Do I notify ATF??? > M-16

Posted: 6/25/2007 9:00:28 AM EDT

I am reconfiguring my M16 from a 20" to 11.5 w/5.5" flash suppressor. My tax form lists it as a 20" barrel. Do I need to notify ATF of a change in configuration? If so, is there a form for this or free hand?

Thanks

Posted: 6/25/2007 9:07:48 AM EDT

[#1]

If you are just using an additional upper in the new length, you do not need to notify BATFE. However, if you are getting rid of the 20"-barrelled upper, it is a permanent change, and BATFE wants to be notified in that case.

There is no form -- just send them a letter, in duplicate, saying you are the registered owner of M16 SN 12345 and that the barrel length and O/A length have been permanently changed to XX and YY. Ask that they stamp one copy of the letter as received, and return it to you. That copy will serve to show you notified them of the change.

Posted: 6/25/2007 10:10:40 AM EDT

[#2]

Do I measure the OA length with the collapsible stock fully extended or retracted?

Posted: 6/25/2007 11:03:08 AM EDT

[#3]

Under federal law, it's measured with it fully extended. (Some state laws measure them while folded, but since this is a federal registration, do it the fed way.)

Posted: 6/25/2007 11:13:53 AM EDT

[#4]

And also begs the question , why go with a 5.5" flashhider on an 11" barrel ? It's just taking up extra space.

Posted: 6/25/2007 11:24:17 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
And also begs the question , why go with a 5.5" flashhider on an 11" barrel ? It's just taking up extra space.

XM177E1/E2 clone.
The retro bug has bit lots of people.

If he is doing that, I recommend grabbing one of Total Silence's reproduction moderators.
They can be had in NFA or non-NFA format.

Posted: 6/25/2007 11:29:03 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
If you are just using an additional upper in the new length, you do not need to notify BATFE. However, if you are getting rid of the 20"-barrelled upper, it is a permanent change, and BATFE wants to be notified in that case.

There is no form -- just send them a letter, in duplicate, saying you are the registered owner of M16 SN 12345 and that the barrel length and O/A length have been permanently changed to XX and YY. Ask that they stamp one copy of the letter as received, and return it to you. That copy will serve to show you notified them of the change.

Does that go for an SBR as well? As long as you keep the original, say 11.5" and have a 10.5" as well, it's not permanent?

Posted: 6/25/2007 11:30:37 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

Quoted:
And also begs the question , why go with a 5.5" flashhider on an 11" barrel ? It's just taking up extra space.

XM177E1/E2 clone.
The retro bug has bit lots of people.

If he is doing that, I recommend grabbing one of Total Silence's reproduction moderators.
They can be had in NFA or non-NFA format.

Exactly if its an MG no use worrying about havening a 16" barrel.

Posted: 6/25/2007 11:57:16 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you are just using an additional upper in the new length, you do not need to notify BATFE. However, if you are getting rid of the 20"-barrelled upper, it is a permanent change, and BATFE wants to be notified in that case.

There is no form -- just send them a letter, in duplicate, saying you are the registered owner of M16 SN 12345 and that the barrel length and O/A length have been permanently changed to XX and YY. Ask that they stamp one copy of the letter as received, and return it to you. That copy will serve to show you notified them of the change.

Does that go for an SBR as well? As long as you keep the original, say 11.5" and have a 10.5" as well, it's not permanent?

Under the current regs, IMHO, as long as you have the original upper, no permanent change has taken place.

Some owners (SBR and MG) send BATFE a letter anyway, as a CYA measure. They structure it as above (ID by SN) and say that the firearm will occasionally be also used with uppers in cals 1,2,3 and barrel lengths a,b,c but that those will only be temporary use, and the primary configuration will remain as listed on the Form 1/4.

There is a second school of opinion which believes that sending such letters is needlessly annoying BATFE staff and keeping them from their true work (i.e., approving our Forms) so YMMV.

Posted: 6/25/2007 12:10:30 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you are just using an additional upper in the new length, you do not need to notify BATFE. However, if you are getting rid of the 20"-barrelled upper, it is a permanent change, and BATFE wants to be notified in that case.

There is no form -- just send them a letter, in duplicate, saying you are the registered owner of M16 SN 12345 and that the barrel length and O/A length have been permanently changed to XX and YY. Ask that they stamp one copy of the letter as received, and return it to you. That copy will serve to show you notified them of the change.

Does that go for an SBR as well? As long as you keep the original, say 11.5" and have a 10.5" as well, it's not permanent?

Under the current regs, IMHO, as long as you have the original upper, no permanent change has taken place.

Some owners (SBR and MG) send BATFE a letter anyway, as a CYA measure. They structure it as above (ID by SN) and say that the firearm will occasionally be also used with uppers in cals 1,2,3 and barrel lengths a,b,c but that those will only be temporary use, and the primary configuration will remain as listed on the Form 1/4.

There is a second school of opinion which believes that sending such letters is needlessly annoying BATFE staff and keeping them from their true work (i.e., approving our Forms) so YMMV.

Thanks Tony!

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