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what makes a rifle a rifle?

petroxpetrox Member Posts: 7 ✭✭
edited April 2008 in Ask the Experts
years ago I was watching an old western movie with my grandson, one guy screwed a long barrel on a revolver and atached a shoulder stock, my grandson thought that was so cool and I told him it wouldnt be hard to make, so I took an old revolver had an old barrel turned to fit and hand carved a shoulder stock it turned out great, so the last few years we take it out to the desert and hunt jack rabbits every so often, recently someone told me it was illegal as it was a short barreled rifle [ 14" ] then I was told it cant be a rifle because it is a revolver. I have tried to contact the area atf guy but he is out of state until next month, no one in law enforcement here localy has a clue any ideas?
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Comments

  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Handgun with any length barrel is a handgun. Put a shoulder stock on it with a barrel under 16" and it is considered a short barrelled rifle which requires a fee and registration. You can make a handgun into a rifle but not the other way around.
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lose the stock, you'll be OK, i.e. as long as you don't attach a shoulder stock to a handgun, it's legal. Don't be calling the BATF about it, you don't want to be getting your name on their computers/s**t list about anything. My 2?.
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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    You can legally build and have the firearm you are talking about IF you fill out the proper paperwork and pay the tax. You can not have or build it until it has been approved. If your gun has a stock and a bbl less then 16" you will have a SBR (short bbl rifle) which is a NFA firearm.

    Like the others have said there is no limit to how long the bbl on a pistol can be. If you want to but a stock on a pistol you can BUT you HAVE to have a bbl over 16".
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  • iceracerxiceracerx Member Posts: 8,860 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Right from the horses mouth

    http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#m24

    quote:
    (M24) If a person has a pistol and an attachable shoulder stock, does this constitute possession of an NFA firearm? [Back]

    Yes, unless the barrel of the pistol is at least 16 inches in length (and the overall length of the firearm with stock attached is at least 26 inches). However, certain stocked handguns, such as original semiautomatic Mauser "Broomhandles" and Lugers, have been removed from the purview of the NFA as collectors' items.

    [26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11]
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  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Petrox, back in the dawn of time, there WERE revolving rifles, so, yes, a revolver CAN be a rifle. What you have HYPOTHETICALLY (it was hypothetical, wasn't it ???) is an SBR- a handgun with a stock- if the barrel is less than 16"- and is good for a stay in Federal prison, plus a VERY large fine unless registered under the Federal NFA. Does not apply to a ball-and-cap revolver- they are considered antiques, regardless of age. Does apply to cartridge arms.
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  • GarthGarth Member Posts: 381 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    hypothetically speaking, remove the 14' barrel a.s.a.p. and destroy it! you would do well to purchase a barrel or barrel blank provided it is at least 16' long! midwayusa is an excellent source of barrels and IMO inexpensive! www.midwayusa.com best!
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  • Jim the PA HunterJim the PA Hunter Member Posts: 87 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey guys..... what if he added a muzzel brake to it which would add more than 2" to the total length. Would the muzzel brake be considered when measuring for ATF regulated Specs?
    Just a thought.....[:D] hypothetically speaking[:)]
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  • NwcidNwcid Member Posts: 10,674 ✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jim the PA Hunter
    Hey guys..... what if he added a muzzel brake to it which would add more than 2" to the total length. Would the muzzel brake be considered when measuring for ATF regulated Specs?
    Just a thought.....[:D]


    Yes, BUT all the pieces would have to be perminatly attached per ATF rules. Just by screwing something longer on the end of a bbl does NOT make it legal.
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  • leeblackmanleeblackman Member Posts: 5,303 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Call the national ATF office, they will tell you how to fill out the proper paper work and how to get around any issues such as sheriff's refusing to sign forms and what not. They helped me out alot, and are really nice believe it or not.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Welding the muzzle brake on should make all ok; but it still is an interesting question. How about a 1911 or 08 Luger or 96 Mauser broomhandle with the shoulder stock, and standard barrel (i.e. pistol barrel)....short barreled rifle or pistol?
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