Pistol length AR plus suppressor? is it a rifle?

I have to say I am not very familiar with the legalities of the pistol/carbine kits but if a pistol type AR (let's say 11.5" barrel) has a 5" suppressor attached (overall barrel is now 16.5") could a buttstock be legally added?

First, a 5" suppressor on an 11.5" barrel will not get you 16". Thread overlap. If the suppressor is long enough to make overall length of the barrel 16" or greater and is permanently attached to the barrel, then you could use a stock on your lower without registering it as an SBR. But then you'll never be able to use that suppressor on any other weapons, maintenance on it is going to be more difficult, etc. You're already paying the $200 for the suppressor tax stamp, why not pony up another $200 and register your lower as an SBR? Unless of course you live in a state that doesn't allow SBRs but does allow suppressors.

I am not talking about permanently attaching a suppressor. That is why I am wondering how a temporary conversion would work out such as the temporary pistol/carbine does. The barrel length would be the mandatory 16".

If it's not permanently attached, then it doesn't count as part of the barrel's length. ATF measures barrel length with any muzzle device removed, unless that device is permanently attached. If you were to take an 11.5" barrel, thread a suppressor on, then attach that upper to a lower with a stock, you will be creating an unregistered SBR.

So swapping out a barrel then adding a stock is in compliance but adding a threaded on barrel extension does not?
Damn, there goes another clever idea.

Not quite sure what you're going after, but here is one solution for a suppressed non-SBR rifle where the can does not increase the length of the package.

It does, so long as it's permanently attached. Per ATF regs (i.e. hi-temp solder, weld, blind pin, etc.)

I'd avoid it, I know a guy who did not want to pay the extra $200 tax to SBR a 10-22 so he had a local built non servicable can welded to his barrel

This looks like it will work.
Thanks!

Just a thought Gary, but for what you end up paying for the extra work installing a sleeve on a short barrel, you might as well just pay the $200 to register a lower as an SBR. I forget if you live in Jefferson or STL County, but both are reportedly easy to get a CLEO signoff in. (I think the chief of police may have changed since I bought a machine gun in STL Co., but the new one reportedly signs as well).

I'm only considering the barrel sleeve, since I moved to a state where I can't bring my SBRs with me.

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