Rifle to pistol conversion question

[nightwolf0215]

I just got hit by a GSG 522 pistol bug and store at my place is selling one. just DROSed another pistol on the 1st so I gotta wait a hell long time if i want the gun from the store.

couple of calgunners has the rifle version for sale. so my question is..

Could i buy them as rifle then convert to pistol?

[Quiet]

couple of calgunners has the rifle version for sale. so my question is..

Could i buy them as rifle then convert to pistol?

Legally, converting a rifle into a pistol would make the resulting firearm a Short Barrel Rifle (SBR). [PC 17170(c)]

Which would be both a Federal and state felony, unless you first get BATFE and CA DOJ BOF approval to make a SBR.

You have a better chance of winning the mega lotto back to back, then to get CA DOJ BOF approval for a SBR.


Penal Code 17170
As used in Sections 16530 and 16640, Sections 17720 to 17730, inclusive, Section 17740, Article 1 (commencing with Section 27500) of Chapter 4 of Division 6 of Title 4, and Article 1 (commencing with Section 33210) of Chapter 8 of Division 10 of Title 4, "short-barreled rifle" means any of the following:
(a) A rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length.
(b) A rifle with an overall length of less than 26 inches.
(c) Any weapon made from a rifle (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length.
(d) Any device that may be readily restored to fire a fixed cartridge which, when so restored, is a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive.
(e) Any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended to convert a device into a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, or any combination of parts from which a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, may be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person.

[nn3453]

What he said.

Calguns: Keeping you out of jail. One gunowner at a time

[nightwolf0215]

waiting 30 days on the pistol haha

[JeremyS]

Isn't there a legal process to convert and properly register a rifle into a pistol? Or can you only convert a pistol into a rifle? I know you can do one of those things legally!....

[Chaos47]

Ask the shop to put it on lay away. Problem solved.

[Bug Splat]

Isn't there a legal process to convert and properly register a rifle into a pistol? Or can you only convert a pistol into a rifle? I know you can do one of those things legally!....

My understanding is you can convert a pistol to a rifle but it can never be converted back to a pistol. Once in rifle form you must follow all rifle rules which means no evil features just like an AR or AK.

[JeremyS]

Crap. So if I want to turn my old Mosin Nagant into a pistol I would have to actually pay a firearms manufacturer to do it? ...it would be a summer project so I have not looked into the legality of it at all, but I wanted to just cut the barrel short, cut the stock into a one-hand grip, and maybe put some ridiculous muzzle brake on it and register it as a pistol. Hrrrmmmmm

[lilro]

Crap. So if I want to turn my old Mosin Nagant into a pistol I would have to actually pay a firearms manufacturer to do it? ...it would be a summer project so I have not looked into the legality of it at all, but I wanted to just cut the barrel short, cut the stock into a one-hand grip, and maybe put some ridiculous muzzle brake on it and register it as a pistol. Hrrrmmmmm

The magwell isn't in the pistol grip, so I think you'd need a BB as well. Do they make those for Nagants?

[hypnoman]

The magwell isn't in the pistol grip, so I think you'd need a BB as well. Do they make those for Nagants?

Nagant is the name of a revolver. Mosin Nagant is the correct name if you are referencing the rifle.

bullet buttons are for semi-autos with otherwise detachable mag not in a pistol grip.

The building of a pistol legally in CA requires it built as a single shot first, to be exempt from roster requirements.

[JeremyS]

...this would actually be in WA, but I kind of figured turning a rifle into a pistol would be a federal law thing aside from registering it in your state...


P.S. sorry for thread jack!!!

[hypnoman]

Actually regarding the feds . . . a rifle cannot legally be turned into a pistol. Only can convert to SBR after applying for and paying $200 stamp when approved.

A pistol can only be made from a pistol receiver or frame. If various correctly torch cut (demilled) pieces (destroyed = no longer a firearm) were to be re-welded into a new pistol receiver . . . now you're on your way to building a pistol. Yet, you'd have to verify what WA requires of you.

[hypnoman]

In CA, you would build a pistol as a single shot and then convert to accept multi round up to 10.

[Quiet]

Isn't there a legal process to convert and properly register a rifle into a pistol? Or can you only convert a pistol into a rifle? I know you can do one of those things legally!....

Per Federal laws, making a rifle into a pistol would be a SBR. (Federal felony)
Making a SBR is not legal, unless you have approval from BATFE.

Quick summary of what's allowed under Federal laws:
Pistol -> Rifle -> Pistol = legal
Rifle -> Pistol = illegal because it would be a SBR

Per CA laws, making a rifle into a pistol would be a SBR. (state felony)
Making a SBR is not legal, unless you have a valid CA DOJ BOF Dangerous Weapons Permit and approval from the BATFE.

Quick summary of what's allowed under CA laws:
Pistol -> Rifle -> Pistol = illegal because it would be a SBR
Rifle -> Pistol = illegal because it would be a SBR

Crap. So if I want to turn my old Mosin Nagant into a pistol I would have to actually pay a firearms manufacturer to do it? ...it would be a summer project so I have not looked into the legality of it at all, but I wanted to just cut the barrel short, cut the stock into a one-hand grip, and maybe put some ridiculous muzzle brake on it and register it as a pistol. Hrrrmmmmm

...this would actually be in WA, but I kind of figured turning a rifle into a pistol would be a federal law thing aside from registering it in your state...

You need to comply with both Federal and state laws.

Making a Mosin-Nagant rifle into a "handgun", would be a SBR.

In order to legally do this under Federal laws, you will need BATFE approval to make a SBR.

In order to legally do this under CA state laws, you will need a valid CA DOJ BOF Dangerous Weapons Permit for a SBR and BATFE approval to make a SBR.
CA DOJ will not issue a Dangerous Weapons Permit for a SBR unless the SBR is for use as a prop in the entertainment industry or for use/sale to a Gov/Mil/LE agency.

In order to legally do this under WA state laws, you need to be a FFL/SOT or a Gov/Mil/LE agency.
WA state laws prohibits the possession of DD, MG, SBR & SBS by non-exempt persons. (a regular person can not legally own one in WA)

[JeremyS]

WA state laws prohibits the possession of DD, MG, SBR & SBS by non-exempt persons. (a regular person can not legally own one in WA)

...although they're working on it. Suppressor use became legal this year

Thanks for the info! I have already forgotten I ever had the idea in the first place