Is an M-1 carbine considered a long gun rifle?

FHPtrooper

Was talking with an FFL dealer and he said a mauser k-98 and an ak-47 would be okay for an 18 year old to own..but a thompson might not be because he wasnt sure if it was considered a long gun rifle...any insight?? Thx

kingjoey

A weapon made with a stock is a long arm, if it was made only with a pistol grip, then it is a pistol. Pretty basic. 18 yrs old for long arms, 21 yrs old for pistols. Might have trouble buying ammo, being that the Thompson uses 45ACP which is usually used in handguns. Probably won't have an issue with it, but some clerks....

FHPtrooper

ohhh alirght thanks...so machine pistols or submachine guns would be considered pistols? Even though the thompson had a stock on it durring WWII?

kingjoey

I think you have to be 21 to purchase a Class III weapon. Gun regs on this matter are subject to how that specific gun was manufactured. A semi-auto 16" barreled HK94 could be purchased by an 18yr old (who would have to have more money than I did at 18) but a SP89 which is the same platform (more or less) but built in pistol configuration would be available only to the 21+ crowd. Same with fixed stock Uzi carbines vs pistols. The Thompson was built in pistol and carbine configs from the factory. Putting a stock on one that came from the factory in "pistol" configuration would still be a "pistol" by legal definition. Ask Mark Christian about it, he'd have the legal technicalities for you. HTH

Laredo Lefty

Machine pistols, and submachine guns fall into a separate class which is a class 3 weapon. Special federal licensing is required for these.

A good rule of thumb, if it has a shoulder stock and a barrel 16" or longer it is classified as a rifle. If your Thompson is full automatic, then it is a machine gun, if not then it is an assault rifle as it has a pistol grip and uses detachable magazines, at least here in Cal.
Your original question mentioned M-1 carbine, whats up?

v35

By M-1 Carbine do you mean the M-1A1 version of the 45 cal Thompson or the 30 cal, US Carbine? Are you talking about class 3 fully automatic
weapons or semiautomatic weapons?

FHPtrooper

Single shot rifle that had a 10 round magazine that went into the bottom of it..i think it was 10 rounds?

king999

The M-1 CARBINE is a semi-automatic RIFLE (although the cartridge is actually in the class of a powerful pistol) that was made originally in WW II. Although there are all sorts of after-market magazines available, the GI mags are either 15 or 30 rd capacity. The 30's were actually made for the M-2 carbine (select fire version) but will work just fine in the M-1, if legal in your area.
Have fun, be careful!
Morty

Sunray

Yes, an M-1 Carbine, not the M1A1 Thompson smg, is a rifle. It'd be best to check your State's regs though.

select-fire

Since in your statement you were talking to an FFL dealer who didn't know? Find yourself another gun dealer.

TED GAR

Yes the M1 carbine is a long gun. Unless it is the enforcer model, which has a 10 inch barrel..Even the M1 Paratrooper with the retractable stock is a long gun because the barrel is 16 inches long. The m1 carbine is not considered a pistol cartridge, many pistols were chambered for it..as many are chambered for 45-70, this does not make them pitol calibers. And as far as children go, any long gun can be used by a minor as long as they are accompanied by and adult, or have completed the the
HIPS program for hunting. The only problem, will be with the purchase of ammo. Any ammunition which can be used in a pistol, is prohibited for sale, to a minor under 21 years of age. Such as the 45acp, and the 22rimfire.