Building a pistol, going with Sig brace, the first one. Lower is complete. (Giessele SD-C, Phase 5 Hex-2, etc.) I did want to go with a 10.5" bbl. I know length
must stay below 26".
1. am I correct that so long as the muzzle device is not pinned it does not count in OAL length?
2. Because Im using the Phase 5 Hex-2 the Sig brace is held out a bit, does the OAL count from tip of bbl to end of brace?
Or tip of bbl to end of buffer tube?

Should I just go 7" or 8"?
Any help would be great,
Thanks.

First, for your pistol build, you can be over 26".  That 26" is when you can add a vfg because it's no longer a pistol, but a firearm.
1.  Correct
2.  Buffer tube.

Kinda-sorta. It's a pistol at any length. If you go over 26'' AND add a VFG, it's a "firearm". Just being over 26'' doesn't mean anything.

OP you can go with what ever barrel length you want. In Texas, there is no OAL max for pistols.

Excellent, thank you guys!

10.5" it is!





(I know, I know....never shoulder....never forget)