School me on the AR15 pistol

[ScottDLS]

I think the buffer tube is the problem. It seems like the AR Pistol is a compromise to avoid the idiotic NFA regulations about SBR's. If you really want a pistol format 5.56 then the EXTAR above looks easier to handle. If you really want a SBR, then make or buy one.

I think the buffer tube is the saving grace for an AR Pistol in terms of shootability, it allows for a third point (hands and cheek) of contact when pretending it's a rifle.

Keep in mind IMHO, the AR pistol is best in the 12" barrel range for the closest rifle performance yet compactness. So I would never really expect to use it as a pistol and would use the buffer tube to steady with a cheek weld like a rifle.

Why not add the stock then? It's just a bad compromise to avoid the NFA regs.

[Pawpaw]

Instead of an AR15 pistol, I'm sort of jonesing for an EXTAR EXP556.



It weighs just over 4 lbs and is only 18 inches long. It has an 8.25" 1:9 barrel and no buffer tube.

It and an extra mag should fit in a large messenger bag.

Nice, but the charging handle is on the wrong side.

Actually, you should be happy with it being on the left side. Since it reciprocates with each round, you won't have to worry about it slapping your thumb!

[Charles L. Cotton]

Folks that have AR-15 pistols need to remember that all laws applicable to handguns apply to those guns. That means it must be either concealed, or carried openly in a belt holster (good luck!) or a shoulder holster. A shoulder harness with the gun hanging on a lanyard may suffice as a shoulder holster.

In your car, remember to keep it concealed.

Chas.

[b4aftr]

Charles,

Could one be carried (locked in a case in a car) according to GFSZA?

Sorry if it has been covered, I tried searching but the results were muddled.

[dhoobler]

I have 2 stripped lower receivers that I bought a few years ago that had been sitting in storage till recently. I have purchased a 16" 5.56 rifle kit and it should be here tomorrow, which I plan to build a 16" with one of the lowers.

As for the other lower, I am interested in building a 300 BLK AR15 pistol with it. From the research that I've done, it seems it's perfectly ok for me to do so since the lower receiver were originally purchased as a stripped lower and had not have anything attached to it. I am deciding between 8.5" or 10.5" barrel. Sometimes in the future I do want a can to go with it. Any pros and cons given the purpose for not more than 200 yards shooting and mostly CQC? Suggestions?

I am not a lawyer, but as I understand it, you might be building an SBR. If the stripped lower was sold as a rifle, you cannot turn it into a pistol. If you put a barrel shorter than 16 inches on a rifle receiver, you have an SBR. It depends on how the dealer recorded the sale.

I agree it is bull, but when dealing with the ATF, I don't assume.

[jb2012]

I have 2 stripped lower receivers that I bought a few years ago that had been sitting in storage till recently. I have purchased a 16" 5.56 rifle kit and it should be here tomorrow, which I plan to build a 16" with one of the lowers.

As for the other lower, I am interested in building a 300 BLK AR15 pistol with it. From the research that I've done, it seems it's perfectly ok for me to do so since the lower receiver were originally purchased as a stripped lower and had not have anything attached to it. I am deciding between 8.5" or 10.5" barrel. Sometimes in the future I do want a can to go with it. Any pros and cons given the purpose for not more than 200 yards shooting and mostly CQC? Suggestions?

I am not a lawyer, but as I understand it, you might be building an SBR. If the stripped lower was sold as a rifle, you cannot turn it into a pistol. If you put a barrel shorter than 16 inches on a rifle receiver, you have an SBR. It depends on how the dealer recorded the sale.

I agree it is bull, but when dealing with the ATF, I don't assume.

I think you're right!

[LSUTiger]

I think the buffer tube is the problem. It seems like the AR Pistol is a compromise to avoid the idiotic NFA regulations about SBR's. If you really want a pistol format 5.56 then the EXTAR above looks easier to handle. If you really want a SBR, then make or buy one.

I think the buffer tube is the saving grace for an AR Pistol in terms of shootability, it allows for a third point (hands and cheek) of contact when pretending it's a rifle.

Keep in mind IMHO, the AR pistol is best in the 12" barrel range for the closest rifle performance yet compactness. So I would never really expect to use it as a pistol and would use the buffer tube to steady with a cheek weld like a rifle.

