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Offline Two Bellies

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legality question
« on: June 05, 2005, 09:02:43 AM »
I bought a nice milsurp barreled reciever. The Idea was to make it into a bolt action pistol for silhouette. I was planning on rebarreling to a different cal. and make a center grip stock for it. Anyway I was just told that if it was originally serial numbered as a rifle, it can never be converted to a pistol, or vice versa. Anyone know if this is true?
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Offline clodbuster

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legal stuff
« Reply #1 on: June 05, 2005, 12:15:33 PM »
It's true that you cannot modify a rifle into a handgun.  It must have a barrel of 16+ inches and an overall length but I can't remember what that is, maybe 26".  It's like cutting off a shotgun--a no no.
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Offline Flash

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legality question
« Reply #2 on: June 05, 2005, 01:42:49 PM »
A felony for sure unless you have a manufacturers license.
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Offline Two Bellies

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legality question
« Reply #3 on: June 05, 2005, 01:57:06 PM »
Thanks guys I was afraid of that. Problem is, I've already fit a 14' barrel to the action, made a forward trigger mechanism, and am about halfway through the mid grip stock. It looks more like a savage striker than I'd intended but...???  Guess all was for naught huh?
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Offline John Traveler1

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project
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2005, 05:47:23 PM »
You can still salvage that project and make it legal.  Attach a muzzle brake or flashider to make the minimum 16" length, and extend the stock to make that 26" minimu overall length.

Silly rules, but that is what BATF specifies for "shoulder arms".
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Offline RonF

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legality question
« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2005, 01:34:46 AM »
Call me stupid, but I thought a person could pay a $200 fee and convert a rifle to a handgun and register it as such.  Do you have to have a manufacturer's license to do that?

RonF
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Offline gunnut69

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legality question
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2005, 06:57:34 AM »
There is no more manufacture of 'destructive devices' in the US.  Certain manufacture's stiff make and test these restricted weapons but not an individual.  You may make a rifle or shotgun(legal format only, not class III) for personal use only.  Rifles must have a 16 inch barrel and shotguns an 18. Don't remember the overall lengths.. CRS I suppose!  Also I don't believe a flash hider or brake on the front will make it legal..  Better to remove that barrel and buy an action that has never been a rifle... Then you avoid trouble with BATFE..
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Offline RugerNo3

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legality question
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2005, 12:19:05 PM »
Muzzle brakes have been permanently attached to Contender Barrels to make the 16" requirement for rifle barrels and satisfy the BATF.
The muzzle was externally threaded and a muzzle brake was screwed on. It was pinned in place to the barrel and the pins were then welded to the brake and ground to be flush with the brakes contour.
The key words are it must be impossible to be removed. Other methods of attachment may satisfy the same reqquirement.
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Offline muzzleblast525

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Gun
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2005, 12:38:27 PM »
Probably your best bet would be to call ATF and ask them...
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Offline Flint

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pistol
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2005, 02:29:09 PM »
It may be legal for your personal use only, but can never be resold. Check with the ATF.
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Offline Two Bellies

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legality question
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2005, 09:12:35 AM »
Hi guys, Finally got an answer from BATF. They said they could send me an NFA application, If it was approved, I could build the pistol, register it as a short barreled rifle under the NFA act, pay 200 dollars tax, and all would be well with the world. If not, and you're caught with it, big time no-no. Thanks for all the help. Two Bellies
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Offline gunnut69

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legality question
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2005, 04:17:25 AM »
I'd be interested in the outcome of your project..  I'd appreciate it if you would let us know the final outcome..  Thanks for an interesting thread.  The manufacture of class 3 weapons was halted and not more may be made for sale to individuals..  This was done some time ago so it seems the current administration may be a bit less restrictive..  Good luck,.,
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gunnut69--
The 2nd amendment to the constitution of the United States of America-
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

Offline knight0334

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legality question
« Reply #12 on: June 27, 2005, 03:37:43 AM »
You may shorten the barrel of a rifle or shotgun below their respected legal lengths AFTER you have applied for, paid for and have been approved for a Federal Tax Stamp from the ATF.   The cost is $200, no other licenses or permits are required by Federal law.  However, your state and local laws prevail, so you must be legal by those as well.

If you are legally allowed to purchase and own a handgun, you will pass the FBI/NICS background check that will be preformed on you.  Expect upto 6 months for an approval, sometimes more-sometimes less.

Believe it or not, these tax stamps are quite easy to get.
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Offline redial

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legality question
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2005, 02:28:51 AM »
You'll need a Form 1 (approved first!!) to make or modify a SBR. No problem, it's done every day. Takes a while though.

FWIW, you CAN go from pistol to rifle without paperwork but not the other way. Many benchrest rifles fer instance are built on Remington XP-100 receivers.

My two cents, worth every penny.

Redial
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Online Graybeard

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legality question
« Reply #14 on: July 21, 2005, 05:03:16 AM »
It will NOT be approved. Once they have your name and address they will come for both you and the gun. They will take both away. The gun will never come back. You won't for a long time either.
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

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Offline unspellable

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State & local laws
« Reply #15 on: July 21, 2005, 05:05:27 AM »
Don't forget to check your state and local laws.  Such a project is flatly illegal for a private individual under Iowa state law.  The federal permit would be denied here for lack of approval from the local authorities.
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Offline redial

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legality question
« Reply #16 on: July 26, 2005, 02:51:39 AM »
Why would you believe so, GB? If it violates no local law (no idea if it does or not in that particular state), and you can get the CLEO sign-off, it should go through in 3 - 5 months or so.

Are you seeing something I'm not?

Cheers!

Redial
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Offline unspellable

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priorities
« Reply #17 on: July 26, 2005, 05:05:57 AM »
You have to have the paperwork in order before starting work on the gun.  Doing it the other way around is a big no no.
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Offline Third_Rail

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legality question
« Reply #18 on: August 09, 2005, 10:57:47 AM »
Quote
There is no more manufacture of 'destructive devices' in the US


That's not correct, you can still make DDs and register them. However, MGs are a no-no.

In any case, this would be a SBR, not a DD.
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