Just did mine as temp pending my SBR paperwork / stamp!
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Just did mine as temp pending my SBR paperwork / stamp!
Ok, first off I don't want to jack the thread, I just have a related question. I have read some of you state that an AR pistol is a good alternative to an SBR or a good way to own a short barrel weapon while waiting on the paperwork for an SBR. Now I am thinking of getting / building a pistol. What are the requirements to be classified an AR pistol? If I got a Bravo company 11.5" upper and got a lower do I just have to get a pistol buffer tube and I'm good?
I am building one up because I can! :D
It does seem to be the ultimate truck gun, since it is a pistol you can have one in the pipe and 30 on stand-by. A car-jackers worst nightmare IMHO
I have enough AR carbines (for now).I too was thinking of going the pistol route for several years now.W/out getting parts from several different companies and building one.Who would be recommened as the best quality,most reliable complete pistol? Best barrel lenght etc.
It would be a CQB/PDW/truck gun basically to bridge the gap between the handgun and full size carbine.There are times when it would be nice to have the rifle caliber/high cap,but lower profile of the AR-15 pistol.
As long as you are building it on a "virgin" lower that has never been assembled as a rifle, and that was either transferred to you as an "Other Firearm" or a "Handgun" on the form 4473, then you should be good to go to build a pistol. If it was transferred as a "Long Gun" on the 4473, then don't even think about it unless federal prison sounds attractive to you. Laws are funny like that, ain't they?
At a later date, you can pay your $200 and after receiving back approval from the ATF to build an SBR, you can then engrave your lower and change out your pistol receiver extension for a rifle or carbine extension. The lower is then legally at that point defined as an SBR. It can never go back to being a pistol again. Even if you put a 20" rifle upper on it at a later date, it is still legally an SBR and subject to all relevent laws.
Hope that helps.
Hey question for you guys that are running AR Pistols. I am trying to figure out which way to go for the buffer tube.
I have seen three options out there...
First are very short pistol buffers that require a modified bolt carrier (this is a no go for me, want it to work with a standard BCG)
Second are the medium length tubes that are shorter than a Car tube, but work with the standard BCG.
Finally the full length Car tubes designed for pistol use. (round with foam wrap)
I am going to be running a LMT 10.5 inch upper on my pistol, and I want it to run 100%. Should I go with the full length pistol buffer, or can I get good reliability out of the medium length one.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Ken
If you are basically building a pistol AR to avoid the legal hassle, cost, and paperwork of an SBR, but otherwise want something similar to what an SBR would give you, OR if this is simply just a step for you in the process of building a legal SBR, then I would go with the "full length" receiver extension. The fact that you are using a 10.5" LMT upper rather than one of the really short uppers would suggest to me that one or both of the above is the case. I'm guessing you want something with some degree of usable practicality and that is "SBR-ish".
The longer extension uses the same buffer and spring as a standard carbine receiver extension and will be heavier, balancing out the rear of the gun better (or at least that's the case with the RRA pistol extension). It seems like to me that the shorter extensions would cause reliability issues, but I have no experience with them myself. If it's just going to be a range toy that you're trying to make as small as possible and could care less about reliability, then do whatever you want.
I'm still working on my pistol build, I still need an upper, barrel, and BCG. I'm building it as an interim to an SBR. I also wanted an AR platform that would fit in my backpack. There is also the fact that in my state you can not have a chambered round in a rifle while driving in a car, but you can have a ready to go pistol chambered while driving. Sure they may not be practical, but that's why I won't just buy one outright. That would seem like a waste. Building one slowly, as funds allow, makes it kind of like a gun that "Just showed up". No dropping a grand in one fell swoop. I used the ACE receiver extension, it's full length.
I have seen through the years as our understanding of technology and materials continue to improve the AR Pistol has become a viable option.
With some current state's Draconian laws in effect that basically amount to putting your hair on fire and putting it our with a Hammer, they are VIABLE to 300yds. or so when done right with devastating effectiveness.
imo, it's tough to beat for MOUNT / Urban AO applications.
When it's done right w/ GOOD components / KIT etc. they are as efficacious as any SBR.
I would not count them out by today's standards as impractical at all.
In the hands of someone skilled or "switched on" they are scary.
I know of at least one MAJOR FED agency looking very seriously into these at this time.
The paradigm is changing for a reason gents. ;)