Dumb AR question 5.56 to 300BO

[shotgun 01]

That's kind of what I thought, but I figured the experts here could confirm that. I guess it's time to build one of the lowers I have in the safe.

 

[summer44]

So if a buy just a bare lower and build it myself is it a pistol or rifle? Until an upper is added how is the designation made?

 

[summer44]

So if a buy just a bare lower and build it myself is it a pistol or rifle? Until an upper is added how is the designation made?

2nd how would anyone know just by looking, since we don't register firearms in ga. Would some not have to go back to the manufacturer? Asking bc if i buy a used at pistol, how do I know it wasn't illegally converted to a pistol or vice versa

 

[Plinker66]

Have you tried Google?

 

[summer44]

2nd how would anyone know just by looking, since we don't register firearms in ga. Would some not have to go back to the manufacturer? Asking bc if i buy a used at pistol, how do I know it wasn't illegally converted to a pistol or vice versa

Lastly how does tc het around this

 

[summer44]

Lastly how does tc het around this

Come on u guys are at leastas reliable as Google

 

[Crubear]

Technically, it's only if it's assembled as an SBR that gets you in trouble. I do make sure I have a pistol grip in my case when I have a pistol barrel.

TC gets around it by saying you can convert the pistol into a rifle/carbine and stopping there. Again, technically, once converted into a carbine or a rifle it needs to stay that way.

Now, who's gonna know if you switch? The only reason anyone's going to check the configuration of what appears to be a legal pistol is if you've done something so stupid they're looking to increase your stay at some federal institution.

 

[Gimli2]

2nd how would anyone know just by looking, since we don't register firearms in ga. Would some not have to go back to the manufacturer? Asking bc if i buy a used at pistol, how do I know it wasn't illegally converted to a pistol or vice versa

If the manufacturer reports the serial number as being built as a rifle, then it's a rifle. If it got transferred to you as a rifle on a 4473, then it's a rifle...

 

[summer44]

If the manufacturer reports the serial number as being built as a rifle, then it's a rifle. If it got transferred to you as a rifle on a 4473, then it's a rifle...

Thanks for the clarification

 

[Hussar]

I'm no expert but it's my understanding that if a lower receiver is built as a rifle first, it cannot ever be converted into a pistol later.

And that possession of an unmatched pistol upper in close proximity to a rifle lower (or a rifle buttstock) can create constructive possession of an illegal SBR.

For these reasons I have made it a point to own one functioning pistol lower (built on a store-bought lower receiver) for each barrel I own that is shorter than 16."

Again, I'm no expert, I hope an expert weighs in soon.

Yes, that is the case. A pistol receiver can go to rifle and pistol again back and forth but what starts as a rifle can't become a pistol. It is pretty hard to get constructive possession charge in its own right. If you have one or two pistol lowers it's okay to have the uppers. Gets more problematic if you just have the rifle lowers and short barreled uppers. However, IANAL.