Archived Posts » 59,789,155
Can I use this lower?
11/12/2011 11:14:09 PM
I have a spare virgin lower lying around that I would like to use but I think I might have a paperwork problem with it. I bought a stripped lower about 8 years ago before there was a stripped lower option on the 4473 and we had to list them as either "rifle" or "pistol" receivers. Since I bought mine out of state on a road trip it was marked as a stripped "rifle" lower on the 4473 even though it was a virgin receiver. I was outside my home state and I couldn't purchase a pistol there (luv them laws) and that determined how the lower was marked on the 4473. Since then I've had it sitting in my safe waiting to be built into a rifle but now with the new 4473 rules I was wondering how this would work out. Can I use my virgin, never been assembled, Armalite marked, lower receiver in a new pistol build
11/12/2011 11:36:34 PM
I'm not an ATF agent and I don't play one on TV but if it was sold as a rifle I would not make a pistol out of it. YMMV.
11/13/2011 12:32:54 AM
I dont play one either, but I am affirming the no way answer. Once a rifle, always a rifle. Is it stupid?, yes, is it the way it is though?, yes.
11/13/2011 1:13:09 AM
why not just get a brand new $55.99 lower and be done with it? 
11/13/2011 1:54:00 AM
Both posts above...
once a rifle... always a rifle
and $60 fix...
or get your tax stamp
Ultimate fix
once a rifle... always a rifle
and $60 fix...
or get your tax stamp
Ultimate fix11/13/2011 3:17:32 AM
If the description line on the 4473 said "stripped receiver" then you are GTG.
Prior to the "other" option, stripped receivers were supposed to be checkmarked "rifle", as anything other than a handgun was supposed to have been marked. The now couple-years old open letter is very clear in that a stripped receiver is neither a rifle nor a handgun, that there is no such thing as a "rifle receiver" or "pistol receiver" when talking about a new stripped receiver, so the term "stripped rifle receiver" is meaningless - it's a stripped receiver, period.
Incorrect as a general statement. A pistol can be changed to rifle configuration, then back to pistol at will. If it was originally built as a rifle, then it cannot be changed to pistol.
Prior to the "other" option, stripped receivers were supposed to be checkmarked "rifle", as anything other than a handgun was supposed to have been marked. The now couple-years old open letter is very clear in that a stripped receiver is neither a rifle nor a handgun, that there is no such thing as a "rifle receiver" or "pistol receiver" when talking about a new stripped receiver, so the term "stripped rifle receiver" is meaningless - it's a stripped receiver, period.
Originally Posted By Tire:
once a rifle... always a rifle
once a rifle... always a rifle
Incorrect as a general statement. A pistol can be changed to rifle configuration, then back to pistol at will. If it was originally built as a rifle, then it cannot be changed to pistol.
11/13/2011 3:26:11 AM
Originally Posted By Gamma762:
If the description line on the 4473 said "stripped receiver" then you are GTG.
Prior to the "other" option, stripped receivers were supposed to be checkmarked "rifle", as anything other than a handgun was supposed to have been marked. The now couple-years old open letter is very clear in that a stripped receiver is neither a rifle nor a handgun, that there is no such thing as a "rifle receiver" or "pistol receiver" when talking about a new stripped receiver, so the term "stripped rifle receiver" is meaningless - it's a stripped receiver, period.
Incorrect as a general statement. A pistol can be changed to rifle configuration, then back to pistol at will. If it was originally built as a rifle, then it cannot be changed to pistol.
If the description line on the 4473 said "stripped receiver" then you are GTG.
Prior to the "other" option, stripped receivers were supposed to be checkmarked "rifle", as anything other than a handgun was supposed to have been marked. The now couple-years old open letter is very clear in that a stripped receiver is neither a rifle nor a handgun, that there is no such thing as a "rifle receiver" or "pistol receiver" when talking about a new stripped receiver, so the term "stripped rifle receiver" is meaningless - it's a stripped receiver, period.
Originally Posted By Tire:
once REGISTERED AS a rifle... always a rifle
once REGISTERED AS a rifle... always a rifle
Incorrect as a general statement. A pistol can be changed to rifle configuration, then back to pistol at will. If it was originally built as a rifle, then it cannot be changed to pistol.
sorry forgot to use my crayons
11/13/2011 3:34:16 AM
Originally Posted By Tire:
sorry forgot to use my crayons
Originally Posted By Gamma762:
If the description line on the 4473 said "stripped receiver" then you are GTG.
Prior to the "other" option, stripped receivers were supposed to be checkmarked "rifle", as anything other than a handgun was supposed to have been marked. The now couple-years old open letter is very clear in that a stripped receiver is neither a rifle nor a handgun, that there is no such thing as a "rifle receiver" or "pistol receiver" when talking about a new stripped receiver, so the term "stripped rifle receiver" is meaningless - it's a stripped receiver, period.
Incorrect as a general statement. A pistol can be changed to rifle configuration, then back to pistol at will. If it was originally built as a rifle, then it cannot be changed to pistol.
