I've seen uppers, barrels, and rifles before that are 14.5" with a pinned 1.5" flash hider that are considered 16" barrels because the flash hider is permanently attached for a total length of 16". My question is, if I were to do this myself, would the gun technically be illegal after it's been cut but before the flash hider's been pinned? If so, would I have to send it somewhere and get that done?
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Pinned flash hider--status while building?
- Thread starter glockopop
- Start date
Willie Lowman
New member
If the barrel is not on the rifle, it is just a barrel.
However possessing a short barrel and a gun that it could go on with no NFA paperwork is constructive possession (illegal).
While I think you could do what you are talking about legally, it seems you are treading on dangerous ground.
I would just buy a upper that has the 14.5" barrel and hider pinned on and sell the old 16" upper you are looking to cut.
However possessing a short barrel and a gun that it could go on with no NFA paperwork is constructive possession (illegal).
While I think you could do what you are talking about legally, it seems you are treading on dangerous ground.
I would just buy a upper that has the 14.5" barrel and hider pinned on and sell the old 16" upper you are looking to cut.
If you do it yourself1)realize "blind pin" has a whole other definition to the BATF than it does to a machinist. found that out by calling the BATF office of firearms technology.
After you lock it on with a blind pin,you must weld over the end of the pin,then dress it off so the weld can't be seen,to prevent "drilling it out"
I'm not suggesting it makes sense,I'm just reporting.
Don't forget to stack all the parts on the barrel,like the gas block/sight,or anything else that won't go over the muzzle device.
Just me,but I cannot comprehend the advantage of a 14 in bbl if you have to stick a pickle on it and make it 16
After you lock it on with a blind pin,you must weld over the end of the pin,then dress it off so the weld can't be seen,to prevent "drilling it out"
I'm not suggesting it makes sense,I'm just reporting.
Don't forget to stack all the parts on the barrel,like the gas block/sight,or anything else that won't go over the muzzle device.
Just me,but I cannot comprehend the advantage of a 14 in bbl if you have to stick a pickle on it and make it 16
Chipperman
New member
Wait isn't the legal length 18 inches?
That's for Shotgun
It used to be (for rifles), but then the powers that be decided a few million M1 carbines with 16 in. barrels were worth more to the government as cash after being sold to the public, and that that would be much easier if they weren't NFA items, so they changed the law.Wait isn't the legal length 18 inches?
However possessing a short barrel and a gun that it could go on with no NFA paperwork is constructive possession (illegal).
Not always. I have never read about anyone being convicted for merely owning Thompson Center pistol and rifle barrels without a registered SBR.
Ranb
Willie Lowman
New member
If you own a Thompson/Center rifle and have some pistol barrels but no pistol you are guilty of this thought crime.
I don't think they have gone after anyone with a T/C on this issue but that doesn't change the fact that people have been arrested for having a stock or vertical grip that could go on a SP 89 or AR15 pistol.
The feds are not kicking in doors to measure barrels. However, every once in a while someone gets popped for this BS
It is a retarded law. I am not going to argue about it in this tread.
I don't think they have gone after anyone with a T/C on this issue but that doesn't change the fact that people have been arrested for having a stock or vertical grip that could go on a SP 89 or AR15 pistol.
The feds are not kicking in doors to measure barrels. However, every once in a while someone gets popped for this BS
It is a retarded law. I am not going to argue about it in this tread.
Bill DeShivs
New member
"It used to be (for rifles), but then the powers that be decided a few million M1 carbines with 16 in. barrels were worth more to the government as cash after being sold to the public, and that that would be much easier if they weren't NFA items, so they changed the law."
I have heard this for 35 years, but I have never seen GI carbine with less than a 16" barrel. LukeA, can you shed any light?
I have heard this for 35 years, but I have never seen GI carbine with less than a 16" barrel. LukeA, can you shed any light?
The way I understand it is that the NFA originally had jurisdiction over both rifle and shotgun barrels of less than 18 inches. M1 carbines have 16 in barrels, and would have been NFA items, and as such would have been very difficult to sell as surplus, so the NFA was amended so M1 carbines were removed from NFA jurisdiction. I don't really know more than that, and I can't easily verify it either.
Technosavant
New member
Just me,but I cannot comprehend the advantage of a 14 in bbl if you have to stick a pickle on it and make it 16
Because usually a 16" bbl isn't naked- there's a flash suppressor or compensator on there anyway, so overall length is closer to 17-18". With a 14.5" bbl and a pinned muzzle device, it takes the overall length down an inch and a half, giving slightly better maneuverability in short quarters. On the AR-15 it also eases things for the carbine length gas system, as the 16" bbl and the short gas system tends to result in rather strong ejection.