post 2013 lower build options

[Dave]

asking for a friend. no really :p

he's getting his first firearm, and I'm going to help him build out an AR. I know he has to 77r a stripped lower. What's the current legality with what he can build with it? have to be a HBAR? Should assemble as pistol first to keep options open down the road to convert back? Obviously has to conform to OAL requirements in both cases. My memory on the topic is a little hazy as all of mine are pre-2013.

thanks!
Dave

 

[DutchV]

HBAR for rifles (16" barrel length or longer) if they are 5.56 caliber. Other AR calibers have no HBAR requirement. There's no barrel profile requirement for AR pistols.

Yes, you should consider building it as a pistol first, so you could switch back and forth later. Can't change a rifle to a pistol once it's built.

 

[outrider58]

Sounds about right.

 

[Dave]

ty kindly!

 

[rockstarr]

Isn’t the reality of it, after you do your 77r, the state will never know what you build it into?

 

[outrider58]

Isn’t the reality of it, after you do your 77r, the state will never know what you build it into?

The reality of it is, when you castle nut the buffer tube on the lower, without a butt stock attached, it IS a pistol lower. Worry no more.

 

[mvee]

There is no OAL requirement for a pistol

 

[Dave]

There is no OAL requirement for a pistol

if you want to use an AFG there is I believe

 

[DutchV]

if you want to use an AFG there is I believe

Pretty sure you meant VFG - vertical fore grip - which is not allowed on pistols. It would be okay if you went for the AOW stamp. The angled fore grip - AFG - is not vertical so it's okay to use on a pistol.

And if you get past 26" OAL, it's not considered a pistol any more, just a firearm, so the VFG is good again. Or so I'm told. I'm not a lawyer but that's what I've read.

Personally I never used a foregrip, but I think a handstop is useful.

 

[RoadDawg]

HBAR for rifles (16" barrel length or longer) if they are 5.56 caliber. Other AR calibers have no HBAR requirement. There's no barrel profile requirement for AR pistols.

Yes, you should consider building it as a pistol first, so you could switch back and forth later. Can't change a rifle to a pistol once it's built.

You may want to add .223 to that 5.56. It will matter.

 

[Pinecone]

And to be clear, the non-5.56/.223 exemption from HBAR is an MSP interpretation.

The law does not mention caliber for the AR line. It DOES mention caliber for other firearms, such as the Mine-14 with folding stock.

 

[Dave]

You may want to add .223 to that 5.56. It will matter.

assuming 223 Wylde still counts as 223? now just have to find him an upper in stock! me things we'll be building the upper too

 

[outrider58]

assuming 223 Wylde still counts as 223? now just have to find him an upper in stock! me things we'll be building the upper too

Yep

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

The reality of it is, when you castle nut the buffer tube on the lower, without a butt stock attached, it IS a pistol lower. Worry no more.

Thank you Outrider etc

 

[rseymorejr]

Isn’t the reality of it, after you do your 77r, the state will never know what you build it into?

I think if the state ever gets that deep into your business you already have big problems with them