I'm going NFA =)

HCPrepper · #1 02-05-08, 15:40

Hey Guys,

Well, I am taking the big plunge, just started paperwork to go NFA, I have my Colt 6920 with 16" barrel and decided I am going to have it shortened to 14.5 overall.

Sending in the paperwork to the feds through a local Class III dealer, and will see how things go. I will post the end results hopefully when they come along.

Luckly, I live in a pro machinegun state, and my county sheriff is a big time supporter of Class III.

Once it's all done I will post before and after pics of the rifle.

markm · #2 02-05-08, 16:01

Have you considered registering the weapon for even shorter just in case?

If you're going to the trouble you could register it for 10.5 or 11.5 inches and get an extra Short barreled upper to go with the 14.5.

wahoo95 · #3 02-05-08, 16:10

I agree with Demigod on how to register......$200 is a lot to spend on 1.5"

HCPrepper · #4 02-05-08, 16:17

If I register shorter, say a 10.5" barrel, would I still be allowed to use a 14.5". I would have thought I was only allowed to have what I got the stamp for? Forgive me I am new and learning to the NFA stuff..

ZGXtreme · #5 02-05-08, 16:23

You can register it say at 10.5" and use a 14.5" on it but the 10.5" upper has to be on the weapon the majority of the time. If you just want the 14.5" barrel I'd recommend just going with a 14.5" barrel and pinned flash hider so you can save the $200.00 tax. Plus, easier to travel to schools and courses with a non-NFA rifle as some states SBRs are forbidden. The 1.5" difference just isn't really worth $200.00 IMHO.

markm · #6 02-05-08, 16:26

You'll be fine. I have a Short Shotty that's registered for 12", but I found the 14" 870 barrel to be less useless, so I run it.

I just did 2 SBRs and I went 11.5.... I know I'll never go shorter than that. But if I fall in love with some 12.5 or 13 inch upper, I'll just swap out.

HCPrepper · #7 02-05-08, 16:29

My whole reason for the shortening of the barrel, is that I just want a 14.5 overall. I hate the look of the 16" barrel on rifles. Seems like a big jump for something so trivial, but we each have our own things we like as fas as "taste" goes.

And paying $200 for "the look" I want is not that bad. I may go the 10.5 route, and buy an 14.5 upper. Also I hate the idea of having anything pinned where I no longer have the option to change flash hiders or add items.

I am also considering buying a suppressor at a later date, and that would not work with the pinned hider.

ZGXtreme · #8 02-05-08, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConwayPDOfficer

I am also considering buying a suppressor at a later date, and that would not work with the pinned hider.

You can use a suppressor on a pinned/welded flash hider. I will eventually use a Surefire can on the Noveske N4 I order with the pinned Surefire FH.

HCPrepper · #9 02-05-08, 16:43

I stand corrected, I see that one manufacturer does use a phantom flash hider as the mount point for thier suppressor.

Never the less, the overall look is 14.5 exact as the military M-4, and being able to take off the bird cage and add other items is the bonus.

Another way to look at "why pay extra money for a small change" is the concept of would you spend say $200 more for certain color of a car because you liked that color better ? people do that ever day.

And with this being my first NFA jump, it would pad the future for me to save up and take the huge plunge to an M-16 or M-4 in full auto.

Kalash · #10 02-05-08, 17:11

You can list 7.5",10.5",11.5 and 14.5" or 7.5"-14.5" and not worry about which length upper is mounted.You can always go longer than registered but not shorter.

wahoo95 · #11 02-05-08, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalash

You can list 7.5",10.5",11.5 and 14.5" or 7.5"-14.5" and not worry about which length upper is mounted.You can always go longer than registered but not shorter.

Are you sure about that? If so, can anyone else chime in as to whether this is still the case? I always thought the Form 1 asked for overall length rather than barrel length?

Kalash · #12 02-05-08, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahoo95

Are you sure about that? If so, can anyone else chime in as to whether this is still the case?

I myself haven't done that but I personally know others that have and their Form 1's were approved just as stated above.

wahoo95 · #13 02-05-08, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalash

I myself haven't done that but I personally know others that have and their Form 1's were approved just as stated above.

How long ago do they get those approvals? Just asking becasue I know a lot of things have been changing lately with the approval process. I have seen a few guys get rejected for entering "Multi" under the caliber section....which used to be okay.

Misc Ex-Member · #14 02-05-08, 17:36

bad info deleted

scottryan · #15 02-05-08, 19:20

You should replace your barrel with a factory 14.5" instead of it having it cut down.

markm · #16 02-05-08, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottryan

You should replace your barrel with a factory 14.5" instead of it having it cut down.

I've never been willing to have even the best barrel dudes cut on a Colt barrel. I just can't bring myself to do it. Even if it meant paying out the butt to get a factory barrel of the length I want.

Hootiewho · #17 02-05-08, 21:48

Better yet, call Clyde Armory and order a 6933 or 6921 for about the same as you will pay for a 6920 and not have to fool with engraving the lower or cutting the barrel down. You will come out cheaper that way, and have a colt lower that says M4.

RD62 · #18 02-05-08, 21:56

A 10.5 with suppressor would put you right about 16" overall barrel length if and when you decide to go that route. Should be easier to handle that way. Also the Form 1 I just completed which I got in the mail from the ATF the other day asked for both barrel length and overall length.

-RD62

Safetyhit · #19 02-05-08, 22:26

Holy Crap

What a bunch of red tape for such trivial differences.

HCPrepper · #20 02-06-08, 06:37

Really great info you guys pass along, thats why I love reading the forums here, I am gonna ask the Class III dealer I am using, see what he says, Ideally the best way would be to either state "Barrel less than 16"" or List them out as 7.5 10.5 11.5 14.5.

Rest assured I have decided against cutting my barrel down, I just cant bring myself to cutting a beautiful brand new barrel down. Heck I haven't even fired it yet.

With that being said, anyone have a new or good used Colt 14.5 upper they wanna trade. Or I might just hold on to it.