reckless1911
Active Member
What is the minimum length a complete upper receiver has to be before you have to fill out forms and wait?
What is the minimum length a complete upper receiver has to be before you have to fill out forms and wait?
I just submitted a form 1 with a 9 inch upper. Lets just say I got a very long stock and an extended buttpad to make the cut. I will let you know what happens.
For the most part though a 10.5 inch upper on an AR will get you to 29 inches with pretty much any stock, so if you want to be safe go 10.5. I would not go below 9 inches though.
yes since im planning on buying a 556 and 762 pistol, I didnt see the need to build a short rifle that would require all the extra work and wait.
So your saying that I can buy a 10.5 min length upper and slap it on my built lower and be legal and fine right?
If this is the case I will be jumping on a 11 inch 300blk i just saw
As long as your built lower has a pistol buffer tube and no vertical foregrip on the upper yes.
ok so then whats the difference between a 16inch barrel up and a 10.5 thats going to determine that the 10.5 will require a pistol buffer tube and the 16 is fine with a regular stock system?
The barrel length must be >=16" otherwise it needs to be a pistol or SBR paperwork. The barrel length is the determining factor.
ah ok perfect.. I get it now.. so one of my lowers will just have to be built out for the purpose of fitting a short barrel of max min length of 10.5 inches and no grip.. thank you all for clearing this up for me so fast
ah ok perfect.. I get it now.. so one of my lowers will just have to be built out for the purpose of fitting a short barrel of max min length of 10.5 inches and no grip.. thank you all for clearing this up for me so fast
But it was originally sold or built as a RIFLE, you may NOT turn it into a pistol.
If it was originally a PISTOL, you can make it into a RIFLE, then back to a PISTOL.
Best way, start with a virgin lower, that was transferred as Other.
Oh, and make SURE you have a pistol lower in hand, BEFORE having the short barreled upper arrive. If you have a short barrel upper and NO pistol lower, but rifle lowers, you could be illegal under constructive intent.
Rifle = Barrel longer than 16" with shoulder stock (in MD, must be 29" or longer if centerfire semi auto). Muzzle devices count for barrel lenght IF they are permanently installed (silver solder or pinned/welded)
Pistol = Any barrel length, without a shoulder stock (SIG Brace is legal, UNLESS you actually put it to your shoulder), if less than 26" overall, cannot have a vertical fore grip.
SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) = Shoulder stock and less than 16" barrel. Currently in MD, must be at least 29" long if centerfire semi auto.
One last question, how exactly would I buy a specified pistol lower??
I bought 4 stripped lowers preban in 2013 so I dont know what they would be considered.. rifle or pistol.
One last question, how exactly would I buy a specified pistol lower??
I bought 4 stripped lowers preban in 2013 so I dont know what they would be considered.. rifle or pistol.
You don't. The lower (receiver\frame) is what you make of it, whether it be a rifle or handgun. Making it a "pistol lower" usually entails attaching a buffer tube that cannot readily attach a rifle stock (i.e pistol buffer tube). The pistol buffer tubes or receiver extensions, will be completely round and not have notches to attach a standard rifle or carbine stock.
Save those pre-ban registered lowers, for pre-ban rifle builds. Buy some new receivers if you want to make a new AR-15 pistol.
Stripped lowers are "other" and can be built into any legal configuration. This includes a pistol.
To make a 16" oal barrel, you can choose a shorter length barrel and have a muzzle device permanently attached by a gunsmith. Pinned and welded is the most common method, but I think Silver Soldering it will pass muster too.Someone please comment on a 14" barrel with a 2" thingie, (flash hider?)