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Posted: 9/27/2008 11:37:27 AM EDT
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One of my AR's is the Bushmaster Carbon 15 Type 97S Pistol. My question is if I change out the barrel to a 16 inch of course(NOTHING ILLEGAL) & add a buttstock will it still function? I assume it will but I know what assuming will do to one:) |
Your going to encounter a few problems. First since it's a pistol you can mount whatever length of barrel you want on it. But you mentioned a stock which as you said will require a min length of 16". Here's the legal problem with that. According to the letter of the law once you mount a butt stock on a pistol (other than the TC Contender) it becomes a rifle and can never again be classifed as a pistol. So technically by converting it back to pistol your commiting a big no-no. Who would know? That's the $64,000 question but that's the law. But then just by having a spare stock aroud your home you alreadying commiting a big no-no.  (A really silly law, but it is what it is.)One more thing, I'm sure you know this but if you do mount a stock on it, swap out the bolts for a standard bolt as you 97S' specialized bolt won't work in it anymore. |
| I don't ever plan on converting it back. I'm just going to turn it into a tricked out project to see what I can come up with. Just for fun. As for the law, I follow it. I never would do anything to have my privilages taken away, even if no one knew. I would never take a chance like that. Hell I will not even think it! |
The data here is incorrect. A pistol only has to be FIRST be built as a pistol. You can swap it back and forth between rifle and pistol so long as it is 4473'd as a pistol and FIRST built as a pistol. Do some research on here. This gentleman's advice about once you convert to a rifle is incorrect. -David Edgewood, NM |
This has to be the simplest I've ever seen this verbalized. This should be stickied at the top somehow. Thanks bro. |
Not trying to start a fight here. But this has been a hot topic issue. I too thought this was the case (switch back and forth between pistol and rifle as long as it began it's life as a pistol.) But after some reading people posted that the ATF clarified that this was ONLY the case for the Contender pistol and that once you convert an AR-type pistol to rifle then it has to remain a rifle for the rest of it's days. Again, how will they know? Chances are good they never will but it's still a risk. I actually after reading post after post reguarding this came to my own theory on why they say this. If you read the ATF responce to Big Bore's inquirey they say very clearly that if you have a spare stock in your posession along with a pistol that it is that same as having an unregistered SBR. So basically they're assuming you won't get rid of the stock once your done with it. Of course I realize the very BIG hole in my theory is "what do they think you'll do with your Short Upper?", but I tend to think the ATF really wasn't thinking when they wrote the regulations concerning this to begin with. Whatever you do after this os certainly your business and not mine...just be careful my friend. EDIT - Yes I realize that the FAQs have it down as you can go back and forth but what I've read makes me a little uneasy, if I come across the thread again I'll post a link here. |
| Oh well I don't have any patience so instead of building that one I just went & purchased the new MP15T, popped one of EO's on it & Hogue grip ..it's ready for range tomorrow. I use to be a Law Dog so I still get to use the local Sheriff's Dept.'s Range. What's so good about that is ..NO deputy is going to waste his weekend trying to be a better marksman...lol So I have the entire range to myself Saturday's & Sunday's:) I prefer it that way no waiting & having to worry about some shithead shooting me.. I can also do any kind of drills I want without me shooting some shithead. We've got a real good 300 yd. 3 story tower to practice from plus from there. Also there's a lot of those tiny little birds that sit on the power lines real good targets from 300 yds & I have not hit a power line,,,Yet! Oh well to the range!!! |
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