Converting a pistol to a rifle...

[thefinger]

I was reading the recent thread about the Magtech .45 carbine conversion for 1911 pistols, and it made me think....

Are there any legal issues with converting pistols to rifles?

I am wondering because I was considering getting another stripped AR15 lower before I move back to CA in about 5 months (I'm stuck in Missouri for now), and if there isn't any rule against converting a pistol to a rifle then I would consider buying an AR15 pistol lower instead. I figure that would give me more options as far as my build goes... I could build a pistol later, or keep it as a rifle, or expect slightly better resale for it if I ever decided to sell it.

What are your thoughts?

[mike452]

I don't think the CA DOJ will allow you to bring in a SBR.

[Grouch]

maybe if you stuck a 2 foot long barrel on the end to make it 30 inches.

[AJAX22]

using a pistol marked lower to build a rifle is compleatly 100% Ok

just make sure to register it with the state as a pistol when you bring it in.

also make sure you follow all Fed rules when you put it togeather, s
hort barrel + stock = no no
long barrel + stock = ok
short barrel + no stock = ok

[JHC]

Make sure you bring a couple of pistol lowers in, should you decide to only keep one the others can be PPT'd to other Californians, I bet you could double your money for any lower you decided to sell.

[IH8CALAWS]

maybe if you stuck a 2 foot long barrel on the end to make it 30 inches.

or a 16" and a car stock.

[dfletcher]

So long as you don't run afoul of any CA AW laws, turning a pistol into a rifle is perfectly legal. My approach - were I to have a great interest in these - would be to buy an AR pistol receiver, build it into a pistol, fix the mag and bring it to CA. You could do the same thing with the Kel Tec PU 16. Slap a cover over the mag release (don't recall if the barrel is threaded) to make it fixed & you're fine.

[jonrx7]

As I can recall they used to sell vintage stocks that mounts to a browning hipower and 1911 handguns for stability. These stocks sure looks cool and works.

I guess this makes the handgun a SBR which is no no in the law.

JT

[E Pluribus Unum]

So long as you don't run afoul of any CA AW laws, turning a pistol into a rifle is perfectly legal.

So.. you are basically saying "As long as you don't break any laws, its legal".



Thank you for that...