AR15 Pistol to rifle back to pistol

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Joined
Nov 1, 2024
Messages
45
Reaction score
41
Location
Tulsa
20241105_230411.jpg
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2024
Messages
45
Reaction score
41
Location
Tulsa
so a little background, I am originally from Kommiefornia. There, even if you buy a AR15 lower, it is automatically a rifle.

As a pistol, it has to have been a complete pistol, the state requires you to perform a safe handling test with the FFL. This was actually on the CA roster and was a bolt action repeater. It didn't have a gas tube.

there are also more issues with rifles and pistols in CA. but that's another story.

I just want to make sure there isn't an issue doing what I plan on doing here out in CA with my builds.
 

Dmc707

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Nov 1, 2023
Messages
814
Reaction score
1,869
Location
Norman

(Copied and pasted from another site)



Thompson/Center Arms Co. went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to establish the lawfulness of the Contender pistol and Carbine (including the carbine kit), and won. The Supreme Court opinion also establishes the legality of the Encore system, which has similar interchangeable parts.

With these systems, a receiver may be assembled either with a pistol grip and pistol barrel, or with a shoulder stock and rifle barrel (minimum length 16 inches). A barrel under 16 inches in length must never be assembled onto the receiver when the shoulder stock is attached. Within that parameter, the consumer may use the parts to make a pistol or carbine, and may change the configuration at will.

In 1988, Thompson/Center filed suit against the United States alleging that the pistol and carbine kit used above do not constitute a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches in length, a weapon made from a rifle with overall length less than 26 inches, or a restricted "firearm" as otherwise defined in the National Firearms Act. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Thompson/Center. Their opinions are cited as United States v. Thompson/Center Arms Co., 504 U.S. 505 (1992), affirming 924 F.2d 1041 (Fed. Cir. 1991).

In the trial court and in the Federal Circuit, the United States argued both that (1) the mere unassembled parts constituted a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches in length, and that (2) use of the receiver to assemble a pistol after a rifle had been assembled constituted making a weapon from a rifle with overall length less than 26 inches. The Federal Circuit rejected both arguments. See 924 F.2d at 1043, citing 26 U.S.C. § 5845 (a) (3) and (4). The United States abandoned the latter argument in the Supreme Court, which held generally for Thompson/Center. Accordingly, both issues (1) and (2) were decided in favor of Thompson/Center and are not now open to question.

Thus, the sale, possession, and use of the Contender or Encore pistol and carbine as described above are fully in accord with federal law. The use of these products in all of the States is likewise lawful, except that certain restrictions may apply in California.
 

Dmc707

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Nov 1, 2023
Messages
814
Reaction score
1,869
Location
Norman
You should just buy a new “multi use” stripped lower receiver just to save yourself from worrying about it and keep the CA registered one handy in case you ever go back

Saw some in the “steals n deals” thread for $20 - but even if you purchased a upper with a premium brand’s roll mark, wouldn’t cost over $200 and might give you the peace of mind you are seeking
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2019
Messages
784
Reaction score
1,240
Location
EL RENO, OK
The headlines will read- ATF went undercover at every shooting range in OK looking for any weapon changed from its original design and put every one of these criminals in jail. It was necessary to release murders and rapist to create room for these vicious criminals. ATF spokesman stated we were hoping to kill a few of these violators to make a point - we are in control. But they just acted like law abiding citizens and we were forced to hold our fire.
 
Joined
Nov 1, 2024
Messages
45
Reaction score
41
Location
Tulsa
You should just buy a new “multi use” stripped lower receiver just to save yourself from worrying about it and keep the CA registered one handy in case you ever go back

Saw some in the “steals n deals” thread for $20 - but even if you purchased a upper with a premium brand’s roll mark, wouldn’t cost over $200 and might give you the peace of mind you are seeking
I have a few lowers. I'm fine. One is a Franklin Armory CA7, so it actually says Pistol on the side. the rest, technically are rifles, but they can stay rifles. Just wanted to know the legalities so I have my bases covered
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom