AR Pistol Lower Laws

[scooter22]

I have searched for a definitive answer regarding the rules/regs/laws of building an AR pistol, but have come up dry.

If there is an existing thread that gives a definitive answer to my questions, please post the link and delete this thread.

I live in an SBR-friendly state, and I want to "build" my SBR upper into an AR pistol while I wait for paperwork to clear.

Can I build this pistol from a stripped lower?

Does the 4473 have to be filled out in a specific manner as to allow the stripped lower to be built into a pistol?

Is a stripped lower automatically considered "other" (vs. "rifle" or "handgun") on the 4473?

[Ryno12]

Did you look at the stickies in the NFA subforum? There's tons of info there.

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[scooter22]

I don't see any relevant threads. Not to mention that this is not an NFA related issue.

[Ryno12]

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood your question. You can build the pistol from a stripped lower & specify "pistol" on the form.
I have heard that it is not necessary to specifically specify it on the form as a pistol but more importantly to not make it easy to accept a stock for NFA reasons. I heard this at my local LGS so take it with a grain of salt.

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[scooter22]

Sorry, I guess I misunderstood your question. You can build the pistol from a stripped lower & specify "pistol" on the form.
I have heard that it is not necessary to specifically specify it on the form as a pistol but more importantly to not make it easy to accept a stock for NFA reasons. I heard this at my local LGS so take it with a grain of salt.

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That's the issue. It is my understanding that stripped lowers are specified as "other" on the 4473, i.e. there is no opportunity for my FFL to specify it as a "pistol" at this point.

So the question still remains whether I can build it into a pistol.

[Ryno12]

By that logic, the FFL can't specify it as a rifle either. If it is specified as "other", what difference does it make if it's a pistol or rifle? There is a space on the form I'm looking at where the FFL states if it is a "pistol, rifle, revolver, shotgun, etc".

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[Clint]

Stripped lowers are always "other" on form 4473.

A pistol lower can only be built from a stripped lower that has never had a stock attached.
i.e. You can't take the rifle stock off a built lower and call it a pistol.

Some states require you to register the pistol as well.

[DS-11B]

I have searched for a definitive answer regarding the rules/regs/laws of building an AR pistol, but have come up dry.

If there is an existing thread that gives a definitive answer to my questions, please post the link and delete this thread.

I live in an SBR-friendly state, and I want to "build" my SBR upper into an AR pistol while I wait for paperwork to clear.

Can I build this pistol from a stripped lower?

Does the 4473 have to be filled out in a specific manner as to allow the stripped lower to be built into a pistol?

Is a stripped lower automatically considered "other" (vs. "rifle" or "handgun") on the 4473?

Here is a sticky from AR15.com with letters people have received from the ATF about their AR pistol builds. Keep in mind this is in no way a legal defense if you were to get busted for some reason but it gives you an idea of what you can and can't do.

[b_saan]

Stripped lowers are always "other" on form 4473.

A pistol lower can only be built from a stripped lower that has never had a stock attached.
i.e. You can't take the rifle stock off a built lower and call it a pistol.

Some states require you to register the pistol as well.

That isn't technically accurate, if the lower has never had an upper attached (ie. a brand new complete lower) it is still considered "other" (receiver only) and has never been considered a rifle. You can still remove the stock prior to putting an upper on it and assemble it as a pistol.

[DS-11B]

That isn't technically accurate, if the lower has never had an upper attached (ie. a brand new complete lower) it is still considered "other" (receiver only) and has never been considered a rifle. You can still remove the stock prior to putting an upper on it and assemble it as a pistol.

I think in some states stripped lowers MUST be registered as a rifle unless it is marked/built as a pistol. Not sure that is true or not but it is what I have heard (maybe NY or CA or someplace like that).

I know that what you said is correct for OK though.