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short rifle barrel
- Thread starter abraxian
- Start date
It depends on where you start.
If you buy an AR that has ever been built into a complete rifle, then you can NOT convert it into a pistol.
However, if you buy an AR Pistol you are okay according to ATF Opinion 2011-4, you can convert it into a legal rifle and back into a pistol without fear of violating NFA rules.
Similarly for building one yourself. Build it into a pistol FIRST, then you can go ahead and convert it into a rifle later, and back, without worries of violating the NFA.
If you buy an AR that has ever been built into a complete rifle, then you can NOT convert it into a pistol.
However, if you buy an AR Pistol you are okay according to ATF Opinion 2011-4, you can convert it into a legal rifle and back into a pistol without fear of violating NFA rules.
Similarly for building one yourself. Build it into a pistol FIRST, then you can go ahead and convert it into a rifle later, and back, without worries of violating the NFA.
Willie Lowman
New member
Don't let the mention of ARs in the previous post confuse you.
you CANNOT legally cut the barrel on any rifle shorter than 16" without NFA paperwork (ATF form 1).
You CAN assemble a new firearm from a virgin receiver as a pistol with a barrel shorter than 16". If a receiver has been used to make a rifle, merely removing the stock and barrel are not sufficient. If it is assembled as a rifle it is a rifle legally and you can't make a pistol from it.
you CANNOT legally cut the barrel on any rifle shorter than 16" without NFA paperwork (ATF form 1).
You CAN assemble a new firearm from a virgin receiver as a pistol with a barrel shorter than 16". If a receiver has been used to make a rifle, merely removing the stock and barrel are not sufficient. If it is assembled as a rifle it is a rifle legally and you can't make a pistol from it.
Good point, Willie.
Another point to make is that a "complete lower" (one that has the trigger, hammer, bolt catch, grip, and stock) can be used to make a pistol as long as it hasn't been barreled as a rifle.
Just remove the stock and buffer tube and replace it with a pistol buffer.
The key is that it has never been assembled into a complete rifle.
Another point to make is that a "complete lower" (one that has the trigger, hammer, bolt catch, grip, and stock) can be used to make a pistol as long as it hasn't been barreled as a rifle.
Just remove the stock and buffer tube and replace it with a pistol buffer.
The key is that it has never been assembled into a complete rifle.
David Hineline
New member
Carry On.
Last edited:
Rooskibar03
Inactive
Stupid question. So how does one prove that the lower used on a pistol is Virgin or has never been mounted to a complete rifle?
David Hineline
New member
The manuf. of the receiver will have records as to how their product shipped as should all subsequent dealers, once it makes private hands it would be hard to document.