If the description line on the 4473 said "stripped receiver" then you are GTG.
Prior to the "other" option, stripped receivers were supposed to be checkmarked "rifle", as anything other than a handgun was supposed to have been marked. The now couple-years old open letter is very clear in that a stripped receiver is neither a rifle nor a handgun, that there is no such thing as a "rifle receiver" or "pistol receiver" when talking about a new stripped receiver, so the term "stripped rifle receiver" is meaningless - it's a stripped receiver, period.
Originally Posted By Tire:
once REGISTERED AS a rifle... always a rifle
once REGISTERED AS a rifle... always a rifle
Incorrect as a general statement. A pistol can be changed to rifle configuration, then back to pistol at will. If it was originally built as a rifle, then it cannot be changed to pistol.
sorry forgot to use my crayons
And which state are you in that does registration for Title I firearms?
11/19/2011 7:31:23 PM
I cant find the letter right now, but i know its on here from the director of the firearms division of the ATF. He affirmed that a rifle is not a rifle until complete with barrel longer than 16 inches and containing a buttstock. The guy who
wrote asked about a stocked reciever he had that had never been attached to any upper reciever. The question was to whether or not he could remove the stock and make it into a pistol. The director stated that since the reciever
was never attached to an upper of any sort it remained a reciever and a reciever alone. Therefore never having been made into a rifle. So the answer to your question is yes you can, at least thats how myself and Gamma see it. For
good measure i would definately have a copy of the reciept/4473, and a picture of your "lone" reciever. That way if anything stupid did come of it, you could defend yourself. You should never take no for an answer though, if you
really want the truth, write a letter to the ATF, that way if anyone ever has the same problem you can help them also. This is the only way we will ever be able to trump the ATF and hopefully one day work our way out of this insane
Debocle these bureaucrats have made for us.
wrote asked about a stocked reciever he had that had never been attached to any upper reciever. The question was to whether or not he could remove the stock and make it into a pistol. The director stated that since the reciever
was never attached to an upper of any sort it remained a reciever and a reciever alone. Therefore never having been made into a rifle. So the answer to your question is yes you can, at least thats how myself and Gamma see it. For
good measure i would definately have a copy of the reciept/4473, and a picture of your "lone" reciever. That way if anything stupid did come of it, you could defend yourself. You should never take no for an answer though, if you
really want the truth, write a letter to the ATF, that way if anyone ever has the same problem you can help them also. This is the only way we will ever be able to trump the ATF and hopefully one day work our way out of this insane
Debocle these bureaucrats have made for us.
11/19/2011 9:02:47 PM
Originally Posted By zshier17:
I cant find the letter right now
I cant find the letter right now
It's the very first post in the sticky "ATF Letters" thread in this very forum.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_122/525036_Request___Scans_of_any_letters_from_the_BATFE__that_pertain_to_AR_pistols.html
11/20/2011 12:45:33 PM
Originally posted by Gamma762: It's the very first post in the sticky "ATF Letters" thread in this very forum.
Ya that was my screw up, it took about 2 minutes to find it after i wrote that post and then started looking for it. thanks anyways though
11/20/2011 10:36:45 PM
Originally Posted By rsc:
I have a spare virgin lower lying around that I would like to use but I think I might have a paperwork problem with it. I bought a stripped lower about 8 years ago before there was a stripped lower option on the 4473 and we had to list them as either "rifle" or "pistol" receivers. Since I bought mine out of state on a road trip it was marked as a stripped "rifle" lower on the 4473 even though it was a virgin receiver. I was outside my home state and I couldn't purchase a pistol there (luv them laws) and that determined how the lower was marked on the 4473. Since then I've had it sitting in my safe waiting to be built into a rifle but now with the new 4473 rules I was wondering how this would work out. Can I use my virgin, never been assembled, Armalite marked, lower receiver in a new pistol build
I have a spare virgin lower lying around that I would like to use but I think I might have a paperwork problem with it. I bought a stripped lower about 8 years ago before there was a stripped lower option on the 4473 and we had to list them as either "rifle" or "pistol" receivers. Since I bought mine out of state on a road trip it was marked as a stripped "rifle" lower on the 4473 even though it was a virgin receiver. I was outside my home state and I couldn't purchase a pistol there (luv them laws) and that determined how the lower was marked on the 4473. Since then I've had it sitting in my safe waiting to be built into a rifle but now with the new 4473 rules I was wondering how this would work out. Can I use my virgin, never been assembled, Armalite marked, lower receiver in a new pistol build
OP
I am glad you asked this question as I have been thinking lately about assembling a pistol from a virgin lower bought 5-6 years ago. I do not recall how it was listed on the 4473. After reading the letter linked i think it should be GTG and I intend to document the build well should there ever be a question.
When I bought it I never thought I wanted a pistol....There's a lot of stuff I never thought I wanted till I starting hanging around this place
11/24/2011 3:49:32 AM
There is no registration in the vast majority of states. As stated by others above, if you never built it as a rifle, you're good to go to build it as a pistol. Doesn't matter what the 4473 says.
