ar pistol

[doubletaptd]

okay, so I am still confused. If I build an ar pistol with an 11.5 " barrel what buffer tube can I use? Are there legal requirements as to how long it can be?

[speeedracerr]

okay, so I am still confused. If I build an ar pistol with an 11.5 " barrel what buffer tube can I use? Are there legal requirements as to how long it can be?

You will need to purchase a pistol buffer tube to ensure that NO stock can be installed.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/pistol-buffer-tube.html

Likewise, you will either need to purchase a Pistol Lower or create a pistol lower from an 80% lower.

It is important that your pistol lower was intended as a PISTOL first since converting a lower that was originally a rifle into a pistol is a NO GO.

Likewise, you will need to complete your lower as a single shot to meet the Single Shot Exemption, using a sled.

This is from what I understand that is what is required, but since I am not an expert on the subject matter perhaps others can chime in on what other requirements are necessary Also... since it's a pistol, I'm unsure if one must posses an HSC card as well, but hopefully others can be of assistance

[oldyeller]

Does an 80% lower need to be marked "pistol"?
Can one get an AR pistol lower in CA without doing an 80%?

[ke6guj]

Does an 80% lower need to be marked "pistol"?

nope.

do glocks or 1911's say "pistol" on them, why would any other pistol need to?

Can one get an AR pistol lower in CA without doing an 80%?

if you aren't roster-exempt, pretty much your only choices are to find one that a private party already has in CA and is selling as a PPT, or to go to someplace like EBRworks and buy one of his complete AR pistols that he will buy the upper back if you don't want it after you complete DROS.

[TygerAR]

Listen to Speeed. He (or She) is right, you can't just start with an off-the-self lower. but If you go with a pistol, then you might as well go with a 8 inch barrel, since it can be a short as you want. This is a 7.5 inch on a 80% lower. The lower has no markings.



You only need a single shot for the DROS not for the 80%. And as far as I know, you will not be able to by a AR pistol lower. So it's buy the pistol complete or build from a 80%

[wash]

Not quite, all AR pistols manufactured or sold in California must be exempt from the "roster of not unsafe handguns".

That means when you first build your AR pistol you must build it as a dimensionally compliant single shot pistol which means a zero round magazine locked in the mag well.

Once your pistol is manufactured, you can change it in to a fixed magazine repeater or any other configuration that is legal under the California "assault weapon" ban.

You are committing the crime of manufacturing an "unsafe handgun" if you skip the dimensionally compliant single shot step.

So don't do that!

[Man Incognito]

Are there legal requirements as to how long it can be?

I believe the barrel must be 6" or longer, and OAL 10" or greater - not a problem with an AR pistol to be dimensionally correct. Bullet button is a must, and to legally be an SSE install a Bob's Sled or similar during final assembly.

If you go with an 11.5" barrel your OAL will probably exceed 26" which opens up the option of a VFG that doesn't require NFA registration.

ETA: Just saw Wash's post as I was posting, spot on info.

[JaMail]

even turners has AR pistols now, a little over priced, but they have them.

[FresnoCNC]

Incognito how can you create a pistol over 26" oal and not reg it? I thought those needed cali $5 tax stamp as an aow. Please cite w/ references if possible

[Man Incognito]

Incognito how can you create a pistol over 26" oal and not reg it? I thought those needed cali $5 tax stamp as an aow. Please cite w/ references if possible

The same way Franklin Armory can make them and Turner's can sell them:

http://www.franklinarmory.com/XO-26_Letter__c_.pdf

... however, it would not be subject to the NFA/AOW classification provided its overall length is at least 26 inches and it is not actually concealed on the person.

[FresnoCNC]

Thanks

[Mr. Casull]

So the question becomes this: I recently completed an 80% AR lower and was going to get it engraved as a pistol. So If I put on a 10 1/2 inch barrel would it be considered a rifle if the overall length was 26"? Would that then prevent me from putting on a 7" barrel and still be within the law? I like the idea of the forward pistol grip as it sure makes it easier to shoot. I have an AR 223 pistol which I have registered as an AOW and was thinking of building one in either a 45ACP or 762.39 to compete with my Draco.

[wash]

A firearm does not become a rifle until it is designed to be fired from the shoulder with a stock.

Length does not matter and there is no legal reason to engrave it "pistol" in Ca but nothing is stopping you.

You could put a 26" barrel on your AR pistol and it would become a "long gun" but there is no "once a long gun always a long gun" law like rifles have.