Might be shipping a paratrooper carbine and was wondering if it is legally considered a rifle or a pistol due to the folding stock.
Thanks

Rifle, as long as you use it on a standard length Carbine. If you try and use it on a "Enforcer" style Carbine then it's part of a SBR

Thanks. That's what I figured.

This is the carbine in question:

https://www.inland-mfg.com/Inland-Carbines/M1A1-Paratrooper.html

Good info:

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/overview-assessment-commercial-carbines-mfg-today_topic2587.html


The best modern made M1 Carbine:

https://www.fulton-armory.com/M1-Carbine-Rifles.aspx

So is a folding stock rifle "measured" when the stock is extended? seems the ATF has definitions which require specific measurements of barrel and total length

Yes, overall length is measured with the stock fully extended

If your interested in a modern production M1A1 I would strongly suggest avoiding the "New" production Inlands. Their basically rebadged Auto Ordnance with a 3rd party bolt group. The later has had major problems with QC and bolt shearing issues as listed in the Carbine Collectors write up.

For what "New" Inland asks for their M1A1 your better off spending the $421 price difference and getting the Fulton Armory model. If that's a issue then I suggest getting the A/O version instead. You can find them cheaper on Gunbroker with some work, this for example

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/869259228  

Or this NIB one

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/868815939

The major differences between the "New" Inland and A/O Paratrooper models with be the rear sight, bolt and bayonet lug, The A/O is a "correct" WWII configuration, the "New" Inland postwar rebuild.

I owned the A/O "standard" Carbine years ago (2007-08) and it was a POS IMO, constantly jamming and having FTF's. I sent it back 2-3 times to A/O and all they would do is chop the USGI magazines I would send them (which worked in the Carbines I owned at the time) to fit the receiver, not correct the issues mention in the write linked.

I currently own a Fulton Armory M-1, it's like owning a new issue USGI Carbine, no issues and the only FTF I've had so far is mag related. I'm really tempted to buy the Para model myself but own 3 other Carbines now, I don't really need a 5th one

Just to wet your whistle

   

My FA is on the left, then 2 USGI Inlands and a "Howa" Made in Japan model. The latter 3 have been through complete rebuilds by Fulton and have new chrome lined barrels, plus the FA I bought the upgraded chrome lining. That extends the life on a barrel and gives you a better rifle overall than the USGI issue ones imo

Pretty sure that if the barrel is 16” or longer AOL doesn’t much figure into the rifle definition...