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Posted: 3/30/2011 6:59:27 AM EDT
| I bought a stripped lower a few months ago to build into a rifle, well I have changed my mind and want to go the pistol route. Can I simply register the lower as a pistol, or do I need to buy a lower specifically for a pistol? |
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You can use the receiver you have. There is some confusion about whether it can and can't be used but the ATF said in a letter that I will post a link to that any virgin receiver can be used to build a pistol. From here - the quote is this page but I didn't search which page has the original.
October 1, 1992 Firearms Technical Branch Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms 650 Mass. Ave., NW Washington, DC 20226 Dear Sirs: The Greensboro, NC BATF Compliance Office suggested that I write to you for information on the following point. I am interested on whether it is possible to have a commercially manufactured rifle receiver changed to be legally considered to be a handgun receiver, and how this can be done. The Compliance Office said that this might be possible via a "Letter of Determination", but advised me to write to you about the criteria and procedures. For example, if a person has a rifle receiver and wishes to have it built into a rifle-caliber handgun suitable for steel silhouette target shooting, comparable to the bolt action Remington XP-100 handgun. I understand that the serial number of this receiver is recorded as being for a rifle. Could this person have this receiver's serial number considered to be a handgun receiver? If so, what procedures and paperwork would be necessary. Sincerely, –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Oct 29 1992 Dear Mr. XXXXX: This refers to your letter of October 1, 1992, in which you inquire about the legality of manufacturing a handgun which utilizes a rifle type receiver. 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53 # 5845(a)(4), the National Firearms Act (NFA), defines the term "firearm" to include a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length. Utilizing the receiver of an existing rifle for the purposes of manufacturing a handgun would constitute the making of a firearm as defined above. Individuals desiring to make such a firearm must first submit an ATF Form 1, Application To Make And Register a Firearm and pay the applicable $200 making tax. If an individual were to obtain a rifle type receiver that had not previously been utilized in the assembly of a rifle, a handgun could be made and not be subject to the provisions of the NFA. Verification must be obtained from the manufacturer of the receiver to establish its authenticity. We trust the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry. If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us. Sincerely your, (signed) Edward M. Owen, Jr. Chief, Firearms Technology Branch |
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Quoted:
Can I simply register the lower as a pistol, or do I need to buy a lower specifically for a pistol? there is no registation process, except maybe in a few states. if you want to have proof that the receiver you have was never assembled as a rifle, so you can make a pistol out of it, then write the manufaturer give them the serial number and ask them if they can send a letter to annotate the status of the receiver that left their factory was a stripped receiver, and was never assembled as a rifle, so you can make it into a AR pistol. it's a bit overkill, but if that is what it will take to make you have a "warm and fuzy feeling", then by all means do that. |
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This thread has a 2009 dated letter linked in it. |
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