Foregrip on AR Pistol?

[Thrillz]

Planning out an AR pistol build, probably going to go somewhere around 7" to 9" barrel on it, but thinking about a fore grip, whats the legality right now? I know (or think at least) that straight vertical stick type grips are out the window, but are angled like the Magpul AFG or handstops still legal on an AR?

And since were talking AR pistol legalities, how about the braces? Are "blade" and "arm brace" types still good to go? I remember seeing recently that the ATF was considering otherwise, but hadnt seen or heard anything else.

Pretty excited to build another AR. Had so much fun putting together the last one. This time Im building the whole thing instead of ordering a finished upper and parting out the lower. Already ordered a white upper, lower, and 7" M-Lok handguard (I know a lot of people dont like white, its not "tactical" or whatever, but I like the black parts on white look), just waiting for it to be shipped.

[Emptymag]

Everything you mentioned is legal except for a vertical grip.

Have at it.


EDIT: I believe a vert grip CAN be used on a pistol provided the pistol has a length of over XX inches

[Thrillz]

I thought thats what it was, thanks for confirming. It looks like its over 26" total length starting from the back of the buffer tube to the barrel tip, which mine probably wont be in line with that.

Ive been looking for parts online all day today, and Im finding just about everything except the barrel. Googling "AR15 barrel" and every site on the first page is sold out of just about all their 5.56 barrels. I guess Ill have to wait a while to be able to grab one.

[Emptymag]

I thought thats what it was, thanks for confirming. It looks like its over 26" total length starting from the back of the buffer tube to the barrel tip, which mine probably wont be in line with that.

Ive been looking for parts online all day today, and Im finding just about everything except the barrel. Googling "AR15 barrel" and every site on the first page is sold out of just about all their 5.56 barrels. I guess Ill have to wait a while to be able to grab one.

Challenge accepted.
I don't want to see a build held up over something as simple as a barrel.

BRB...

[USMC3531]

I m sure theres a barrel in my stash...

[Emptymag]

8" Ballistic Advantage - $109 free shipping
https://www.righttobear.com/Ballisti...abl556003m.htm

7.5" Ballistic Advantage - $123.50 free shipping
https://aimsurplus.com/ballistic-adv...modern-series/

7.5" generic barrel - $98.00
https://www.cbcindustries.com/produc...ato-17-110332/

10.5" generic barrel - $99.00
https://www.cbcindustries.com/produc...-56x45-barrel/


I'm still looking. I didn't realize PISTOL barrels were so hard to find now!

[Emptymag]

7.5" Stainless generic barrel - $109.15
https://midstatefirearms.com/75-Stai...el-75ssbrl.htm

7.5" 5.56/.223 Wylde generic barrel - $104.61
https://midstatefirearms.com/75-556-...rrel-75brl.htm

[Thrillz]

Everythings getting hard to find. I went a week or so ago to check out pistols at my local shop and they were down to pretty much nothing. A couple of the real expensive ARs and AKs still in stock, but no ammo for them. No defensive ammo for common handgun calibers. And a lot of the handgun displays were empty or damn near. They did happen to have a CZ75B tho, which was the first time Id seen one in a shop, so I took it home with me lol.

Ive got another week or 2 before my upper and lower get shipped and delivered anyways, so its not like the barrel is the only thing left holding me up. But I will definitely check out the links you posted. Thanks!

[Emptymag]

I disregarded any that I found that were $150 and over, but so far, that first one I linked - the 8" Ballistic Advantage - is probably the one I would choose out of the ones I found so far. Free shipping on your entire order with that one.
BA is a good/trusted brand.
It all depends on what you want though - that one may be slightly heavier than an "M4" style profile barrel.
It's not nitride coated, but not a deal breaker - unless that's something you want.

[Xringshooter]

Everything you mentioned is legal except for a vertical grip.

Have at it.


EDIT: I believe a vert grip CAN be used on a pistol provided the pistol has a length of over XX inches

Not according to the BATFE

According to the BATFE's NFA Handbook a second vertical handgrip (the first vertical handgrip is the handgrip on the lower if an AR) makes a pistol an "AOW" (Any Other Weapon) and and subjects it to the NFA because the weapon is now not designed to be fired when held in one hand.

FYI, Federal law currently does not define "Vertical Fore Grip"; however, ATF has determined that a grip of this type is distinguished by being both forward of the magazine well and oriented at a perpendicular (90-degree) angle to the bore of the weapon

Here is the full text from the BATFE:

May 4, 2006
ADDING A VERTICAL FORE GRIP TO A HANDGUN
“Handgun” is defined under Federal law to mean, in part, a firearm which has a short stock and
is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand…. Gun Control Act of 1968, 18
U.S.C. § 921(a)(29).

Under an implementing regulation of the National Firearms Act (NFA), 27 C.F.R. § 479.11,
“pistol” is defined as:

… a weapon originally designed, made, and intended to fire a projectile (bullet) from one or
more barrels when held in one hand, and having (a) a chamber(s) as an integral part(s) of, or
permanently aligned with, the bore(s); and (b) a short stock designed to be gripped by one hand
and at an angle to and extending below the line of the bore(s).

The NFA further defines the term “any other weapon” (AOW) as:
… any weapon or device capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be
discharged through the energy of an explosive, a pistol or revolver having a barrel with a smooth
bore designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell, weapons with combination shotgun and
rifle barrels 12 inches or more, less than 18 inches in length, from which only a single discharge
can be made from either barrel without manual reloading, and shall include any such weapon
which may be readily restored to fire. Such term shall not include a pistol or revolver having a
rifled bore, or rifled bores, or weapons designed, made, or intended to be fired from the shoulder
and not capable of firing fixed ammunition. 26 U.S.C. § 5845(e).

ATF has long held that by installing a vertical fore grip on a handgun, the handgun is no longer
designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand. Therefore, if individuals install a
vertical fore grip on a handgun, they are “making” a firearm requiring registration with ATF’s
NFA Branch. Making an unregistered “AOW” is punishable by a fine and 10 years’
imprisonment. Additionally, possession of an unregistered “AOW” is also punishable by fine and
10 years’ imprisonment.

To lawfully add a vertical fore grip to a handgun, a person must make an appropriate application
on ATF Form 1, “Application to Make and Register a Firearm.” The applicant must submit the
completed form, along with a fingerprint card bearing the applicant’s fingerprints; a photograph;
and $200.00. The application will be reviewed by the NFA Branch. If the applicant is not
prohibited from possessing a firearm under Federal, State, or local law, and possession of an
“AOW” is not prohibited in the applicant’s State of residence, the form will be approved. Only
then may the person add a vertical fore grip to the designated handgun.

A person may also send the handgun to a person licensed to manufacture NFA weapons. The
manufacturer will install the fore grip on the firearm and register the firearm on an ATF Form 2.
The manufacturer can then transfer the firearm back to the individual on an ATF Form 4, which
results in a $5.00 transfer tax. If the manufacturer is out of State, the NFA Branch will need a
clarification letter submitted with the ATF Form 4 so that the NFA Branch Examiner will know
the circumstances of the transfer. Questions can be directed to the NFA Branch or the Firearms
Technology Branch.

All that said, there is nothing (at this time) against mounting an angled foregrip to an AR pistol.