I bought a stripped lower last week from Curt's.  I am thinking maybe I want to build it into a pistol.  I have heard conflicting info as to whether this is legal or not.  Some people say it is perfectly legal to use to build a pistol. Others have told me it is illegal unless it was listed as a pistol during the background check. Which is it?

Should be GTG as long as it's listed as "other" which it is because it's not a rifle and it's not a pistol. Did Curt's list what it was that they sold? Some dealers, (I can't imagine Curt's would) list them as a rifle.

FYI, if you put it together as a pistol first it can always be converted to a rifle and back to a pistol but NEVER the opposite. First a rifle, always a rifle.

That's why all of my builds get put together as a pistol and get a mugshot, even if it's going to be a rifle.

Gents, chime in if incorrect but that is the way that it was interpreted to me.

Thanks oregunner.  

This echoes what I have heard before.  When I purchased this lower, I had only intended to use it as a rifle so I did not pay attention to what Curt's called it. Then just a few nights ago it dawned on me, that I could build my first pistol with it instead of another rifle.  Assuming it wouldn't get me in some sort of legal trouble.

If you bought a stripped reciever from Curts. It is a receiver, and you can build it out as a pistol. OR a rifle. They are listed on the 4473 as a receiver. And you by law, can build it as a pistol or a rifle.

Fridge is correct. If I'm not mistaken ANY lower, even a factory lower with a stock, can be made into a pistol provided it has NEVER had a 16"+ upper on it.

So, in theory, you could buy a complete rifle lower from PSA, take stock off (carbine extension is g2g on pistols) THEN add short upper and be good to go. Everything is just a receiver until it gets an upper.

2 of my lowers started as stripped than became pistols and have now been converted to rifles.

YMMV but I've had 8.5", 10.5", and 11.5" AR pistols and they're nothing special. Consider a pinned 14.5 or just SBR a 10"

Agree with above. I only have a pistol tube to run while waiting on forms. SBR all day.

What's an AR pistol?

I'm undecided at this point on whether I will build a pistol or a rifle.  I can't afford to build either at the moment and will have to wait until payday at the end of the month.  I have a few rifles already. I have never had an AR pistol before.  The pistol seems mildly intriguing for its ability to be carried concealed with a CHL.

As far as the SBR is concerned, I can't imagine I would ever go this route.  I do not understand any of the Class III laws.  I tried researching how to do it online a few years ago and it seems complex and confusing.  I don't know that I want to take a chance of accidentally filling out papers incorrectly or not adhering to the law correctly and somehow getting thrown in Federal prison for several years for an innocent mistake because I misunderstood the law.Doesn't seem worth the risk to me for a few inches of barrel.

SBR process is not as difficult as many would claim it is. A pistol is a decent option if you want to bypass the sbr process. If you do a pistol build, my reccomendation is avoid any "brace" marketed to avoid any misinterpretation. If you have more questions about either a pistol or the sbr process, swing by Curts, and ask for J.R. The ginger with the red beard.

Hey Thanks Fridge72!   Next time I'm down that way, I'll stop by.  I would like to know more about the SBR process.  Other than people online at this forum, I haven't known anybody that I could actually discuss it with in person.

No problem.