AR-15 14.5" barrel. is it pistol or rifle?

[cyclesarge]

I think every time this question comes up too many focus on barrel length. Barrel length has absolutely no bearing on whether it's a rifle or pistol, it's all about the stock. On a rifle the barrel length is what makes it a rifle or a Short Barreled Rifle.

 

[asiparks]

it sounds like the OP wants the path of least resistance to owning a well balanced rifle. 14.5" barrel and stock = $200 and long wait. 14.5" barrel no stock = very heavy pistol. 14.5" barrel + welded FH = loss of 1 1/2" of rifling.

OP should look for a 16" light profile barrel and lightweight handguards.

 

[mjbskwim]

I think every time this question comes up too many focus on barrel length. Barrel length has absolutely no bearing on whether it's a rifle or pistol, it's all about the stock. On a rifle the barrel length is what makes it a rifle or a Short Barreled Rifle.

I think we have a winner here.

Now theoretically,if you did install a stock on a lower with a barrel under 16 inches,with out the stamp,you are illegal,no? Who saw it?

OK...now if you bought a lower and assembled it as a rifle,never took it anywhere,then dis-assembled it and re-assembled it as a pistol,**again this has never seen the range** ,then who could call it illegal?
As long as the lower was purchased as "any other weapon"

????