Author Topic: Pistol to Rifle (Read 822 times)

tzimm007 · « **on:** May 01, 2011, 10:32:02 AM »

I just read the letters on the contender page about converting a pistol to a rifle. Sounds to me like you can change a pistol to a rifle but you can not change a rifle to a pistol without getting the 200 dollar permit. Sound right?
Thanks TJ

cwlongshot · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2011, 10:41:37 AM »

Quote from: tzimm007 on May 01, 2011, 10:32:02 AM

I just read the letters on the contender page about converting a pistol to a rifle. Sounds to me like you can change a pistol to a rifle but you can not change a rifle to a pistol without getting the 200 dollar permit. Sound right?
Thanks TJ

Basically, because the law is based on making something more concealable. Making a pistol longer, heavier would not present a issue with concealability...

CW

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2011, 10:42:47 AM »

Gotta have minimum of 16" barrel and 29" (26"?) overall length to be legal. Even then, I wouldn't do it with anything other than a T/C, BATF is just to hard to figure out regs sometimes. Not worth the hassle. DP

tzimm007 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:24:15 AM »

Has anyone ever made a pistol out of a handi? Seems like if a Guy had a frame and barrel a couple hundred bucks to have a handi pistol would be pretty cool!

yooper77 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:44:13 AM »

Quote from: tzimm007 on May 01, 2011, 11:24:15 AM

Has anyone ever made a pistol out of a handi? Seems like if a Guy had a frame and barrel a couple hundred bucks to have a handi pistol would be pretty cool!

Handi rifle plus $200 (plus paper work) and then have to make a pistol grip.

Much easier and cheaper to buy a T/C Contender or Encore pistol.

yooper77

tzimm007 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:51:21 AM »

Does the pistol grip at midway not fit the handi's I think it's only 26 bucks. Ive got a topper frame I bet I could find a 30/30 barrel to cut down and pay the ATF for less than I can find a t/c. I haven't seen one for sell for less than 500 around here but I haven't looked that hard.

petemi · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2011, 12:03:05 PM »

Personally, I'd just go buy a Ruger Blackhawk and be done with it. That's what I did. 6.5 inch stainless .357. I traded junk in on it so it didn't cost me much. It's a nice partner for my Handi Maxi......and it shoots........better than I do.

Pete

gcrank1 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2011, 01:56:51 PM »

Yes, it can be legally done (and I dont recommend it), too much expense and work to have a very unbalanced and ungainly (some would say ugly) piece that may or may not be of much use (accuracy in question) and may attract undue attention to you and your hobby. I wouldnt want to carry the permit and have to answer questions when all I wanted to do was use the toy.

cjrjck · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2011, 01:59:19 PM »

Geesh,

If you can do it legally and it is something you want to do, go for it. I've seen guys spend hundreds on some strange caliber conversions and other modifications just because they wanted something special. More power to them., More power to you.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2011, 02:36:15 PM »

I have agree with gcrank, H&R Inc use to make one, it doesn't look like it would make a nice pistol to me, the frame is just too long.

Tim

cjrjck · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2011, 02:42:27 PM »

No doubt about it - down right ugly! But so are most of Picasso's paintings, at least to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2011, 05:14:19 PM »

And those were on the small frame H&Rs!
Every once in a while the small frame 410 long guns turn up, and what a sweet little 410 they are, and what a nice stub barrel platform for a pistol caliber or the 25-20, etc.
I believe Ed Harris had some entire replacement barrels made for his 'American Rook & Rabbit Rifle'.

tzimm007 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2011, 05:47:41 PM »

No doubt about it...that is not a good looking pistol. I would love to have a encore pistol heck I have shot and killed a couple hogs with a 460 smith and if money was no object that's what I would have. Unfortunately I don't have the budget for that hence trying to make what I have work not trying to ruffle any feathers.

Spanky · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2011, 05:51:50 PM »

Larry built a Handi pistol a while back but it didn't work out so good. $:-\$ He ended up cutting it up and selling the usable parts.

Spanky

yooper77 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2011, 06:03:19 PM »

Quote from: tzimm007 on May 01, 2011, 05:47:41 PM

No doubt about it...that is not a good looking pistol. I would love to have a encore pistol heck I have shot and killed a couple hogs with a 460 smith and if money was no object that's what I would have. Unfortunately I don't have the budget for that hence trying to make what I have work not trying to ruffle any feathers.

If you search sites like gunbroker.com you can snag older Contender or new G2 frames for great prices. If you buy a pistol with a barrel you dont need just trade for your 30-30 Winchester barrel you want. If you are patient there are steals out there waiting to be bought up.

No feathers ruffled here just trying to help.

yooper77

S.E.Ak · « **Reply #15 on:** May 03, 2011, 08:52:27 AM »

If you sold it the person buying would also have to pay the tax and have paperwork before they could get the gun

45-70.gov · « **Reply #16 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:45:11 AM »

i cut a o/u 12 gage to 9 inches

like it much better now with the stock BACK on

i did consider paying the $200 and register a frame
would cut a few barrels of different calibers.....and retain the shoulderstock
but 16 inch shorty is almost as good.....and i can cross state lines

if i registered a t/c.....it would be nice with the stock
can you say ''SBR''......I LIKE THEM

mechanic · « **Reply #17 on:** May 03, 2011, 12:18:42 PM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on May 03, 2011, 10:45:11 AM

i cut a o/u 12 gage to 9 inches

like it much better now with the stock BACK on

i did consider paying the $200 and register a frame
would cut a few barrels of different calibers.....and retain the shoulderstock
but 16 inch shorty is almost as good.....and i can cross state lines

if i registered a t/c.....it would be nice with the stock
can you say ''SBR''......I LIKE THEM

Fed. law on a shotgun is 18". Some states restrict it even further, if I understand correctly.

Ben

45-70.gov · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2011, 01:02:09 PM »

Short barreled rifle (SBR) is a legal designation in the United States, referring to a shoulder-fired, rifled firearm with a barrel length of less than 16 inches (40.6 cm) or overall length of less than 26 inches (66.0 cm). In the United States, an SBR is an item regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) as an NFA firearm. In the absence of local laws prohibiting ownership, American civilians may own an SBR provided it is registered with the BATFE, and a $200 tax is paid prior to taking possession of or creating the firearm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_barreled_rifle

mechanic · « **Reply #19 on:** May 03, 2011, 01:08:08 PM »

Not baiting you 45-70. I had a friend once who thought the rifle length was applicable to shotguns...he barely escaped major trouble. Just making sure.

Ben

45-70.gov · « **Reply #20 on:** May 03, 2011, 01:29:52 PM »

Quote from: mechanic on May 03, 2011, 01:08:08 PM

Not baiting you 45-70. I had a friend once who thought the rifle length was applicable to shotguns...he barely escaped major trouble. Just making sure.

Ben

yep 16 for rifle 18 for shot gun
over all 26 inches for either
no rifle conversions to pistol

unless you jump through the hoops and buy the stamp

then after all the trouble....
you can't cross state lines without written permission

i have a full auto pistol with a shoulder stock...and a muffler
$400 worth of permitts.....just to waste a lot of ammo
and i jumped through the hoops

i don't recomend it tho....but if thats what you want
JUST DO IT RIGHT AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE