaiserB
ddurkof wrote:Go buy a stripped lower and on the 4473 form have it listed as a pistol. I don't believe that it is a requirement, but it helps. Then you can slap a short barrel on it and you are good to go. The buffer tube is a buffer tube and not a stock.

Do NOT put a vertical hand grip on the upper, or it will be considered a AOW (Any Other Weapon) and require a Form 1 filed with a $200.00 tax and all the NFA headaches that go along with it.

AOW is a $5 NFA Tax Stamp

SBR is a $200 NFA Tax Stamp