AR question for the experts

[Justin342987]

I have a lower that I have been wanting to turn into a pistol. (so I can enjoy while waiting for stamp.) The question is when I get it engraved do I need to get the word pistol engraved as well, or does the pistol buffer tube make it legal? Or is it even legal at all to take a lower (that has never been on a rifle upper, i know that law) and engrave it and make it a pistol, or should it be a registered pistol lower from the manuf. Thanks having a little trouble searching for the answer.

[dessl]

Should be legal now if the stripped lower was a virgin lower.

You will need to a stamp and engraving, if you plan on making it into a short barrel rifle.

[Tommyh]

if it was originally registered as a "rifle" on the 4472, then no you cant. "other" or "pistol" you can make it a pistol without a stamp. has nothing to do with what upper was or was not on it at any time. does not need "pistol" engraved as the absence of the buttstock makes it obvious.

[lungbuster1985]

My understanding is that "pistol" is not necessary on the engraving. If the lower has never been assembeled with a rifle buffer tube, then you can assemble it as a pistol for now and once the stamp gets in you just slap a tube and stock on it. You can go from pistol to rifle configuration, but not the other way. Get the engraving done first so you can make sure it is all correct, then send for the stamp. This way you dont get stuck with a registered SBR lower that has messed up engravings on it.

[Justin342987]

Thanks guys, I bought it as a stripped lower, but it was probably just the FFLs assumption that it would be made into a rifle like probably 95% of stripped lowers become. So I'm sure it was registered as a rifle, any way they can check?

[Tommyh]

call the FFL and ask him to verify for you. he can look at your paperwork and tell you without a doubt how it was done

[Justin342987]

Well I just checked with my FFL and they said there was no way to go back and look at that, but if it was a stripped lower then the only thing they can mark it is "other" so sounds like I'm in business!

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

Well I just checked with my FFL and they said there was no way to go back and look at that, but if it was a stripped lower then the only thing they can mark it is "other" so sounds like I'm in business!

So you bought the lower over twenty years ago???

He has to keep the 4473 in his possession for twenty years. He being lazy.

[Justin342987]

I agree with you on that, I thought for sure they would have to keep those records, but as Long as he said that it could only be marked that, then I guess I'll trust him. Maybe he'll take the fall with me when the alphabet boys catch up to me lol

[mchildress]

Tell him your going to call ATF and check since he can't find the paper work. Unless something has changed the FFL has to keep all paper work on guns he has sold.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

I agree with you on that, I thought for sure they would have to keep those records, but as Long as he said that it could only be marked that, then I guess I'll trust him. Maybe he'll take the fall with me when the alphabet boys catch up to me lol

Sounds like fun, you can become real close friends at the federal pen.

[sutherpride59]

Lol all fun and jokes aside, the 1919 A4 right sideplate and the AR lower are the only 2 items the ATF have labeled as "other". The reason the ATF told my FFL was cuz the AR lower can be legally made into a pistol and i've no idea why the right side plate of a 1919 is "other" but when i bought mine and beat my gun together it was. Lol i was 18 when i bought it and cuz to buy something classed as "other" you have to be 21 i had to beat 2 rivits into the gun and the FFL sold it to me as a rifle

Sorry my point is the AR lower is an "other" so dont worry about it and make ur pistol. If you still dont have the warm and fuzzy get on the ATF's website and contact them.

[Tommyh]

Lol all fun and jokes aside, the 1919 A4 right sideplate and the AR lower are the only 2 items the ATF have labeled as "other". The reason the ATF told my FFL was cuz the AR lower can be legally made into a pistol and i've no idea why the right side plate of a 1919 is "other" but when i bought mine and beat my gun together it was. Lol i was 18 when i bought it and cuz to buy something classed as "other" you have to be 21 i had to beat 2 rivits into the gun and the FFL sold it to me as a rifle

Sorry my point is the AR lower is an "other" so dont worry about it and make ur pistol. If you still dont have the warm and fuzzy get on the ATF's website and contact them.

Dont listen to this unless youre feeling lucky. The ffl can label as other or pistol or rifle. The mandatory sentence for being wrong aint worth the risk.

[outlaw38]

So you bought the lower over twenty years ago???

He has to keep the 4473 in his possession for twenty years. He being lazy.

Maybe he let his FFL go and packed up all the 4473's and sent them back.

[Coach W]

Tommyh is right on all his post. Listen to him.

As for the ffl not knowing... Hes either A. a moron B. lazy or C. has closed up shop and handed his book in to the ATF.

Either way I would never do busineness with him again.

and by the way if the FFL goes out of business or lets his business go the only thing that goes back to the ATF is the Bound book... the form 4473's dont go.

The dealer also records all information from the Form 4473 into their "bound-book". A dealer must keep this log the entire time they are in business and is required to surrender the log to the ATF upon retirement from the firearms business.


FFLs must keep a copy of each ATF Form 4473 for which a NICS check has been initiated, regardless of whether the transfer of the firearm was made. If the transfer is not made, the FFL must keep the Form 4473 for 5 years after the date of the NICS inquiry. If the transfer is made, the FFL must keep the Form 4473 for 20 years after the date of the sale or disposition. Forms 4473 with respect to a transfer that did not take place must be separately maintained.

[27 CFR 478.129(b)]