AR-15 BS Thread

I wouldn't say a nightmare... just a lot of BS to wade through. But once you get it figured out, it's not bad at all.
Also, its not as simple as just forking out the money for an SBR. There's forms to fill out (or pay someone to fill them out for you), fingerprints to have done (Sheriffs office is the only place in my town that will do them, they require an appointment), and passport photos to have taken. If you go through Silencershop they make the process much easier and only charge you $35 for the service. If you're near one of their Kiosks it's a breeze. Unfortunately they're working out some bugs in the system right now so it is not currently available.

I have 10'ish AR pistols, and 3 AR SBR's. There's definitely a role for both.

 

E Form 1 is back online. You can submit one in 15 minutes. Pre shutdown approvals were taking 2 weeks. You can print yourself. CVS and wallgreens do passport photos for $12.

 

Just pointing out that it's not as simple as paying someone $200. There's hoops to jump through, and often complications. I've got 12 Tax stamps, I've been through it a couple times.

 

I should just SBR to be safe and then I could get any MP5 stock and VFG. I read that for AR's you measure to the end of the buffer tube because it's the rear most part that is required to function. I'm wondering, on my MP5 if I remove the brace the lower falls off and the bolt falls out the back, so it's a required part to function. LOL

There is a lot of contradicting information out there.

 

And today's "opinion" on how to measure or what to measure may change tomorrow. Case in point, the bump stock. It was ok until it wasn't ok.

 

Have a source showing its now measure with a collapsed brace? Since all Im seeing is still the ATF's method of measuring which is muzzle (excluding removable muzzle devices) to the rear most portion as was called out by their Tech Branch (and has been how many brace manufcatures have measured and submitted ot the ATF).....granted that was like 2 years ago for the last one I cared to look at. This doesnt include the folding braces which I know are under some weirdness last i heard. ATF wanting to measure them folded.

Just like having sources for future use when learning of rule changes

 

Just another grey area that is likely never to have a clear answer for...
I would argue though, that you could easily replace the brace with an "end plate" that would hold the bolt in place. I'm only assuming this, I don't have an MP5 but there are plenty that are sold without a brace at all.

Exactly... the problem is that a lot of these rules are just "opinions" or opinion letters, that can be changed at any given point. The whole thing is a mess. The NFA is such a flawed entity its ridiculous.

I'll have to google around for it tonight. I'm at work at the moment, work computers really limit what I can get in to.
I was shown the information a while back, can't remember if it was within an opinion letter or within the actual definition written by the ATF. I believe it came to light after the ATF "busted" a gun shop for "illegal AOW's" because they were putting vert grips on CZ Scorpions that measured over 26" when the brace was extended but when folded was under 26". I think at that point an opinion letter came out detailing how to correctly measure a "pistol".
Google "ATF measuring pistols folded" or "ATF measure AR pistol". You should be able to find it, I'll look around tonight.

 

I wouldn't say it's flawed....rather it just needs to be updated to today's technology. Things were a ton simplier when it was written. It's just never been updated and instead just had to many opinion letters being issued.

Though I do think the whole thing should be abolished

That was an instance for side folding braces specifically and not for traditional m4 style ones. Also it was directed at specific guns a gun shop sold which had the side folding braces and a vertical foregrip. Atf ruled to measure with the brace folded which meant it was under 26" and an AOW not a "firearm". Think it had issue with CT laws too?

But like anything it's the ATF so your guess is as good as mine

 

Abolished would be fantastic haha.

I agree that that instance was specific to side folding braces on a specific firearm, but I believe in that letter they also expanded to include the expectation for measuring AR type pistols as well, or at least you could easily ascertain it from the language used in the letter.

So much of what the ATF says can be interpreted in multiple ways... hence the many grey areas. I supposed I'd rather a "grey area" than a definite no though.
Still going to have to find that letter tonight.

 

The more I look into the Gun Shop in question the more i see they were just foolish. Showing pictures and videos of them removing the straps from their braces. Which is actually specifically called out in the ATF's "shouldering a brace" reversal letter.



As for the "how to measure" thing....this is the ATF letter Im basing things on. Which again excludes side folding braces witht he whole previously mentioned thing (or more thats more gray area). Im only linking to page 3 though but it has the info needed. Note the letter is all about AR pistols.
https://i.imgur.com/iIRM3Zn.jpg

 

I’d give it to you that a really good brace is expensive, but no more than what the Tax Stamp would be and I only paid $75 for mine, that’s as much as a DD stock that I own. VFG are a personal choice, I like an AFG, personaly.

 

Bingo.. I have a registered SBR and a few AR pistols. The SBR is hands down the winner for me. But, I do like the pistols for ease of transport and crossing state lines yada yada.

My fear is someone high up changes their mind on AR pistols and gone they are. Feinstein's proposed ban of 2019 targets AR pistols as well as all the scary black "assault rifles". I know it wont pass but you never know..

 

Everything is up on the chopping block, these days. But I would say the ones that are registered with the ATF, are already on watched listed, as where non registered guns are not. JMO.

 

Remember that the NFA also includes machine guns. A majority of which are owned as "investments" by the super wealthy and the well connected. So I doubt NFA items will be messed with any time soon.

 

Ordered a Vortex Crossfire scope for the AR. What's a decent mount for the price. Seen a few on Amazon anywhere from $20 to nearly $100+ and so on. As long as it holds the scope sturdy through some torture by the look of some of the reviews what's the benefit in $100+ mount for the same objective?

 

How accurate do you wanna be?

 

Ive had great luck with Burris rings. Have a set of the pepr rings that have been awesome

 

Yes. Those are solid rings for the price.
That or the Leupold IMS rings for ARs are good for a decent price and a little less bulky than the burris rings.

 

Exactly. Not all mounts are created equal. I run ADM mounts on all my AR's.

 

I understand that. $100-$150 for a piece of metal that's screwed down in my mind couldn't be too much more than a $40 one as long as the screws aren't going to strip or over tighten when holding and it's not just poorly made. Most of them seem to have good reviews.