Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Cool Question about my AR pistol build

    Hi pafoa, I recently assembled an AR pistol, has 10.5" barrel, I tried to swap out the standard A2 bird cage with a 7" fake can muzzle brake ( I know I know, I'm lame , but I think it is gonna looks cool since the fake can and my barrel are both stainless lol) anyway, my question is , if I add this muzzle device onto my 10.5 barrel, does it makes my pistol become a rifle lol?

    Base on my researching, this will not turn my pistol into a rifle , it's not part of the barrel unless I weld the extension onto the barrel which makes it permanent.

    just wanna make sure it is still a pistol

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Don't put a stock on it. Pistols can have any barrel length.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    If you’re asking if it is still a pistol because you’d like to still be able to carry it loaded in a vehicle, here is my advice...

    Don’t mix mallinja toys with true SD weapons. Keep them at the range.

    The short answer to your question: No

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Not trying to carry it lol my 45 goes with me .. but it would be nice to keep it loaded whenever I go to the range

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    I though to define a pistol, barrel must be less then 16" , nothing to do with the stock , I might be wrong.. I don't have a stock on it.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Quote Originally Posted by Slowassmiata View Post
    I though to define a pistol, barrel must be less then 16" , nothing to do with the stock , I might be wrong.. I don't have a stock on it.
    The 16" defines a short barreled rifle.

    *or maybe I should say is one of the factors that differentiates between a rifle & a short barreled rifle.
    "It seems that the Constitution is more or less guidelines than actual rules"
    My feedback: http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=305685

  7. #7
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    Southern Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Quote Originally Posted by Slowassmiata View Post
    I though to define a pistol, barrel must be less then 16" , nothing to do with the stock , I might be wrong.. I don't have a stock on it.
    Unless you permanently attach your muzzle device (weld/pin) your barrel is still 10.5".
    Because Failure Is Not An Option

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Putting any REMOVEABLE object on the end of the barrel will not change what the firearm is designated. That said, putting something on the butt end CAN change the designation of the firearm (put a buttstock on a pistol AR and you've just turned it into an illegal SBR. Put a pistol buffer on a 16" AR rifle and you've made it (according to the BATFE) into an illegal pistol - however, you can make a pistol into a rifle and then back into a pistol if you want

    Can I lawfully make a pistol into a rifle without registering that firearm?
    Assuming that the firearm was originally a pistol, the resulting firearm, with an attached shoulder stock, is not an NFA firearm if it has a barrel of 16 inches or more in length. Pursuant to ATF Ruling 2011-4, such rifle may later be unassembled and again configured as a pistol. Such configuration would not be considered a “weapon made from a rifle” as defined by 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)(4).

    [26 U.S.C. § 5845, 27 C.F.R. § 479.11; ATF Ruling 2011-4]
    Ron USAF Ret E-8 FFL01/SOT3 NRA Benefactor Member

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Quote Originally Posted by Xringshooter View Post
    ~snip
    Put a pistol buffer on a 16" AR rifle and you've made it (according to the BATFE) into an illegal pistol - however, you can make a pistol into a rifle and then back into a pistol if you want

    ~snip
    I've not yet come across this, can you elaborate?

    Never mind I miss-read. To clarify- You can build a "pistol" AR with pistol buffer tube & 16" barrel, but you can't take a "Born Rifle" and change to a "pistol" regardless of barrel length.
    Last edited by ExFlyinguy; April 11th, 2018 at 10:26 AM.
    "It seems that the Constitution is more or less guidelines than actual rules"
    My feedback: http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=305685

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Question about my AR pistol build

    Quote Originally Posted by Slowassmiata View Post
    I though to define a pistol, barrel must be less then 16" , nothing to do with the stock , I might be wrong.. I don't have a stock on it.

    Pistol is defined as a firearm that is designed to be held and fired with 1 hand regardless of length. 1 inch or 1 mile - it doesn't matter.

    To PA's UFA for coverage under a LTCF - <15" barreled pistol/revolver or overall length less than 26" is a "firearm"(PA definition).

    The addition of a shoulder stock transforms the gun into a rifle or short-barreled rifle, respective of barrel and overall lengths. ....the shoulder stock is the determining feature.
    RIP: SFN, 1861, twoeggsup, Lambo, jamesjo, JayBell, 32 Magnum, Pro2A, mrwildroot, dregan, Frenchy, Fragger, ungawa, Mtn Jack, Grapeshot, R.W.J., PennsyPlinker, Statkowski, Deanimator, roland, aubie515

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