Question: I have an AR pistol and wanted to add a angled fore grip like the one pictured here: Is it legal? I've ben told it makes the pistol an AOW (any other weapon). Is there some sort of consensus for this? I have seen it argued both ways....
I was at the local shop that is a Wilson dealer to see what 1911's they had in stock. The only one was used and he showed me a Wilson AR from the same owner. I've never seen one before. Anyone have experience with them. I know they make great 1911's but this one used was twice the price of a Daniel Defense before the surge.
I used to have a .pdf of the BATFE letter talking about this...check for yourself to be sure, but my recollection is that as long as whatever you add doesn't facilitate "shouldering" the weapon it's still a pistol. A cheek weld is not shouldering the weapon. There was some nonsense about a guy wanting to put a cane tip on his pistol buffer tube and it sparked a long debate that eventually led someone to get a ruling from the BATFE. Bottom line: you should be fine w/an AFG but if in doubt ask your local agent.
Like you said, It can be argued either way. And being a ruling from a gov't agency, it could be interpreted either way at any time. I personally would not go around with one like that at a public range, or keep it like that when transporting it where I could be stopped and have to argue the interpretation with some knucklehead know it all LE. I'd put it on for practice and shooting at a private range if I wanted to use it.
Thanks. That's pretty much the conclusion I have reached as well... Contemplating which primary optic to add to my piece of blacktical:
If it can be argued either way then the law isn't written correctly--hint: it can't be argued either way. There's a BATFE letter out there with the ruling on this...if you're gonna shoot something that you think could be regulated as an NFA item, do the research or actually talk to your local BATFE agent and just ask them. Also, while you were careful to not put your serial # in these pics, be careful posting on the Internet if you think a particular configuration might be illegal...or if your pistol is actually built on a lower receiver that was registered as a rifle (mine are all registered as "other" on the form 4473 when they were transferred). If you have an illegal config, Baldy and Co. could possibly get in trouble for letting it be posted just the same as if you put up kiddy pron pics. Well, maybe not that bad but they'll be asked questions they don't need to spend time on. You're OK with an AFG on a pistol, but please do some research. EDIT: cool pistol btw! I like!
I wont give opinions on legality's, but I have been given a couple of pieces of advice over the years that are on point. When you have this long story on why your particular configuration is legal..ask yourself..how will it sound in court? To 12 people who have probably never shot anything. The other was given to me by a atf agent. Get it in writing. They do this all the time as a course of business. Remember just because they gave you the nod over the phone means nothing. They are just slobs going to a job like the rest of us. Gary
Or just get your tax stamp and do whatever you want with it With another tax stamp you can even put a real can on it!
Does anyone know if the Great dumbass state of Illinois will allow someone to get a tax stamp and own a SBR? I have read it both ways and the latest I have found is that as of sometime in 2011 a tax stamp can be bought but none of my local dealers have the slightest clue on what a SBR even is. I know that class 3 is out of the question so no can for me, but a 10.5 noveske upper would be cool on one of my AR's.
Specs? Specially that "evil feature" free float tube. Would like to know the length of the upper as well. That thing is awesome.
If you create a firearms trust, you can get the tax stamp by going around the chief leo signature with the trust. Now whether Illinois allows it or not is another question.