Why not add the stock then? It's just a bad compromise to avoid the NFA regs.

This when you need a shoulder thingy that goes up! So you can shoulder your AR Pistol!

[Rayden]

I think the FFL where I picked up the striped lowers a few years back had marked it as "Other" but I can't remember for sure and have not ask them to check their files. FWIW I just bought a Radical Firearms AR15 Pistol with the Sig brace instead of building one with one of my stripped lowers. I don't think I can build one for less money than what I paid for it and Radical Firearms are local here in Houston and makes great stuffs from my research.

I will give my thoughts after I get the chance to take it out to the range.

I have 2 stripped lower receivers that I bought a few years ago that had been sitting in storage till recently. I have purchased a 16" 5.56 rifle kit and it should be here tomorrow, which I plan to build a 16" with one of the lowers.

As for the other lower, I am interested in building a 300 BLK AR15 pistol with it. From the research that I've done, it seems it's perfectly ok for me to do so since the lower receiver were originally purchased as a stripped lower and had not have anything attached to it. I am deciding between 8.5" or 10.5" barrel. Sometimes in the future I do want a can to go with it. Any pros and cons given the purpose for not more than 200 yards shooting and mostly CQC? Suggestions?

I am not a lawyer, but as I understand it, you might be building an SBR. If the stripped lower was sold as a rifle, you cannot turn it into a pistol. If you put a barrel shorter than 16 inches on a rifle receiver, you have an SBR. It depends on how the dealer recorded the sale.

I agree it is bull, but when dealing with the ATF, I don't assume.

[ScottDLS]

One thing about those "braces" on AR15 pistols. It may not be a good idea to build one that way. I beileve that the AR15 pistol makers that install "braces" have gone to ATF tech branch to get a ruling that they are not stocks. Otherwise ATF might just decide that a wrist brace is really a stock. One of the criteria for being a pistol and not a SBR is that the gun is "designed" to be able to be fired with one hand.

[locke_n_load]

I just bought a few stripped lowers. I asked what they marked them as, and they said "other". Pistol build with that should be G2G.

[carlson1]

One thing about those "braces" on AR15 pistols. It may not be a good idea to build one that way. I beileve that the AR15 pistol makers that install "braces" have gone to ATF tech branch to get a ruling that they are not stocks. Otherwise ATF might just decide that a wrist brace is really a stock. One of the criteria for being a pistol and not a SBR is that the gun is "designed" to be able to be fired with one hand.

The braces are completely legal. There is another brace that I like better than the Sig and that is the Blade. Either way they both come with a letter from ATF stating they are legal.

[74novaman]

Folks that have AR-15 pistols need to remember that all laws applicable to handguns apply to those guns. That means it must be either concealed, or carried openly in a belt holster (good luck!) or a shoulder holster. A shoulder harness with the gun hanging on a lanyard may suffice as a shoulder holster.

In your car, remember to keep it concealed.

Chas.

True.

One reason I think AR pistols are so popular around the country is that the flip side of that for those in states who don't have good laws for rifles/shotguns is that many states will allow you to have a loaded pistol in the car, but not a loaded rifle.

[74novaman]

I built one this week. 10.5", Sig brace. An awfully handy, compact package with a 20 round magazine.



Compared to a 16" AR:

[carlson1]

I have a Spikes Tactical 10.5" barrel that has the Blade Stabilizer on it. I carry it every time we travel with about 5 - 30 round magazines in the case. I set it in the back seat of the Suburban and it is a comfort to know it is setting there.

[Bitter Clinger]

I have a Spikes Tactical 10.5" barrel that has the Blade Stabilizer on it. I carry it every time we travel with about 5 - 30 round magazines in the case. I set it in the back seat of the Suburban and it is a comfort to know it is setting there.

I was about to write a Form 1 to SBR my pistol before the Obama OE rules go into effect, but on the other hand, that would limit the ability to take it on driving trips out of state. Any thoughts?

Also, many folks here have stated that the brace is legal which is true, however just to clarify, my understanding is that it is legal as long as you do NOT shoulder it (as you may recall, the ATF kinda reversed their position after some moron asked them that question directly ). Now that only matters at some public ranges, not all, and certainly not on private property or in a real self defense situation...