I want an AR 15 Pistol

Boondock Saint said:

I'm several years out of the AR game, and completely new to AR pistols. Am I correct in understanding that a pistol in the ATF/MD sense can essentially be an AR (HBAR not needed, right?) that doesn't have a "stock" but either an enclosed buffer tube or a fancy brace of some sort? Essentially, I could put a 11.5" pinned/welded upper on a lower that was never a rifle, slap the right tube/brace on its backside and be off to the awkward "pistol" races?

I know a MD legal AR has to comply with the 29" OAL, but a pistol has a separate minimum? This shit is wildly confusing, and I was once fairly well versed in it.

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Boondock Saint said:

I'm several years out of the AR game, and completely new to AR pistols. Am I correct in understanding that a pistol in the ATF/MD sense can essentially be an AR (HBAR not needed, right?) that doesn't have a "stock" but either an enclosed buffer tube or a fancy brace of some sort? Essentially, I could put a 11.5" pinned/welded upper on a lower that was never a rifle, slap the right tube/brace on its backside and be off to the awkward "pistol" races?

I know a MD legal AR has to comply with the 29" OAL, but a pistol has a separate minimum? This shit is wildly confusing, and I was once fairly well versed in it.

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Biggfoot44 said:

Lower must have never been configured as a rifle .

Buffer assy must be non Buttstock . The non- controversial answer is to utilize a " Pistol " buffer tube . Plain buffer tube is unquestionably legal . The various * arm braces * are currently kosher , but ATF interpretations have flip flopped in the details , and ATF could issue a new & improved Advisory Letter whenever the mood hits them .

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Biggfoot44 said:

Lower must have never been configured as a rifle .

Buffer assy must be non Buttstock . The non- controversial answer is to utilize a " Pistol " buffer tube . Plain buffer tube is unquestionably legal . The various * arm braces * are currently kosher , but ATF interpretations have flip flopped in the details , and ATF could issue a new & improved Advisory Letter whenever the mood hits them .

No Length requirements from Federal or Maryland .

No reason you couldn't Pin & Weld if you wanted to on purpose , but it isn't a legal issue .

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outrider58 said:

1) Pistol lower has to start out as a pistol(you can not convert an AR rifle into a pistol).
2) You can put any length and profile barrel you want on it. No need for pin and welding.
3) You can use any type of buffer tube you want. It can be a plain pistol buffer tube or it can be an adjustable carbine type buffer tube.
4) There are no minimum length requirements on AR pistols(they are not SBRs), they can be as short as you want.

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csxt602 said:

No minimum length or HBAR needed for an AR pistol. As long as it doesn't have a stock or vertical foregrip, and the LOP is 13.5" or less, it's good.

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Biggfoot44 said:

But Boondock was specifically asking about building a pistol from scratch without already having one , so I simplified the Pistol> Rifle> Pistol thing .

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outrider58 said:

But he wasn't being specific in his wording.


I always try to very specific when answering these types of questions for the sake of others who will follow along.

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rlrhcky71 said:

Hey all, Sorry I'm a newbie here, but I was looking at this and trying to figure out if it meets the MD legal requirements for an AR pistol, or what category would it fall under?
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...08&utm_term=afternoon&utm_content=5655102565B

Thanks for helping me out.

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El_flasko said:

Embarrassingly, this topic always leaves me perplexed. I never got into the whole hql thing as it more pissed me off than anything. Bought some nice shotguns since but nothing has really ever tempted me enough to bow down and get the darn thing but these AR pistols are really nice. If there’s a legal way (obviously) to do one sans the stupid license I will, if not I guess I’ll have to get the damn thing and start buying.

Subscribing to this thread very informative thanks all.

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El_flasko said:

Embarrassingly, this topic always leaves me perplexed. I never got into the whole hql thing as it more pissed me off than anything. Bought some nice shotguns since but nothing has really ever tempted me enough to bow down and get the darn thing but these AR pistols are really nice. If there’s a legal way (obviously) to do one sans the stupid license I will, if not I guess I’ll have to get the damn thing and start buying.

Subscribing to this thread very informative thanks all.

Click to expand...