I remember reading that stuff too. It would require H & R to come up with a whole different receiver. Something about it being illegal to convert from rifle to pistol....I guess you can go from pistol to rifle, but not the other way around.
H&R
would not be required to come up with a new receiver to sell pistols, as they could use the standard SB2 frame. I'm not sure where this internet myth began, but you do not have to design a completely different frame in order to make a pistol version of the Handi Riflle (or a pistol version of any frame for that matter). All it takes is the decision for H&R to enter the pistol market, which is unlikely at this current time.
You see, the key is simply this: In order for a frame to be made in to a pistol, it has to leave the factory in one of two ways. One, it has to leave as a complete pistol, basically completely assembled as such at the factory. Or two, it has to leave as a virgin receiver (stripped or complete receiver with no grip/stock or barrel). By virgin, I mean the receiver isn't assembled in to either form of rifle or pistol. However, when the receiver is purchased by a private consumer from an FFL holder, it must be labeled as either "PISTOL" or "OTHER" on the Form 4473. It cannot be registered on the 4473 as a rifle and legally be made in to a pistol at any time. It must be filled out as "OTHER" or "PISTOL" to be made in to pistol configuration. So, buy a virgin receiver, mark it as "PISTOL" on the 4473, and you can
legally make a Handi pistol.
But, even getting a virgin receiver would mean H&R would have to sell receivers separately, which is also highly unlikely at this time. However, I do think there would be a strong market for a Handi pistol, especailly if H&R expanded the caliber listings.
hey handirifle did you try that pistol grip on a handi to see if it fit??? and does anybody know if $200 is right for how much it cost to get it ok with the BATFE???
Mitchell, I think you are confusing the short barrel rifle tax stamp here. You can register a Handi as a NFA short barreled rifle, pay the $200 tax stamp, be approved, and subsequently mount any length barrel you want on the receiver. It doesn't matter how many barrels you want to use on it, as the tax is only applied to the receiver. Basically, you can have one registered SBR receiver and have as many rifled short barrels as you want. But, once its a rifle, its always a rifle. It can't be legally converted to pistol form, regardless of the $200 stamp.
