AR pistol vs. SBR, what are the differences?

[Kaos]

So Pa.Pat,

You're saying that the lower I have sitting at home, since it's never been assembled, I can just build it up as a pistol...Im not sure If I'm reading you right?

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

Poor choice of words. By "register", I mean the lower is written up as a pistol when you purchase it.

[mojo]

So Pa.Pat,

You're saying that the lower I have sitting at home, since it's never been assembled, I can just build it up as a pistol...Im not sure If I'm reading you right?

My understanding is ... Yes. Your correct, you can build any stripped lower (that was purchased stripped from manufacture) into a pistol.

[Kaos]

My understanding is ... Yes. Your correct, you can build any stripped lower (that was purchased stripped from manufacture) into a pistol.

Ahhh, here's the rub...stripped from FTF deal? Guess it would be what it was whenever the original buyer bought it.

[mojo]

Ahhh, here's the rub...stripped from FTF deal?

As long as it's never been assembled you should be GTG. If the seller had it built up as a rifle, dis-assembled it ... technically you can't build it.

So as long as the lower was not bought initially as a complete rifle or the previous owner never built up the receiver, you should be fine.

Now, not sure how it could be proved/dis-proved that some did/didn't buy a stripped lower from say BCM/STAG/etc build it up as a rifle, stripped it down, than sold it. But that's my understanding of the whole situation.

[Pa. Patriot]

So Pa.Pat,

You're saying that the lower I have sitting at home, since it's never been assembled, I can just build it up as a pistol...Im not sure If I'm reading you right?

Yes. Correct.

October 1, 1992


Firearms Technical Branch
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
650 Mass. Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20226

Dear Sirs:

The Greensboro, NC BATF Compliance Office suggested that I write to
you for information on the following point.

I am interested on whether it is possible to have a commercially
manufactured rifle receiver changed to be legally considered to be a handgun
receiver, and how this can be done. The Compliance Office said that this
might be possible via a "Letter of Determination", but advised me to write
to you about the criteria and procedures.

For example, if a person has a rifle receiver and wishes to have it
built into a rifle-caliber handgun suitable for steel silhouette target
shooting, comparable to the bolt action Remington XP-100 handgun. I
understand that the serial number of this receiver is recorded as being for a
rifle. Could this person have this receiver's serial number considered to be
a handgun receiver? If so, what procedures and paperwork would be
necessary.

Sincerely,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Oct 29 1992
Dear Mr. XXXXX:

This refers to your letter of October 1, 1992, in which you inquire
about the legality of manufacturing a handgun which utilizes a rifle
type receiver.

26 U.S.C. Chapter 53 # 5845(a)(4), the National Firearms Act (NFA),
defines the term "firearm" to include a weapon made from a rifle if
such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches
or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length.

Utilizing the receiver of an existing rifle for the purposes of
manufacturing a handgun would constitute the making of a firearm as
defined above. Individuals desiring to make such a firearm must first
submit an ATF Form 1, Application To Make And Register a Firearm and
pay the applicable $200 making tax.

If an individual were to obtain a rifle type receiver that had not
previously been utilized in the assembly of a rifle, a handgun could be
made and not be subject to the provisions of the NFA. Verification
must be obtained from the manufacturer of the receiver to establish
its authenticity.

We trust the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry. If we may
be of any further assistance, please contact us.

Sincerely your,
(signed)
Edward M. Owen, Jr.
Chief, Firearms Technology Branch

[Kaos]

Neat, stripped lower might be about to meet pistol parts...

[nfafan]

Arriving late to the party, it seems from MY readings of this thread, that if the mfg of the stripped lower can provide you a letter proving that they sold a stripped unassembled lower, S/N XXXXX, to some wholesaler, then you are GTG!
Guess if the said they sold an assembled RIFLE, S/N XXXXX, then not so GTG...

[Kaos]

YEEEEEAH.

I emailed DPMS about the lower, since it has a "K" at the end of the serial number that means it left them as a stripped receiver.

This will make my SBR build much easier. I'll just build the top end how I want and once the form 1 gets approved, DING! add a butt stock.