10/22 Barrel-based pistol...?

C

Cowled_Wolfe

New member
1... IF I were to take a 10/22 barrel, cut it to about 6" (that's arbitrary, mind you -- any short length is open for consideration), then build up a reciever/all other parts from scratch, would the ATF visit me at 3AM or would it be legal? FYI, the reciever/other parts would be my own design, with nothing except the barrel in common with a 10/22 (and blowback operation, if that matters).

2... IF I also owned a 10/22 rifle, but never let the pistol barrel/components ever touch the full 10/22, would I still be ok or would the ATF bust me for having a pistol-length barrel that could fit the 10/22?

3... IF I modified the pistol-length barrel in some way so that it couldn't attatch to the 10/22 reviever ever again, would that void any concerns from question #2?

Before you worry about me getting in trouble, I'm planning to make a full CAD draft and send it to the BATF for a legality check before building any of this. Better safe than sorry. (This post is just a rough poll to see what ya'll think -- if it's worth making plans for or not.)

Thanks for your opinions,
Wolfe.
 
When building something New like that you must (I say this from what I Think I know) get approval, Send the ATF a sample piece (your first one). The Reciever would have to be registered as a pistol. Basically your reciever cannot have ever even thought about being a rifle. Other than that you can rob any and all other pieces off a rifle.
 
Instead of machining your own reciever, you could also just buy a virgin aftermarket 10/22 reciever (any brand new reciever not made by Ruger and never assembled as a rifle), and have them transfer it as a pistol receiver.

I've been putting some thought into this, as it seems the best way to get a hi-cap .22 pistol together that will go bang every time.

For some food for thought, here's a few pictures for you:

8555279631022pistol1.jpg



793178512cheetah.jpg



125488261choppy version 19.jpg



435646475folderif.jpg



866477664magpistol.jpg



802836720redpist.jpg
 
Hmm... Using a plain reciever like that is a nice idea, but I'd rather design everything my own and build from scratch. I'm more after the satisfaction that comes from designing and building a new gun than anything else. Stupid as it might sound, getting a working firearm in the end of the process is just a bonus. :o

Thanks for all the neat pics though. :)

Wolfe.
 
look into your local laws....i've built more than my share of AK's and a couple of other rifle's from scatch. i know it is lawful to built those as long as you don't sell or transfer the weapon.
 
CW - -
taking your questions by number - -
1... IF I were to take a 10/22 barrel, cut it to about 6" . . . then build up a reciever/all other parts from scratch, . . . would it be legal? FYI, the reciever/other parts would be my own design, with nothing except the barrel in common with a 10/22 (and blowback operation, if that matters).
I really believe it would be okay, subject to the other points below.

2... IF I also owned a 10/22 rifle, but never let the pistol barrel/components ever touch the full 10/22, would I still be ok or would the ATF bust me for having a pistol-length barrel that could fit the 10/22?
I'd really be afraid this could be considered a technical violation. And, no, I don't know how the guys handle it who own more than one AR15s, and one short barrel top end, and only one registered as an SBR.

3... IF I modified the pistol-length barrel in some way so that it couldn't attatch to the 10/22 reviever ever again, would that void any concerns from question #2?
I would think that would allay MY fears.

. . . I'm planning to make a full CAD draft and send it to the BATF for a legality check before building any of this. Better safe than sorry.
Now, THAT makes a lot of sense. As far as it being worth while, that's entirely up to you and no one else. The vast majority of radically altered and customized firearms end up being worth a bit LESS than the commercially produced equivalent would be. If it is satisfying to YOU, then that's what counts.

Best of luck.

Oh, and, kozak6 - -
Yes, I know of at least three "handguns," the design of which started out as rifles - - The Savage Stryker, the Charter (??) AR7 handgun (sort of a broomhandle lookalike,) and the Remington XP100. These are/were all produced by major manufacturers who make a point of staying square with federal law. Those handguns were all designated as pistols from the git-go. If I were going to simply take a newly-produced 10/22 action and work it up into a handgun, I'd sure want a letter from them (and, preferably, BATFE) saying this particular serial numbered piece had been named as a pistol. I really don't believe it's enough to simply be able to say, "well, it was never built up as a rifle previously."

As always, I am not an attorney, never will be, and haven't even portrayed one on TV.

Best,
Johnny
 
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