Plum Crazy lower: ATF letter? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plum Crazy lower: ATF letter?

Posted: 7/17/2011 11:49:54 PM EDT

I remember someone posting a build with a Plum Crazy lower, and a letter from the ATF stating that it was legal to use as long as it hadn't been barreled as a rifle prior to building the pistol.

I can not seem to find it to save my life. Does anyone have it? Or have a link to the original post/thread?

Thanks.

Posted: 7/18/2011 5:20:50 AM EDT

[#1]

I'm willing to bet 5 cherry limeades that you can't find it because it doesn't exist. Somebody might have posted a letter from ATF and some random member might have interpreted the letter to mean that, but it's really hard to believe that ATF would have written an opinion like that. It goes against all their previous AR15 rifle vs. pistol opinions.

Posted: 7/18/2011 6:30:22 AM EDT

[#2]

I have two Plum Crazy lowers that are registered as pistols in Michigan. Mine both came as stripped lowers with all the other parts in bags, just happened to ship in the same box. Since they were unassembled and had never had a stock on them, my FFL registered them as stripped receivers, allowing me to build them (without stock) into pistol lowers. Since I am in Michigan, I then had to register them as pistols with the state once they were complete. They are now lightweight .22 pistols and make for fun range toys.

Posted: 7/18/2011 7:17:15 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I'm willing to bet 5 cherry limeades that you can't find it because it doesn't exist. Somebody might have posted a letter from ATF and some random member might have interpreted the letter to mean that, but it's really hard to believe that ATF would have written an opinion like that. It goes against all their previous AR15 rifle vs. pistol opinions.

I don't get it ... it's just a stripped lower. Any lower classified as 'other' can be used to construct a pistol because it has not been classified as a 'rifle'.

Posted: 7/18/2011 8:07:59 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I'm willing to bet 5 cherry limeades that you can't find it because it doesn't exist. Somebody might have posted a letter from ATF and some random member might have interpreted the letter to mean that, but it's really hard to believe that ATF would have written an opinion like that. It goes against all their previous AR15 rifle vs. pistol opinions.

I don't get it ... it's just a stripped lower. Any lower classified as 'other' can be used to construct a pistol because it has not been classified as a 'rifle'.

State law may require something different. One state may require the virgin lower be registered as one or another. They are listed as other on the 4473. They should be listed as other in the bound book. I don't know if any state requires they be "nomenclatured" upon receipt at the dealer.

Posted: 7/18/2011 8:18:35 AM EDT

[#5]

As I understand it, it doesn't really matter how it was "classified" on a Form 4473, it only matters if it was ever actually configured AS a rifle. And this requires having more than a buttstock... an unbarreled receiver with a buttstock does not meet the ATF definition of a rifle. Again, this is just my current understanding, based on the most recent batches of letters (which are of questionable benefit should the ATF go after you.) I'm not a lawyer, and I stayed at home last night.

Posted: 7/18/2011 8:31:32 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I'm willing to bet 5 cherry limeades that you can't find it because it doesn't exist. Somebody might have posted a letter from ATF and some random member might have interpreted the letter to mean that, but it's really hard to believe that ATF would have written an opinion like that. It goes against all their previous AR15 rifle vs. pistol opinions.

I don't get it ... it's just a stripped lower. Any lower classified as 'other' can be used to construct a pistol because it has not been classified as a 'rifle'.

What you say is true. What I said is because the OP specifically asked about being barreled as a rifle. (emphasis by the OP)

Posted: 7/18/2011 8:37:14 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

I'm willing to bet 5 cherry limeades that you can't find it because it doesn't exist. Somebody might have posted a letter from ATF and some random member might have interpreted the letter to mean that, but it's really hard to believe that ATF would have written an opinion like that. It goes against all their previous AR15 rifle vs. pistol opinions.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_122/525036_Request___Scans_of_any_letters_from_the_BATFE__that_pertain_to_AR_pistols.html

I want my 5 cherry limeades

OP, it's one of the stickied threads at the top of the forum, the one labeled Request Scans of any letters from the BATFE that pertain to AR pistols.

And it's the first letter in that thread.

Quoted:

What you say is true. What I said is because the OP specifically asked about being barreled as a rifle. (emphasis by the OP)

OP said as long as it had NOT been barreled as a rifle. Which is what the letter states, stock is fine, stock + barrel makes it a rifle that can never be assembled as a pistol.

Posted: 7/18/2011 9:18:52 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

I want my 5 cherry limeades

]OP said as long as it had NOT been barreled as a rifle. Which is what the letter states, stock is fine, stock + barrel makes it a rifle that can never be assembled as a pistol.

I guess I read too much into the OP. I thought if he was asking if the barrel was the sole factor and stock didn't matter any more.

I can't see a way to weasel out of it, I owe you 5 cherry limeades.

Posted: 7/18/2011 6:07:55 PM EDT

[#9]

You must read into the statement "barreled as a rifle" This is more then just a barrel. In order to be considered a rifle it must be a weapon designed and intended to be fired from the shoulder. Therefore "barreled as a rifle" means a firearm with a butt stock and a barrel capable of firing a projectile.

Posted: 7/18/2011 9:18:55 PM EDT

[#10]

*cough*

A receiver is not a rifle until it has a buttstock AND a barrel.

A lower with a buttstock but NEVER having had an upper on it is still an receiver with a buttstock, and is not a rifle or SBR until barreled.

Same goes for pistol.

Pistol buffer tube with no upper and never having been barreled is also just a lower receiver.

Posted: 7/19/2011 3:56:23 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

*cough*

A receiver is not a rifle until it has a buttstock AND a barrel.

A lower with a buttstock but NEVER having had an upper on it is still an receiver with a buttstock, and is not a rifle or SBR until barreled.

Same goes for pistol.

Pistol buffer tube with no upper and never having been barreled is also just a lower receiver.

Almost.

(29) The term "handgun" means - 
        (A) a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be
      held and fired by the use of a single hand; and
        (B) any combination of parts from which a firearm described in
      subparagraph (A) can be assembled.

A receiver along with any combination of parts to assemble a pistol can still be a handgun.

Posted: 7/21/2011 11:36:30 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I'm willing to bet 5 cherry limeades that you can't find it because it doesn't exist. Somebody might have posted a letter from ATF and some random member might have interpreted the letter to mean that, but it's really hard to believe that ATF would have written an opinion like that. It goes against all their previous AR15 rifle vs. pistol opinions.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_122/525036_Request___Scans_of_any_letters_from_the_BATFE__that_pertain_to_AR_pistols.html

I want my 5 cherry limeades

OP, it's one of the stickied threads at the top of the forum, the one labeled Request Scans of any letters from the BATFE that pertain to AR pistols.

And it's the first letter in that thread.

Quoted:

What you say is true. What I said is because the OP specifically asked about being barreled as a rifle. (emphasis by the OP)

OP said as long as it had NOT been barreled as a rifle. Which is what the letter states, stock is fine, stock + barrel makes it a rifle that can never be assembled as a pistol.

Ah

Thanks. Now to move forward with the project...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Plum Crazy lower: ATF letter?

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