Finger/hand stop on ar pistol forend

**triggerjerk** · 01-22-24, 17:21

I have mentioned my recent 7in pistol build in another thread. It has no brace. I have shot it SAS style (my interpretation from 1 youtube vid.....) pushing forward against the single point sling. It was fun and promises more fun.

Here's the catch:

I want to keep it easy, no brainer legal. It had a BCM KAG on the fore end as gifted. Legal for pistol or not, I do not like it. I removed it and installed a 1in long machine screw protruding down out of the mlok fore end. Secured with 4 nuts stacked along the length of the screw and covered them with a piece of rubber fuel line. I love it. Another shooter has suggested it illegal unless I do SBR paperwork. Anyone care to offer their educated opinion before I remove it? Not interested in a morality of gun law discussion (or about what a pussy I am for no brace on the build. I just want to know if a 1 inch long by 3/4 inch diameter protrusion from the fore end makes my gun an sbr or not. Thanks in advance...

**DoubleW** · 01-22-24, 17:48

Well, I guess it all boils down to whether or not it’s a handstop or a vertical grip. You view it as a handstop, someone else may not. The only absolute way around this is to purchase something specifically manufactured to not be a vertical grip. If you want something smaller and more minimal, Arisaka makes a splendid handstop that sounds a lot like what you have made. There’s no black and white definition of what’s a vert grip vs what’s a handstop. They’re manufactured one way or another. What you have done is leave yourself completely open to interpretation, which usually isn’t a good place to be.

https://arisakadefense.com/finger-stop-m-lok/

**SeriousStudent** · 01-22-24, 17:50

I would think if you take a look at a CZ Scorpion EVO and mimic that, you should be okay. That is a hand stop, and not a forward pistol grip.

Repeat after me: "Hand stop".

Have said that, for the love of Harambe, please do not send a letter to the BATFE asking for an opinion letter.

**SeriousStudent** · 01-22-24, 17:51

Originally Posted by DoubleW

Well, I guess it all boils down to whether or not it’s a handstop or a vertical grip. You view it as a handstop, someone else may not. The only absolute way around this is to purchase something specifically manufactured to not be a vertical grip. If you want something smaller and more minimal, Arisaka makes a splendid handstop that sounds a lot like what you have made. There’s no black and whit definition of what’s a vert grip vs what’s a handstop. They’re manufactured one way or another. What you have done is leave yourself completely open to interpretation, which usually isn’t a good place to be.

https://arisakadefense.com/finger-stop-m-lok/

You are literally living in my head rent free.

Arisaka makes great stuff, I have their gear on several firearms.

**CrowCommand** · 01-22-24, 18:15

Yes, I believe a VG on a rig less than 26” makes it an AOW, not an SBR.

Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?

**triggerjerk** · 01-22-24, 18:19

Looks like mine is .3 in shorter than the Arisaka, but .125 wider! Didn't figure there'd be an easy answer.....

**triggerjerk** · 01-23-24, 06:54

Oh, just out of curiosity, is there a brief description of legalities involved with owning an AOW?

**DoubleW** · 01-23-24, 09:18

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/what...er-weapon-mean

**DoubleW** · 01-23-24, 09:21

Originally Posted by triggerjerk

Oh, just out of curiosity, is there a brief description of legalities involved with owning an AOW?

Transferring an AOW on a F4 is $5 tax stamp. Manufacturing one on a F1 is a $200 tax stamp. I believe your above item is already disqualified by having a rifled barrel and being semiautomatic.