Lower question for those in the know

[BIGSHOVEL]

I bought a S&W MP 15 lower with trigger group and collapsable stock no upper, new in the box from a gun shop. I would like to turn that into a 7" pistol. Do I need any NFA paperwork, is it legal or a no go.

Thanks in advance,

Brad

[CHEMICAL]

I'm pretty sure as long as an upper has never been mounted youre good to go, you just have to install the proper pistol buffer tube....however since it already has a rifle boffertube on it , it might be an issue, I could be wrong too...(its been known to happen)

[ReconLdr]

I bought a S&W MP 15 lower with trigger group and collapsable stock no upper, new in the box from a gun shop. I would like to turn that into a 7" pistol. Do I need any NFA paperwork, is it legal or a no go.

Thanks in advance,

Brad

As I understand it, if the lower is marked as a pistol it can be made into a pistol, if it is not marked as a pistol you can not legally make it a pistol.

I am not an FFL or a lawyer, this is how it was explained to me when I got my lower.

[J Krammes]

It had a stock on it, so NO. It can NEVER be a pistol. If you get a virgin receiver it is possible. To be safe, get one that is marked pistol. Once you put a stock on a lower in the eyes of the ATF it will always be considered a rifle.

Jeremy

[mojo]

Technically once the lower has a stock on it, the lower can no longer be used as a pistol.

For a pistol build you need to buy a stripped lower. The fact that it's marked pistol or not doesn't really matter. Some people just feel better that way.

[Pa. Patriot]

It had a stock on it, so NO. It can NEVER be a pistol.

Technically once the lower has a stock on it, the lower can no longer be used as a pistol.

Correct.

Although it CAN be converted to a pistol if one obtains an approved Form-1 . (but not without)

But yes, once the stock is on it, it is a long gun. The upper is not relevant.

[Pa. Patriot]

As I understand it, if the lower is marked as a pistol it can be made into a pistol, if it is not marked as a pistol you can not legally make it a pistol.

I am not an FFL or a lawyer, this is how it was explained to me when I got my lower.

Whoever told you that has no idea what they are talking about.

The "pistol" marking is 1000% irrelevant to anything.

[J Krammes]

Correct.

Although it CAN be converted to a pistol if one obtains an approved Form-1 . (but not without)

A Form 1 makes it a Short Barrel Rifle, not a pistol. You can put the stock on or leave to off. It doesn't matter with a F1. You can get to the pistol version, but it still makes it a Tital II weapon.

Jeremy

[Pa. Patriot]

A Form 1 makes it a Short Barrel Rifle, not a pistol. You can put the stock on or leave to off. It doesn't matter with a F1. You can get to the pistol version, but it still makes it a Tital II weapon.

Form-1 is not just for SBR...

You can create a pistol from a rifle with a form-1 also. See F1 instructions 1(c)(4)

If one were to write "pistol" in 4.b. it would fall under 1(c)(4) as it is being made from a rifle into a OAL/barrel length less than 26/16, but is not a rifle (no stock) as is provided for in 1(c)(3) ..... Yes, title-II it would be, but it can be done. The point was that a rifle CAN be made into a pistol.