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Attention Law Experts

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:20 am
by carlson1
I have an AR 15 "pistol." It has a 10 inch barrel. I want to know if I change the stock to a regular stock does this put the "pistol" into a "rifle" category, thus it becomes too short and illegal? (It is stamped "RRA PISTOL ONLY.")
Image

YES

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:24 am
by Delta
If you put a regular stock on that weapon, then it becomes an SBR
(Short Barreled Rifle)

That would negate a 200.00 tax stamp for NFA.


Seeing as how it is stamped RRA Pistol. You will be in violation and that will make it a NO NO. You are pretty much limited to what you have

Re: YES

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:29 am
by carlson1
Delta wrote:If you put a regular stock on that weapon, then it becomes an SBR
(Short Barreled Rifle)

That would negate a 200.00 tax stamp for NFA.


Seeing as how it is stamped RRA Pistol. You will be in violation and that will make it a NO NO. You are pretty much limited to what you have
Makes sense to me - Thank you for your help. I do NOT want a $200.00 stamp.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:49 am
by bigdook
what would a folding type stock do to it, in regards to the law?

by the way nice gun.( i wonder if you could carry it concealed)

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:59 am
by rspeir
Adding a folding stock would still make it a SBR.

SBR

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 9:42 am
by Rex B
Change the barrel while you are at it, and you should be good, no?

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:09 am
by Delta
OK

1. Once the AR15 pistol configuration has been registered on a 4473 with the ATF. It will have to stay a pistol. If you were pulled over and they found the RRA pistol lower with a rifle stock, there would be a pretty good chance you are going to jail. Just the same as having a rifle with a short barrel and pistol grip and no stock... jail.
Most LEO's do not really know the different configurations unless they are really into the law and the AR15, BATF rules Ect....

This not a slam on LEO's either, I have quite a few friends that are LEO.

2. The one way to get around that legally is to pay the $200.00 and fill out a Form 4. Then essentially it is an SBR then you can do whatever.

To rebarrel that upper would be at least 125-175 anyway, add a stock and your at another 75.

3. You cannot add a stock to this weapon without the form 4, because that would construe intent for manufacturing or altering the registered receiver. The only part of the AR that is tracked and registered.

4. You could sell it to a dealer or someone else, then just buy your ar15 of choice. Less headache that way.

There is a bunch of case law and actual cases out there on the internet but this will give you an idea what to expect

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:45 pm
by HankB
Delta wrote:1. Once the AR15 pistol configuration has been registered on a 4473 with the ATF. It will have to stay a pistol.
I agree with the previous postings that simply putting a stock on it would make it an SBR, which could have seriously bad legal consequences if done without completion of the proper paperwork in advance.

BUT . . . if you put on at least a 16" barrel first, there should be no problem, as then you've got a rifle, rather than a pistol.

Consider that Thompson Center's "Contender" pistols are available with both shoulder stocks AND 16" barrels. The rule there is that you CAN convert a Contender pistol into a rifle if you first put on a 16" or longer barrel, and THEN add the shoulder stock. (Adding the stock first would put you, at least for a short time, in possession of an SBR.)

IANAL, so if there's some law that allows rifle conversions of Contenders and disallows rifle conversions of ARs, please cite.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:48 pm
by casselthief
if it's a pistol, why does it need a stock?

and, what caliber does that thing shoot?

what's that foam thing on the back of it? looks like a handle, or something...

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:45 pm
by KinnyLee
casselthief wrote:if it's a pistol, why does it need a stock?

and, what caliber does that thing shoot?

what's that foam thing on the back of it? looks like a handle, or something...
It's a 5.56mm and the foam thing is the buffer tube.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:02 pm
by Mike1951
And though you didn't mention it, you are also prohibited from adding any kind of horizontal or vertical (perpendicular to barrel) foregrip to what you have.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:41 pm
by casselthief
what does a buffer tube do? help reduce muzzle rise during fire?

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:59 pm
by Mithras61
casselthief wrote:what does a buffer tube do? help reduce muzzle rise during fire?
A buffer tube houses the buffer spring & buffer that allows the bolt to move back to eject a spent cartridge and pushes the bolt forward to load a fresh round from the magazine. It helps reduce the percieved recoil from the firearm as well.

It is normally concealed inside the stock of an M4/M16/AR15 series rifle. Since the pistol does not have a stock, it is exposed.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 3:59 pm
by casselthief
Image

ahthankyou!

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:19 pm
by hi-power
casselthief wrote:Image
Quartermaster Clerk: One buffer tube with buffer spring.
Austin Powers: [to Vanessa] That's not mine.
Quartermaster Clerk: One credit card receipt for buffer tube and spring signed by Austin Powers.
Austin Powers: I'm telling ya baby, that's not mine.
Quartermaster Clerk: One warranty card for buffer tube and spring, filled out by Austin Powers.
Austin Powers: I don't even know what this is! This sort of thing ain't my bag, baby.
Quartermaster Clerk: One book, "Buffer tubes, Springs And Me: This Sort of Thing Is My Bag Baby", by Austin Powers.