I think it depends on the upper or lower, tom ofbignorance shown again by the MDC
PCC and alternative season
Does anyone know off hand, if I put a pistol brace on my sons 9mm AR PCC can he use it during alternative season?
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Short answer, no and you would have committed a felony.
If the lower receiver was originally assembled as a rifle, then you CANNOT LEGALLY convert it to a pistol. If the gun started life as a PISTOL, it would be legal and could be used for Alternative Methods season.
Is this law stupid? Yes. Is it likely that an MDC agent even knows this law or that it would come up during a check? No. Is it worth the risk of going to jail? No
All that said, I would encourage exploring a different caliber. There are so many great options and rifle caliber pistols out there. I assembled a 6.5 Grendel 12” pistol from PSA for less than $500. It shoots 1.5 MOA. A 12” Grendel has more energy at 300 yards than a 16” 7.62x39 does at the muzzle.
If the lower receiver was originally assembled as a rifle, then you CANNOT LEGALLY convert it to a pistol. If the gun started life as a PISTOL, it would be legal and could be used for Alternative Methods season.
Is this law stupid? Yes. Is it likely that an MDC agent even knows this law or that it would come up during a check? No. Is it worth the risk of going to jail? No
All that said, I would encourage exploring a different caliber. There are so many great options and rifle caliber pistols out there. I assembled a 6.5 Grendel 12” pistol from PSA for less than $500. It shoots 1.5 MOA. A 12” Grendel has more energy at 300 yards than a 16” 7.62x39 does at the muzzle.
I guess that hadn't crossed my mind. I don't remember what its registered as, I bought a dedicated stripped lower and built it myself for my son to shoot IDPA.Short answer, no and you would have committed a felony.
If the lower receiver was originally assembled as a rifle, then you CANNOT LEGALLY convert it to a pistol. If the gun started life as a PISTOL, it would be legal and could be used for Alternative Methods season.
Is this law stupid? Yes. Is it likely that an MDC agent even knows this law or that it would come up during a check? No. Is it worth the risk of going to jail? No
All that said, I would encourage exploring a different caliber. There are so many great options and rifle caliber pistols out there. I assembled a 6.5 Grendel 12" pistol from PSA for less than $500. It shoots 1.5 MOA. A 12" Grendel has more energy at 300 yards than a 16" 7.62x39 does at the muzzle.
A stripped lower should be transferred as "other" at your FFL. Then once you put a barreled upper and arm brace/shoulder stock, it then becomes either a pistol or rifle at that point. Note: it doesn't matter if the lower shipped with a stock or pistol brace. It is not considered assembled until a barreled upper is attached.I guess that hadn't crossed my mind. I don't remember what its registered as, I bought a dedicated stripped lower and built it myself for my son to shoot IDPA.
Fun fact: You can assemble something as a pistol then switch to a rifle and then switch it back to a pistol forever and ever on end. However, if you first assemble it as a rifle, it is always a rifle. That is why I put a pistol brace and barreled upper on all my lowers when I assemble them and take a picture of it with the serial number visible. That way, I can legally configure it as a pistol or rifle.
And the ATF and their bull$&!+ laws can go pound sand
Seems like a really big grey area, whos to say I didn't assemble as a pistol first? I guess better safe than sorry when it comes down to it. Ill just have him start shooting his pistol more. Im sure they would have something to say about the 16 inch overall length of the barrel anyway.A stripped lower should be transferred as "other" at your FFL. Then once you put a barreled upper and arm brace/shoulder stock, it then becomes either a pistol or rifle at that point. Note: it doesn't matter if the lower shipped with a stock or pistol brace. It is not considered assembled until a barreled upper is attached.
Fun fact: You can assemble something as a pistol then switch to a rifle and then switch it back to a pistol forever and ever on end. However, if you first assemble it as a rifle, it is always a rifle. That is why I put a pistol brace and barreled upper on all my lowers when I assemble them and take a picture of it with the serial number visible. That way, I can legally configure it as a pistol or rifle.
Yes. The barrel length is probably what is most likely to cause you headache. Most people believe that a pistol barrel has to be below 16", but that is 100% false. They are mixing it up with the short-barreled rifle regs.Seems like a really big grey area, whos to say I didn't assemble as a pistol first? I guess better safe than sorry when it comes down to it. Ill just have him start shooting his pistol more. Im sure they would have something to say about the 16 inch overall length of the barrel anyway.
It's not worth having to go to court to argue the fact. That's why I went with the Grendel. It performs very well out of short barrels.
It only matters if you bought a rifle. Stripped lowers are good to go. It was never transferred as a rifle so you can do whatever you want with it. But for goodness sake don't try to kill a deer with a 9mm. Get a 6.5 Grendel.Seems like a really big grey area, whos to say I didn't assemble as a pistol first? I guess better safe than sorry when it comes down to it. Ill just have him start shooting his pistol more. Im sure they would have something to say about the 16 inch overall length of the barrel anyway.
