AR Pistol Minimum Barrel Length

[JDMIS300]

Hi everyone, have tried to search but have found some conflicting information, or possibly I'm just not understanding. It seems as though there is a 6" minimum barrel length for AR pistols. My questions is, would a 5.5" barrel with a 2.5" flash suppressor satisfy this 6" barrel length minimum WITHOUT pinning? Some of the Calguns threads I have uncovered seem to be unclear if it is required or not. Obviously for rifles it is but for pistols I am unclear. Thanks for your time everyone.

[edgerly779]

NO 6"

[Oceanbob]

Assuming.....assuming the AR pistol is already owned and in the System, there is no minimum barrel length.

Reaching back in time, during SSE days, you needed about 6 inches to get legal.
(I think)

Keep in mind that a short barrel will have reliability issues concerning gas pressure.

Bob

[JDMIS300]

Thanks for the replies. So if I were to build an 80% Dimensionally complaint and single shot/break top AR pistol, it would have to have a 6" minimum barrel. However, after it is dimensionally compliant, I can have whatever length barrel I want?

My logic is coming from the original SSE1 which allowed for a barrel insert which was not permanent and after the barrel insert was removed, original barrel could be less than 6". Thanks everyone for the help.

[soulbyte]

There is no minimum barrel length on ar pistols. You can go two inch if you want.

[Untamed1972]

There is no minimum barrel length on ar pistols. You can go two inch if you want.

A snubnose AR LOL

[jeremyro]

Yeah, I would think that the legal implications are the least of your worries if you want this guy to cycle.

[soulbyte]

A snubnose AR LOL

I seen it on YouTube. The bullet tip is litterally sticking out the barrel end lol!

[JDMIS300]

I'm strictly worried about the legal implications. Cycling is not an issue as it will not be a 223. Thanks everyone.

[RickD427]

There is no minimum barrel length on ar pistols. You can go two inch if you want.

This is true for an AR pistol purchased from a dealer. Although I can foresee a lot of cycling problems with a 2" barrel.

However, a lot of folks build their own from 80% lowers. In that case, the weapon must be built as dimensionally-compliant, single-shot pistol. That requires the barrel to be a minimum of 6". Please refer to Penal Code section 32100(b).

[L4D]

So its first form should be built with a minimum 6" barrel as a single shot.
After the fact can it change calibers and also to a shorter barrel?

i.e. build single-shot .223 AR Pistol with 6" barrel then change to a 9mm 5" barrel?...

[Quiet]

There is no minimum barrel length on ar pistols. You can go two inch if you want.

Because of CA unsafe handgun laws...

In order to be legally made, imported for transfer, or transferred in CA; the AR style pistol will need to be listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale or be exempt from it.

The most common method of exemption is SSE2, which requires a minimum 6" barrel length and a minimum 10.5" overall length, in addition to being a bolt-action single-shot or a break-top single-shot. [PC 32100(b)]

There are currently two AR style pistols listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale. Both of which have 10.25" barrels.

[zapatito92]

I seen it on YouTube. The bullet tip is litterally sticking out the barrel end lol!

I saw that same video, that thing is crazy, although im sure the accuracy suffers