Stockless Thompson

[Sgt.K]

I was going to ask this on another thread, but I thought I show it some of its own love.

I have a current Kahr Arms/Auto Ordnance/Thompson 1927 with 16½" barrel. The stock comes off fairly readily for cleaning and the like.

Given the 16+" barrel and forward pistol grip, am I into AOW or "Firearm" territory if I remove the stock for use? If removing the stock gets me into PMITA prison NFA territory, can an overzealous AFT agent give me grief for having had it off for cleaning?

Just curious about the possibles, not the likelys...

Curious, not worried, because reasons...

[DucatiRon]

I have one also. With a minimum 16" barrel and a O.A.L greater than 26" it's still a rifle. A stockless rifle but still a rifle.

Under 26" but with the 16" barrel (should) put you into the grey "firearm" category.

Under 16" barrel, under 26" with VFG = AOW.

Under 16" barrel, under 26" NO VFG = pistol.

Assuming all these measurements are with no buttstock. If adding in the buttstock then we add the SBR designation for the appropriate short barrel, which is not currently a question.

Just think of the removable stock as a side-folder without the hinge.

Side folding, underfolding, over folding, any rifle does not magically turn it into an NFA weapon or a pistol..Even if it's fired with the stock folded.

[sawgunner73]

If your firearm meets this definition, it would be an NFA firearm

d) 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;

[Sandcut]

I have one also. With a minimum 16" barrel and a O.A.L greater than 26" it's still a rifle. A stockless rifle but still a rifle.

Under 26" but with the 16" barrel (should) put you into the grey "firearm" category.

Under 16" barrel, under 26" with VFG = AOW.

Under 16" barrel, under 26" NO VFG = pistol.

Assuming all these measurements are with no buttstock. If adding in the buttstock then we add the SBR designation for the appropriate short barrel, which is not currently a question.

Just think of the removable stock as a side-folder without the hinge.

Side folding, underfolding, over folding, any rifle does not magically turn it into an NFA weapon or a pistol..Even if it's fired with the stock folded.

It is this level of clear, concise, high quality posting that keeps me here.

[Sgt.K]

If your firearm meets this definition, it would be an NFA firearm

d) 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;

For those who don't have one handy, from (roughly) the end of the muzzle to the back of the receiver, it measures a solid 28½ inches, so NOT under-length.

Schweet! Of course, I've yet to shoot the damn thing, so I'm just working out the hypotheticals.


P.S. - What if there were no hypothetical questions?