Imma need to see your math. Not saying it isn't true, but 300yds is a long way, even for a high BC 6.5 bullet.Short answer, no and you would have committed a felony.
If the lower receiver was originally assembled as a rifle, then you CANNOT LEGALLY convert it to a pistol. If the gun started life as a PISTOL, it would be legal and could be used for Alternative Methods season.
Is this law stupid? Yes. Is it likely that an MDC agent even knows this law or that it would come up during a check? No. Is it worth the risk of going to jail? No
All that said, I would encourage exploring a different caliber. There are so many great options and rifle caliber pistols out there. I assembled a 6.5 Grendel 12" pistol from PSA for less than $500. It shoots 1.5 MOA. A 12" Grendel has more energy at 300 yards than a 16" 7.62x39 does at the muzzle.
Well I was thinking about letting him, I mean after all it is 35cal. I have some pretty hot hand loads for it and its pretty accurate at 50 yards, which is the max I'd let him shoot it.It only matters if you bought a rifle. Stripped lowers are good to go. It was never transferred as a rifle so you can do whatever you want with it. But for goodness sake don't try to kill a deer with a 9mm. Get a 6.5 Grendel.
You're right. I remembered wrong.Imma need to see your math. Not saying it isn't true, but 300yds is a long way, even for a high BC 6.5 bullet.
A 12" Grendel and 16.3" AK are about the same point blank. At 600 yards the Grendel has more energy than an AK at 300. By 300 yards, the Grendel has 50% more energy than AK at same range.
...got my 300 yard references jumbled.
Assuming you shoot a heavy bullet at 147gr, it still barely has 300ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. Not trying to rain on your parade, but that's not what most people would call ethical for shooting a deer, especially with so many better options. Is it a recoil sensitivity thing?Well I was thinking about letting him, I mean after all it is 35cal. I have some pretty hot hand loads for it and its pretty accurate at 50 yards, which is the max I'd let him shoot it.
No not a recoil thing, just something different. Trying to get the kid out as much as possible.Assuming you shoot a heavy bullet at 147gr, it still barely has 300ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle. Not trying to rain on your parade, but that's not what most people would call ethical for shooting a deer, especially with so many better options. Is it a recoil sensitivity thing?
You can slap a 223 upper on that lower with a pistol brace and smoke em if you don't wanna get a 6.5 upper. Use some Barnes ammo or a 70gr controlled expansion bullet, and you should be good to go. If you don't have a 223 upper I'm sure somebody would loan you one or it's a great excuse to buy one, and they can be had pretty cheap. If you shoot a heavy for caliber bullet get the 1/7 twist upper instead of 1/9No not a recoil thing, just something different. Trying to get the kid out as much as possible.
As a side note, if it was a rifle that someone disassembled and resold as individual parts, it's illegal to be a pistol. If you got it virgin from a manufacturer or you know without a doubt it was never assembled, you're goodI guess that hadn't crossed my mind. I don't remember what its registered as, I bought a dedicated stripped lower and built it myself for my son to shoot IDPA.
The only 223 uppers I have are both 24 inch barrel, I'll just put a pistol brace on my sons 300aac. All my lowers were bought stripped so if what was said earlier is correct they are registered as incomplete.You can slap a 223 upper on that lower with a pistol brace and smoke em if you don't wanna get a 6.5 upper. Use some Barnes ammo or a 70gr controlled expansion bullet, and you should be good to go. If you don't have a 223 upper I'm sure somebody would loan you one or it's a great excuse to buy one, and they can be had pretty cheap. If you shoot a heavy for caliber bullet get the 1/7 twist upper instead of 1/9
You can use the 24" upper if you wanted too, but the 300 will work almost as well, although the terminal performance of the 300 depends heavily on bullet selection. 120gr 30cal bullet has a terrible sectional density and gives poor penetration, but with a broadside double lung shot, should put them down quick enough. Good luck and be sure and report back on how it performs.The only 223 uppers I have are both 24 inch barrel, I'll just put a pistol brace on my sons 300aac. All my lowers were bought stripped so if what was said earlier is correct they are registered as incomplete.
It doesn't matter how they were bought. A stripped lower, if done properly by the FFL, is transferred as "other". When you put a shoulder stock and barreled upper on it, it became a rifle by the witch magic of the ATF.The only 223 uppers I have are both 24 inch barrel, I'll just put a pistol brace on my sons 300aac. All my lowers were bought stripped so if what was said earlier is correct they are registered as incomplete.
If first assembled as a rifle, that lower will always be a rifle. You cannot (legally) assemble it as pistol later. Now, it's doubtful anyone would call you on this, but this whole thread could be evidence lol.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/7/14/building-ar-15-pistols-at-home/
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