AK Sponsor
Posted: 12/19/2007 11:23:40 AM EDT
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I have heard, over and over, that if you have the underfolder rear trunnion and hole for the stock in the receiver, you can't build a pistol. It will be considered a SBR and you will be prosecuted if caught. Now, I am hearing, that as long as you don't install the stock, you are fine and legal. Others have made the point that adding a stock to an AR pistol only takes minutes, yet AR pistols are legal. Now, I am confused... 
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1st off, I recommend you consult with a competant attorney or call NFA Branch and ask them. If you write them a letter, they will reply with a written answer, which is always best. To my "non-expert" understanding, the fact that the AK pistol has a rifle rear trunion is irrelevant. What matters when you have an SBR-ready pistol is.....Do you have a mateable stock in your posession without a tax stamp. If so, then that's Constructive Intent, and therefore a chargeable NFA violation. Intent is a crime in itself. In other words, you have the "means" and therefore the "intent" to mate the two (pistol & stock) to build an illegal unregistered SBR. You should leave the stock with someone else, or a gun shop. An example would be the Vector V-53 (.223) and V-51 (.308) pistols, both of which are SBR-ready. They come with an removeable back plate that pops off in seconds. All you do is push out a pin or two. Once off, all you have to do is slap on a full or collapsable stock, and BAM, you've got an SBR. Vector even ships the SBR-ready pistols with a letter stating that you cannot add a stock without NFA registration. Now if you went ahead and bought a stock for either one prior to ATF registration, then having posession of the stock and pistol would be Constructive Intent, while installing it would, of course, be a clear illegal NFA. When I bought my V-53 pistol a year ago, I waited until I got my tax stamp back before I ordered a collapsable stock for it. The same principal should apply for AK pistols. Vector V-53 Pistol Vector V-51 Pistol I'm 99% sure that I'm correct on what I've said, but I still advise you to confirm it with NFA yourself. |
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What was said is correct, but here is a touchy issue. If you have another ak that is an under folder you can have an extra stock for that around i belive. That would be an extra part for the gun, or atleast thats how i belive it could be argued. Ive wondered about this several times as ive wanted to get an AR pistol, and i have found myself wondering if i could get in trouble for having a pistol upper for my pistol ar, but also have an ar15 rifle that the upper could fit on. Its a sticky situation to be sure, and to be safe i would either contact the NFA, or just build your pistol with a rifle reciever and the underfold trunnion. It will work just fine that way and if you then at some point want to SBR it, you can cut the reciever and mount the stock after getting your forms all filled out. Thats just my two cents and im no expert. Pat |
Strangely enough, it was a discussion I started in the HK forum about a V51 pistol that started this line of thought. IIRC, the V51 does require a specially modified stock, though. Crap, should I build my M92 as a pistol, or a rifle with a fake suppressor? I have the fake suppressor, but I could just sell it off, I guess. |
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