S&W 223 pistol

[Q]

I have been wanting a AR pistol for a while.
Found virgin Smith & Wesson m&p15 receivers for sale.
I really like the logo and the brand. Don't like the big painted letters on the right side.

Should I have a virgin receiver engraved pistol? Can the virgin receiver be shipped here then engraved then built to single shot? Or best all done out of state first because the virgin receiver doesn't have pistol on it? Does or will S&W make a m&p15 pistol lower?

[56Chevy]

It has to say "pistol" on it. You could probably engrave "pistol" on it and register it in CA without the feds knowing it, but it may cause you problems in the future.

[Q]

I wonder if S&W will engrave it? I was thinking of any FFL with a mfg license to make me one?

[56Chevy]

I wonder if S&W will engrave it? I was thinking of any FFL with a mfg license to make me one?

If you buy one engraved "pistol" then you'd have to figure out how to DROS it since it's not on the list. Look up "single shot pistol exemption." You should find what you need.

[Steve O]

It has to say "pistol" on it. You could probably engrave "pistol" on it and register it in CA without the feds knowing it, but it may cause you problems in the future.

I didn't think it has to say "PISTOL" on the receiver. But it DOES have to be DROSed as a pistol!

[56Chevy]

I didn't think it has to say "PISTOL" on the receiver. But it DOES have to be DROSed as a pistol!

Could he do a voluntary registration on it, since there's no CA record of the rifle receiver?

[JeffM]

It has to say "pistol" on it. You could probably engrave "pistol" on it and register it in CA without the feds knowing it, but it may cause you problems in the future.

It does not need to say pistol.

Until the NeRF issue gets ironed out, it would need to be built out of state by an 07 FFL or equivalent as a single shot pistol that meets the required dimensions.

There are several posts on this issue. Search through Freakshow's posts as he has articulated the complexities of the process clearly.

[Q]

Sweet! I noticed most handguns don't say pistol on them either. Been wanting a S&W for a while. Will look into getting one built for 2009.