[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NJ muzzle devices

Posted: 4/16/2008 10:34:14 PM EDT

Is it legal to possess in NJ a threaded barrel greater than 16" with an ATFE declared muzzle brake screwed on or must it be pinned and welded in place? I know that for purposes of length a 14.5" barrel must have a pinned and welded device to meet legal length but does a threaded barrel >16" in length cease to be "threaded" when the brake is screwed on or only when pinned/welded, or never for the purposes of complying with the 1996 NJ AG letter?

Does NJ recognize ATFE determinations that a device is a brake or compensator and not a flash suppressor or hider?

There seems to be intentionally vague guidance on legal muzzle devices in NJ. I wonder if it's better to avoid the issue entirely with a crowned or bull barrel? There doesn't seem to be many 16" M4 profile barrels on the market without threads. Can anyone recommend any?

Posted: 4/17/2008 1:13:09 AM EDT

[#1]

Yes it's legal to have a brake on a threaded barrel in NJ. It's best to have any muzzle brakes or compensators pinned and welded on a threaded barrel of any length.

Posted: 4/17/2008 5:18:15 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Is it legal to possess in NJ a threaded barrel greater than 16" with an ATFE declared muzzle brake screwed on or must it be pinned and welded in place?

In NJ,
on a semi-auto rifle,
that accepts a detachable magazine,
and has a pistol grip,
threaded barrels are illegal.

Permanently attaching a muzzle brake makes the barrel "no longer threaded" in the eyes of the ATF.

does a threaded barrel >16" in length cease to be "threaded" when the brake is screwed on or only when pinned/welded, or never for the purposes of complying with the 1996 NJ AG letter?

I see no guidance for this in NJ law or from the NJ AG, so I looked towards the ATF: they say if it is permanently attached (as per their definition of "permanent") you are good-to-go.

Does NJ recognize ATFE determinations that a device is a brake or compensator and not a flash suppressor or hider?

Again, as there is no legal definition of a "flash hider" I look towards the ATF. Yes, I have a FSC556 pinned on a 14.5" barrel :-)

There seems to be intentionally vague guidance on legal muzzle devices in NJ. I wonder if it's better to avoid the issue entirely with a crowned or bull barrel? There doesn't seem to be many 16" M4 profile barrels on the market without threads. Can anyone recommend any?

Well, the best thing about vague laws is that we can throw as many people in jail as we like! I'm pretty certain that Bushmaster makes a ban-compliant 16" M4, and I was leaning towards that route until I read about the FSC556. Don't know that 5.56 really needs a compensator, but I liked the other features of the FSC556 so I went that route.

Bushmaster had no qualms mailing me a 14.5" barrel; I ground off the bayo lug myself and then sent it and my FSC556 to ADCO for mounting.

-WhyTanFox

Edited to clarify threaded barrel / pinned muzzle device issue.

Posted: 4/17/2008 12:46:12 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Is it legal to possess in NJ a threaded barrel greater than 16" with an ATFE declared muzzle brake screwed on or must it be pinned and welded in place?

In NJ,
on a semi-auto rifle,
with a pistol grip,
the brake must be "permanently attached".

-WhyTanFox

Where does it say that it must be "permanently attached" ?

Mike

Posted: 4/17/2008 1:01:02 PM EDT

[#4]

threaded barrells are illegal so if its not perm attached, its a threaded barrell.

Posted: 4/17/2008 1:17:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
threaded barrells are illegal so if its not perm attached, its a threaded barrell.

;-)

-WTF

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NJ muzzle devices

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NJ muzzle devices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - NJ muzzle devices