AR pistol

[jworm1420]

Idk if this is in the wrong spot or not but here goes. AR pistol...??? What are the legal standards of building an AR pistol and keeping it legal and not having to file for SBR?? I’m goin to build one and I want to make sure I’m keeping everything legal. Thanks everyone.

 

[Simon6101]

Dont' put a stock on it. Use a brace. If I remember right the barrel length is really a concern. It is whether it has a stock or not.

 

[Ggreen]

Don't start with anything that transferred as a rifle. Start with a stripped lower. Don't put a vertical foregrip, unless it's an aow. Don't modify the brace, leave straps in place don't add padding, etc...

 

[dudley0]

No vertical fore grip either. Do not put a stock on it as once a rifle always a rifle.

 

[flatlander]

No vertical fore grip either. Do not put a stock on it as once a rifle always a rifle.

Not true. You can go back and forth.

Bob

 

[jworm1420]

so basically the barrel length doesn’t matter as long as it’s fitted with a buffer tube and/or pistol brace???? So that’s basically only info I need to keep it off NFA while still keeping it legal? Thanks guys.

 

[dudley0]

Not true. You can go back and forth.

Bob

When did this change? Rules had always been once a rifle always a rifle. That is why you have to be sure your lower is not classed as a rifle from your FFL.

 

[j4jenk]

Born a rifle = always a rifle
Born as a pistol = can go back and forth

best insurance is make sure the 4473 says “pistol” or “other”, then take a picture in pistol configuration before installing the rifle parts.

 

[Floivanus]

No vertical fore grip either. Do not put a stock on it as once a rifle always a rifle.

VFG is fine as long as the OAL is over 26”. Then it is no longer a pistol and is a “firearm” instead. You’re looking at something like an 11” barrel to get to that length, and unless I’m mistaken it is buffer tube to barrel end for that measurement

 

[dudley0]

Man I am so behind the curve on this. Makes me wonder why I built the SBRs instead of just going these other routes. At $200 a pop I could have bought more ammo, or built some more cans.

 

[Ggreen]

Man I am so behind the curve on this. Makes me wonder why I built the SBRs instead of just going these other routes. At $200 a pop I could have bought more ammo, or built some more cans.

Good braces are nearly the cost of a stamp tho

 

[WebSnyper]

Good braces are nearly the cost of a stamp tho

I'm seeing this. Seems like they are priced that way intentionally (under the cost of a stamp, but not too far under).

 

[Ggreen]

I'm seeing this. Seems like they are priced that way intentionally (under the cost of a stamp, but not too far under).

Wait until the atf is told to reverse their ruling on how braces can be used a la bumpstock precedent.

 

[teddy12b]

All this confusion is exactly why I bought a complete pistol lower. It's all fun and cute to build your own and I get that. Weighing in the consequences of someone coming after you in court for whatever reason they want makes me like being able to point to a purchase order from a manufacturer stating it's a pistol lower. I'm all for saving a buck, but PSA had complete lower with the SBA3 brace for $220 shipped how much are you really going to save to make that worth your while?

For all the legal issues that come with a pistol, personally I chose to just buy a complete lower, and complete upper and pin the two together. This is a case where I don't think the reward is worth any risk.

 

[Ggreen]

All this confusion is exactly why I bought a complete pistol lower. It's all fun and cute to build your own and I get that. Weighing in the consequences of someone coming after you in court for whatever reason they want makes me like being able to point to a purchase order from a manufacturer stating it's a pistol lower. I'm all for saving a buck, but PSA had complete lower with the SBA3 brace for $220 shipped how much are you really going to save to make that worth your while?

For all the legal issues that come with a pistol, personally I chose to just buy a complete lower, and complete upper and pin the two together. This is a case where I don't think the reward is worth any risk.

There is no risk in building a pistol lower compared to buying one built. The risk is in doing things you're not supposed to.