The Rifle to Pistol conversion issue . . .

[Ranger413]

I've very recently talked to three ATF agents who specialize in gun trafficing investigations.  All three said the following as far as the Contender and Encore is concerned.  If the gun is made to be converted (i.e. from rifle to pistol and vice versa) then as long as it is converted into a legal state then it is a legal firearm.  It doesn't matter in which configuration it was purchased.  Straight from the mouth of three of the boys working the front lines every day.  Obviously the only illegal state a Contender or Encore can be made into is a short barreled rifle (barrel shorter than 16" on a buttstock equipped frame).  Also to note, any shotgun barrel shorter than 18" is illegal, regardless of the grip/stock arrangement.

Hope this puts an end to this commonly asked question.  It did for me.

Ranger413

[Deaf Smith]

legal experts deside to agree with you or this post could go on for a whjole lotta pages of folks arguing the thing either way giving their "legal" opinions even they have not seen the inside of a law school (or court room). A Contender is what it is(rifle, pistol or shotgun) and not Illegal unless you make something illegal out of it (like a short barreled rifle or shotgun).
Thus let the argument end!
Jim L

[Ranger413]

Amen brother!!!

[77hiboy]

Hey guys I see this question a lot on this forum, check this out http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t29/index.html

[Geno]

Deaf Smith seems to have the best common sense and reasonable answer on this. And I think most people would easily let it go at this. It seems unreasonable that anyone in law enforcement or the ATF would come to you looking for problems unless you were blatantly in violation of the law (IE: rifle configuration with a <16" barrel). But, the above post completely contradicts Ranger's original post of 3 ATF agents. Like always, if they want to pinch you for something bad enough, you'll get busted. Doesnt appear anyone in Law Enforcement will ever agree on this hypothetical question. Let's just hope none of us ever have to defend ourselves over it.

[Ranger413]

Great, just when I think I've made a valiant effort to get this thing cleared up the water gets muddy again.  Well, I myself am not worried about this anymore.  I went to the trouble of buyin two frames - one bought in muzzleloader format and one bought as a frame only and "registered" as a pistol.  Not really registered but it was checked as a pistol when filling out the BATF yellow form.  The one frame wears a buttstock and the other a grip.  That way I know which one is which and they'll never change.  Keeping my butt outta trouble!

Ranger413

[duxman]

I purchased an encore frame from a local dealer and the great state -o- Michigan refused to register it because it had no barrel. Go figure. The MI State Police also confirmed that it could not be registered without a barrel. Never mind that the serial numbers are on the frame and I can purchase 100++ barrel variations and never have to re-register it. Gotta love it. Michigan buyers beware. I'm sure other state differ. Maybe?

[dakotashooter2]

In regards to the link 77hiboy posted. Apparenty "Mr. Nixon" has not read or is ignoring the Supreme Court decision on this matter (see  http//ww.stephenhalbrook.com/tc.html   ) The court says under federal law we can convert a frame registered as a rifle to a pistol (basically because it was designed for that purpose).  However that does not preclude individual municipalities or states from passing such legislation as I believe some have done.