Build Thread AR15 Pistol

[Capn Jack]

What major components constitute an AR15 Pistol?
Is it just a lower that is marked Pistol along with a barrel
shorter than 16" and lack of a butt stock, or what?

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[Stomper]

The lower does not need to be marked "pistol" in any way, shape, or form. The crux of it is that a serialized lower used as a pistol must NEVER have been part of a rifle either from a manufacturer, or if built from a serialized stripped lower (which is a "firearm") and subsequently sold as a rifle (and listed as such) on a form 4473, then it would become an SBR if you put a <16" barreled upper on it. Once it's a rifle, it's ALWAYS a rifle.

If the serialized lower has only ever been sold as a "firearm" (or subsequently sold as a "pistol") on a form 4473, you may legally install a >16" barrel on it and go back to a <16" barrel on it w/o issue, HOWEVER it may not have a buttstock installed on it at the same time as a <16" barrel as that would make it a SBR.


Having said that, the major components that constitute an AR pistol are:

1. Non-rifle lower.

2. <16" barrel.

3. Buffer-tube (with or with an arm-brace/stabilizer).

4. NEVER having a legally defined/determined buttstock.



Hope that helps!

 

[Garg]

Soon as I can afford it, I am going to add one of these to my 10.5" pistol build. It should bring it well over 27" so it will become just a "firearm", rather than a "pistol" opening up a bunch of options, mainly front grips.
DFA Modified Cycle System - RIFLE CALIBER - with Right Side Folding Stock Adaptor | Dead Foot Arms LLC

I really like the system, that allows full function, folded.

 

[Capn Jack]

The lower does not need to be marked "pistol" in any way, shape, or form. The crux of it is that a serialized lower used as a pistol must NEVER have been part of a rifle either from a manufacturer, or if built from a serialized stripped lower (which is a "firearm") and subsequently sold as a rifle (and listed as such) on a form 4473, then it would become an SBR if you put a <16" barreled upper on it. Once it's a rifle, it's ALWAYS a rifle.

If the serialized lower has only ever been sold as a "firearm" (or subsequently sold as a "pistol") on a form 4473, you may legally install a >16" barrel on it and go back to a <16" barrel on it w/o issue, HOWEVER it may not have a buttstock installed on it at the same time as a <16" barrel as that would make it a SBR.


Having said that, the major components that constitute an AR pistol are:

1. Non-rifle lower.

2. <16" barrel.

3. Buffer-tube (with or with an arm-brace/stabilizer).

4. NEVER having a legally defined/determined buttstock.



Hope that helps!

Thanks Stomper,

I'm just "kicking the can" about some parts I have and what to add to, or do with them.
I think the key here might be, "serialized" lower.

 

[keeseckb]

Soon as I can afford it, I am going to add one of these to my 10.5" pistol build. It should bring it well over 27" so it will become just a "firearm", rather than a "pistol" opening up a bunch of options, mainly front grips.
DFA Modified Cycle System - RIFLE CALIBER - with Right Side Folding Stock Adaptor | Dead Foot Arms LLC

I really like the system, that allows full function, folded.

I thought that if it has a barrel less than 16" you cannot put a rifle stock on it... no matter what the overall length is.

 

[Garg]

I thought that if it has a barrel less than 16" you cannot put a rifle stock on it... no matter what the overall length is.

Yeah, I said front grip.

 

[keeseckb]

You listed a link to a rifle stock to attach to a 10.5 barrel. Wouldn't that make it an SBR?

 

[Garg]

Yeah, you put on a pistol brace, to keep it legal. Check #7, about the OAL..

 

[keeseckb]

Gotcha. I didn't realize the folding adapter could be used with a pistol brace. When I glanced at it all I saw was "stock adapter" and "rifles". Thanks for clarifying!

That's a cool chart too!

 

[Garg]

My pleasure. I hope I didn't come off as anything but trying to be helpful. It's the way around here.

Yeah, the Gizmo does a bunch of cool stuff. Allows for folded operation, un like the other folding types, re-engineered operating system, that gives you just enough length, using a 10.5" barrel, to get you over the OAL. Just.

 

[Diamondback]

Well, as hard as it may be to believe... under the chart, you could legally take a milspec M4 upper with unpinned FH (14.5, normally NFA SBR) and just slap it on a pistol lower and you're good to go!

Believe it or not, THIS is a pistol (well, Other Title 1 Firearm) at around 28" OAL...


And those are 40-round Pmags, not the normal 30! (And if you think that's bad, if it goes forward my GL/SSC is gonna be rockin' two 60-round drums, two 45's on the rear and another 40 or two up front...)

 

[Garg]

And the thing that goes up LOL

 

[Diamondback]

And the thing that goes up LOL

Why yes, actually the maingrip does exactly that on the build I posted... GL/SSC:TNG isn't going to need to fit in a briefcase for discreet carry (the concept is a Bedside/House Gun, while Mk 18 Mod Briefcase is more Vehicle/Bugout Bag/PDW) so I'm thinking stick with fixed there.

EDIT: Actually, the GL/SSC might be a good Backwoods Hiking Gun, so maybe it needs a folder on both grip and buffer after all... even though that means giving up the second 60 for a 37mm M203 flare-launcher.