AR pistol

[Tronster]

Still no word on DI or GP setup in that AR pistol? How do you control the gas pressures at the BCG if it's DI?

[Mn01r6]

With an adjustable gas block.

[JJ]

Why the hell would you do some thing like this it seems stupid to me!

Because they are real fun range toys? Or in my case, I built them for my wife and I to circumvent slug zone deer hunting laws in MN.

Interesting Are there any barrel length rules for a pistol? Can you have a 14 or 16" barrel on a pistol?

As I read the laws on what constitutes a pistol/handgun, 26" is the cutoff. After 26", it is no longer considered a pistol, but instead is classified as AOW (Any Other Weapon).

[CZscout]

I've been researching this myself too - the 26" pistol max length rule DOES apply in MN.

So now the question:

Using a carbine length buffer tube (not the short pistol one) :
What is the max barrel length (including a standard a2 flash hider) that can be used in MN for an AR pistol?

I'm thinking a 10.5" barrel + the flash hider will still be over 26" with the carbine buffer tube, but I am not sure - nothing to measure or compare to.

Anyone have an AR pistol that could take a quick overall length measurement?

[FJ540]

My 7.5" barrel w/STD ends up at 23.25". Sans STD would be 22.25".

Carbine receiver extensions are the same length as pistol ones. Rifle length extensions are 2.75" longer IIRC.

[Uffdaphil]

My 10.5" is 26 1/2" to the end of the A2 flash hider. As the A2 is not permanently attached it should not count towards overall length. Screwed on doesn't legally add length to a 14.5" to make it non-NFA unless welded on. At least that's my argument to the judge.

FWIW, the Vltor A5 extensions are rifle length so no joy on mitigating pistol recoil. Not offensive on mine anyway.

[schuey450]

Interesting Are there any barrel length rules for a pistol? Can you have a 14 or 16" barrel on a pistol?

For the purposes of transporting them under your PTC, the overall length of the weapon must be less than 26 inches.

I'm thinking more along the lines of using it in the deer stand in a shotgun zone.

[Tronster]

Not sure I'd want to take a 10" barrel AR deer hunting, due to so much velocity loss for the .223 to still remain effective. Perhaps the 300 blackout would be a better choice?

[JJ]

Not sure I'd want to take a 10" barrel AR deer hunting, due to so much velocity loss for the .223 to still remain effective. Perhaps the 300 blackout would be a better choice?

Nosler will tell you the 30cal 125 NBT will expand reliably down to about 1600fps. My 300 AAC's with 10.5"bbl's will push that load to about 2050fps. Doing the calculations, that puts my maximum range for reliable expansion somewhere about 225yds.

[FJ540]

300blk is a real good fit in an AR pistol. I lose 150fps with the same ammo in 7.5" from what I get out of 16".

[Uffdaphil]

Well lookee here! 21.5" OAL AK pistol with brace. Time to put the hurt on my Visa.

[BemidjiDweller]

I can't take my 16" upper and put it onto my AR pistol lower?

[CZscout]

I can't take my 16" upper and put it onto my AR pistol lower?

You can, but if I am understand the MN laws correctly:

If a 16" or longer barreled upper is put on a pistol lower, the firearm is now considered a "normal" rifle (over 26" overall length). Since no longer considered a pistol, you cannot have it loaded like a CCW. PTC rules do not apply since it is now a rifle.

If an upper with a barrel length shorter than 16" is put on a pistol lower AND the overall length is over 26", it is then considered a SBR - lots of laws apply now.

If an upper has a barrel length less than 16" (without a pinned or welded flash hider etc..) is put onto a rifle lower, it is an SBR - lots of laws apply.

To be a legal AR pistol in MN, any barrel length will work, as long as the overall length is shorter than 26". Typically a max barrel length of 10.5 to 11" uppers are right at 26" on a pistol lower.

Right?

Make any sense?

[FJ540]

Wrong.

To be considered a rifle, it MUST be meant to be shouldered: have a stock.

If the length is over 26" and it does not have a stock: it's a firearm. Not a rifle or a pistol.

The removable muzzle device issue mentioned above is also correct. If you're making a firearm to allow use of a VFG without a stock (no SBR stamp), the OAL is based on the shortest you can make the gun function. I've pinned/welded flash hiders to comply with this before.

[CZscout]

Wrong.

To be considered a rifle, it MUST be meant to be shouldered: have a stock.

If the length is over 26" and it does not have a stock: it's a firearm. Not a rifle or a pistol.

The removable muzzle device issue mentioned above is also correct. If you're making a firearm to allow use of a VFG without a stock (no SBR stamp), the OAL is based on the shortest you can make the gun function. I've pinned/welded flash hiders to comply with this before.

Just for clarification -

So, if I put my 16" HBAR barreled upper on my pistol lower (over 26"), I CAN NOT legally have it loaded in my trunk if my car - Like a pistol.

I also COULD NOT hunt with it in a pistol zone because it would be over 26"

Correct?