Can I make this AR15 lower into a pistol?

Question

ok i have a "virgin" lower i just bought here....http://www.militarygunsupply.com/shop2/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_12&products_id=217

can I make it pistol?

Answer 1

NO. The receiver is registered as a long arm. The AR lowers for pistols are mechanically the same but marked for pistol. It is a federal violation of the NFA: "Sawed Off Rifle" too short for legal rifle standard. Barrel and over all length, This falls under the manufacturing section after having purchased a rifle receiver. I'm sure you don't like this answer but that is the law.

What is the chance you get caught: slim

Answer 2

Yes just buy a pistol kit and install a pistol buffer instead of a butt stock

http://spikestactical.com/catalog/produc...

Answer 3

Check what state you live in first! be careful when you do, when you do build it, you cant throw a buttstock on it afterwards if the barrel is less then 16 inches, that makes it a short barreled rifle

some states do not allow them, so just double check in your own state

Answer 4

There is alot of misinformation regarding this.  Here are the facts, right from the ATF.  

Not only must it be a virgin receiver, it must have never been transferred as a rifle lower.  If any FFL transfers it as a rifle, then it will always be a rifle.  It must be virgin from the manufacturer and transferred to you as a pistol.  It does NOT need to be marked as a  pistol.  

http://www.jcweaponry.com/images/ar15/BB...

Answer 5

defitnately, go have fun

Answer 6

Wrong, Mongo, and everyone else in this thread.

There is no such thing as "registered as a long arm".  A serialized receiver is simply a serialized receiver until it gets assembled as a rifle or pistol.  If it's assembled as a rifle, then changing it to a pistol form is illegal....but as long as the receiver hasn't been assembled as a rifle, it's legal to build it as a pistol but under specific rules.

You *can* convert a truly virgin receiver to a pistol format legally as long as you first contact the manufacturer of the receiver and get a signed statement from them saying the receiver/serial number has *never* had a stock attached to it.  Once you have that, you're free and clear to build your pistol.  Without first getting that statement, it's assumed that the receiver was built as a rifle and then stripped....in which case, you're breaking the law.

So bottom line, write the manufacturer and get that statement before you do anything.  Without it, you can assume the receiver had a stock test fitted to it at the factory and it's illegal to convert.