Author Topic: Rifle to Pistol Conversion - Legality? (Read 650 times)

Pruts · « **on:** February 09, 2004, 06:27:54 AM »

Fellas,

I am considering the possiblilty of getting the necessary hardware to convert my Encore from a rifle to a pistol. I live in NY, and we have to register each handgun and have it put on our permit. My thinking is that if I register my Encore as a handgun, with the serial number from the receiver on my permit, that I should be o.k. But NY is so quirky about the pistols, I just want to make sure I'm working within the confines of the law. Any of you fellas out there have any experience or knowledge about the legality of doing that? Thanks!

Pruts

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2004, 10:10:32 AM »

I think you may have a problem with Federal law if you do that. My understanding is that you can legally convert a pistol to a rifle, but not vice versa.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2004, 12:05:17 PM »

This is an ongoing debate here in the Encore/contender world. If we go according to the T/C corperate tag "it is legal to convert either to any form as long as all rules are followed" (i.e. if it has a pistol barrel it MUST have a pistol grip and not a buttstock.) I got it in writing from T/C. Since its not really so clear I at least have an "excuse" should any questions be asked.
Brian M.

str8shooter48 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2004, 02:02:02 PM »

Pruts , I talked to the lady at the pistol permit office in Erie County. I explained to her that I bought my Encore as a muzzleoading rifle and asked if it was legal to register the frame as a handgun too. She said it was legal. You must register the frame and have a barrel in the caliber of choice at the time of registation. I thing they would like the sales reciept of the frame, and barrel just for proof of origin. Give your county pistol permit office a call to make sure.

Good Luck

Pruts · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2004, 03:16:24 AM »

Excellent! Thanks for the research, I will certainly give my county offices a call.

Pruts

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2004, 06:22:58 AM »

As I understand it here is no question in regards to legality under FEDERAL regulations. Under FEDERAL regulations it makes no difference if the frame was registered as a pistol or rifle (according to the Supreme Court). State and/or local regulation is where this comes to play. A few states dictate that a frame registered as a rifle may not be converted to a pistol configuration. The best advise is to check your state/local regulations.

Tc300mag1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2004, 02:23:27 PM »

Look here they have the Atf's take on it http://www.handgunhunt.com/tech/t29/index.html

Pruts · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2004, 03:44:11 AM »

If I'm reading that correct, I would need to pay $200 to legally convert the gun, plus a $200 mystery tax for something or other. Then it would be legal, I guess? Seems like an awful lot of hassle to me, I might better buy an Encore as a pistol and skip all the red tape B.S. Thanks for the info!

Pruts

New Hampshire · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2004, 11:37:01 AM »

What the I think the $200 dollars is for is if you intend to "make" a gun that is not NFA compliant. I.E. If you wanted to chop a rifle or shotgun down past the magic no no mark. Then the extra $200 is to register said gun with the Government. But I think it all gets muddled in backtalk, since no one here would be dumb enough to put a pistol barrel on without taking the buttstock off. It seems to me this really could be dealt with EASILY by T/C if they would just have all their frames labled as pistol frames. I still think its a lot of bull peddled by the ATF to get you to pay lotsa dough. At least in my state, no one would really know either way without extensive checking. And at that point I would have had to have done something very wrong........and I dont plan on doing anything stupid. Oh well, I guess we will never get a clear, plain english, answer :roll: .
Brian M