2 quick questions regarding AR-15's

[JRILE]

1. Can you change the caliber of an AR-15 by changing its upper receiver?

2. Is it the Lower, or Upper receiver that is regulated?

 

[rseymorejr]

change the upper to change caliber, I think the buffer may need to change for some.
The lower receiver is the serialized part and is regulated. Kind of crazy to wait 7 days for a hunk of aluminum with no moving parts
There is a group buy for ar lowers just starting out $84 total cost

 

[jonnyl]

1 - Yes
2 - Lower

More complex answers to follow! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Markp]

1. Can you change the caliber of an AR-15 by changing its upper receiver?

2. Is it the Lower, or Upper receiver that is regulated?

1. Yes

2. Most people will claim that the lower is "regulated" but nowhere is this written in law or regulation. No one has provided anything official from any government agency to support this claim.

Flame on bitches.

 

[mopar92]

1 usually
2 yes
1 to clarify the round must feed through the magwell..30 caliber rounds usually necessitate moving to the AR 10 platform although you can get a .50 BMG side charging upper. Other calibers require specialized lower parts to function and a 9mm needs a magwell block. That's just the basics. Welcome to the forum.

 

[BradMacc82]

1. Yes

2. Most people will claim that the lower is "regulated" but nowhere is this written in law or regulation. No one has provided anything official from any government agency to support this claim.

Flame on bitches.

Thank you Mark, a chuckle is just what I could use right now.

It may not be on the books as regulated, but the majority of people in MD have had to treat it as regulated since no shop wants to be the test case.

Welcome to Md's gun laws, clear as mud.

 

[Markp]

Thank you Mark, a chuckle is just what I could use right now.

It may not be on the books as regulated, but the majority of people in MD have had to treat it as regulated since no shop wants to be the test case.

Welcome to Md's gun laws, clear as mud.

No doubt that's the truth!

 

[punchBIGholes]

What Caliber were you thinking about?

 

[dmck]

The lower is considered the fire control just like a pistol has its serial number on the lower half of the gun on auto's atleast ..ESP. Since the rest of the gun isn't there Maryland says you can make it into a pistol just like shotgun receivers if the do not have a barrel they have to be registered like a pistol according to Maryland ....they have to be registered some how !!

 

[Markp]

The lower is considered the fire control just like a pistol has its serial number on the lower half of the gun on auto's atleast ..ESP. Since the rest of the gun isn't there Maryland says you can make it into a pistol just like shotgun receivers if the do not have a barrel they have to be registered like a pistol according to Maryland ....they have to be registered some how !!

Really, so why didn't my RPD and VZ-58 receivers need to be registered as regulated weapons? I'm confused now... could it be because that's not anywhere in the law (MD code), regulations (COMAR), or any other official documentation?

Unfortunately, MD law, considers a handgun any weapon with a barrel that in under 16" in length. Without a barrel, you don't have a handgun, as it doesn't meet the state definition. No barrel, no handgun.

 

[nomo613]

if an 18 year old buys an hbar, could he then by a different upper, and just have a normal ar-15, or is that just looking for trouble?

 

[narcolepticsniper]

if an 18 year old buys an hbar, could he then by a different upper, and just have a normal ar-15, or is that just looking for trouble?

He could do it, but it'd be illegal. It would fit and function, though.

 

[Slimjim]

Really, so why didn't my RPD and VZ-58 receivers need to be registered as regulated weapons? I'm confused now... could it be because that's not anywhere in the law (MD code), regulations (COMAR), or any other official documentation?

Unfortunately, MD law, considers a handgun any weapon with a barrel that in under 16" in length. Without a barrel, you don't have a handgun, as it doesn't meet the state definition. No barrel, no handgun.

VZ-58 and RPD arent on the list of regulated weapons.

 

[mopar92]

He could do it, but it'd be illegal. It would fit and function, though.

I don't think so. Nothing in the law states you cannot modify a firearm after the initial purchase. Except 922r and that doesn't apply. Same as a factory Mini 14 then adding a folding stock or a pistol grip to a Mossberg 500.

 

[JRILE]

What Caliber were you thinking about?

None in particular, im still about 3 years and $1500 away from being able to purchase one.

 

[JRILE]

if an 18 year old buys an hbar, could he then by a different upper, and just have a normal ar-15, or is that just looking for trouble?

what exactly is a hbar?

 

[JRILE]

change the upper to change caliber, I think the buffer may need to change for some.
The lower receiver is the serialized part and is regulated. Kind of crazy to wait 7 days for a hunk of aluminum with no moving parts
There is a group buy for ar lowers just starting out $84 total cost

A what buy?

 

[gmhowell]

VZ-58 and RPD arent on the list of regulated weapons.

100% off topic, but I just learned today that your avatar is Derpy Hooves.

 

[gmhowell]

A group buy. There is a product (AR lower in this case) that has a good price if a certain number are sold. More than an individual would want. So a bunch of people get together and buy in a group.

Not totally sure on HBAR, but I think it is a heavy barrel version. Supposed to be a 'hunting' variant rather than a military one, so falls under a different set of rules in MD (and federal?).

 

[JRILE]

A group buy. There is a product (AR lower in this case) that has a good price if a certain number are sold. More than an individual would want. So a bunch of people get together and buy in a group.

Not totally sure on HBAR, but I think it is a heavy barrel version. Supposed to be a 'hunting' variant rather than a military one, so falls under a different set of rules in MD (and federal?).

ohh, neat...