ATF is going to have an amnesty for braced pistols

[Korgs130]

Our tape measure shows an 11.5" barrel with standard CAR tube just under 26 inches (25 7/8")

With an A5 RE, the OAL is 26 5/8+.

If would appear a 10.5" barrel would be the max with an A5 equipped lower.

I agree with this. Just about all of my lowers are build with A5 RE. When I made my measurement I thought I grabbed a standard carbine lower but I doubled checked and it was in fact an A5 lower. Apologies.

[mack7.62]

I thought the A5 made the length of pull too long, does this no longer apply?

So, while a rifle’s length of pull is normally used to determine how well it will fit an individual shooter, an AR-15 pistol’s length of pull is important because the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (aka ATF) has advised shooters that an AR-15 pistol with a length of pull greater than 13.5 inches may constitute a redesign of the brace into a stock.

[Korgs130]

I thought the A5 made the length of pull too long, does this no longer apply?

So, while a rifle’s length of pull is normally used to determine how well it will fit an individual shooter, an AR-15 pistol’s length of pull is important because the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (aka ATF) has advised shooters that an AR-15 pistol with a length of pull greater than 13.5 inches may constitute a redesign of the brace into a stock.

It does. In Section III of the 4999. LOP with the brace in the most rearward locked position greater than 13.5” is 4 points. 4 points equals an SBR. SB Tactical does sell plugs to fill the rear most notches on buffer tubes to prevent them from locking at longer than 13.5”.

https://www.atf.gov/file/154866/download

[okie]

Okie & Dead Hand,

Yup, that is what I’m trying to say. If want you think is a braced pistol doesn’t meet 1 & 2 in Section I, it is and always has been an SBR. The amnesty is that you don’t catch charges for possession of that SBR.

I may very well be wrong, but to assume that the best intentions of the ATF would favor us would be a mistake. Previous language, findings and interpretations no longer apply. Just look at what they’ve done with solvent traps and forced reset triggers like the Rare Breed. The entire thing is arbitrary.

DH, you are correct. The average law abiding gun owner who isn’t tuned into what’s going on has a good chance of running afoul of the new rule. My overall point is that this whole situation isn’t anything as simple as a free SBR stamp.

Okay now that I could see them trying to pull. Essentially saying that you're not going to get a free stamp for something they never approved. So in other words there will be no more braced pistols after this period, even the ones they already approved explicitly. They'll just get a free stamp for the misunderstanding I guess...

In the end, I don't think that's going to fly, though, where they can approve some configurations and not others, because according to the definitions laid down by congress they're all the same thing. There's no room in the law to say oh this is a pistol but that's a rifle because it has a magnified optic on it.

The moral of the story though is that we'll just have to configure them however the ATF likes them for the photo shoot, then once you get the free stamp do whatever you want.

[Press Check]

So, if I have a pistol that is over 26 inches, and has an SBA3, where do I stand in all of this? I keep reading and hearing all sorts of conflicting information.

[yoni]

So, if I have a pistol that is over 26 inches, and has an SBA3, where do I stand in all of this? I keep reading and hearing all sorts of conflicting information.

Nobody can answer you at this point in time. Because I am sure 100% the ATF itself doesn't know, but the day after the election they will let us know.

[Press Check]

Nobody can answer you at this point in time. Because I am sure 100% the ATF itself doesn't know, but the day after the election they will let us know.

Your response in and of itself is an answer, and you have my thanks for that. I have read that anything over 26 inches will be classified as an SBR, which is nothing more than speculation I suppose.

Thanks again.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

I would think that there are letters from the ATF that allowed 11.5 inch pistol uppers? Otherwise they could just round those people up now?

[wildcard600]

I would think that there are letters from the ATF that allowed 11.5 inch pistol uppers? Otherwise they could just round those people up now?

BBL length has nothing to do with it. If the speculation is correct the atf will consider anything over 26" OAL not eligible to use a brace, otherwise it will be considered an SBR. Either remove the brace, or figure out some way to get it under 26" OAL (11.5 with a standard receiver extension is under 26" as was mentioned by Clint). The atf also reserves the right to call anything an SBR if they feel like it (as mentioned in the publication) so the "points" don't mean anything even if you are within the 12-26" OAL and heavier than 64oz "rules", however.

The law hasn't changed, short barrel firearms without stocks are still legal. The atf's "interpretation" of braces is changing (potentially), and depending on what a brace is installed on will determine if the brace is a brace or if the brace is actually a "stock" in their eyes.

[Diamondback]

Our tape measure shows an 11.5" barrel with standard CAR tube just under 26 inches (25 7/8")

With an A5 RE, the OAL is 26 5/8+.

If would appear a 10.5" barrel would be the max with an A5 equipped lower.

Clint, I think my unfinished mockup 10.3 with LAW and A5 clocked in at 25.925 on the nose no brace or muzzle device. I'll have to double check that sometime after I get some more bills and accounts for my aunt's estate knocked down.