AR pistols and forward grippage

[earthquake]

Still considering a short (<10") AR pistol and in perusing hundreds of pictures of setups on IG, I'm confused about what is legal and what is not, in regards to a front or forward grip or hand stop.

I've seen everything from full Magpul RVG's to ones that look like it was just cut in half, to tiny little nub do-dads. If I get one, I don't want to run afoul of the law.

Is there a resource for knowing whats-what? Also, brace rules would help too. I've seen a ton of these as well. Legal to shoulder all....some....none? Where do I look? TIA!

 

[Aaros143]

Just my suggestion. File a form 1 and just make it an SBR.

 

[fxdwgkd]

Here is a write up that does a pretty good job of spelling it out. Just built one and it is a fun little gun to shoot.

https://www.itstactical.com/warcom/firearms/considering-building-ar-pistol-heres-411/

 

[EDELWEISS]

SBRs are cool but they add unnecessary hassles with travel and then theres the wait for approval thing. Why put yourself through the NFA deal when there are so many good/great braces?

Assuming youre going the pistol route, then "pistols" cant have more than one vertical grips. However you could choose to build a "firearm" (a AR pistol with an OAL length exceeding 26"). "Firearms" (think the Rem Tac 14) may have more than one vertical grips.

Of course the other option is to use an "angled grip". For example BCM makes an angled grip that looks / works like a regular grip BUT it has the advantage of being described and marketed as an angled grip (an important legal distinction), just as armbraces are not stocks but can be shouldered without them being stocks.

Just a thought

Best

 

[FALex]

I was also thinking about this issue recently. Curious what that Ryker FIST grip counts as? Does it fall under the definition of a vertical grip?

 

[Pacey102602]

Angled foregrip if the total OAL is under 26". Heres what I did, but mind you I live in Michigan. 10.5" barrel with a Thordson enhanced buffer tube. Length is 26 3/4" from end of tube to end of barrel not counting muzzle device. "Firearm" is legally sporting a vertical foregrip because in Michigan, a pistol is under 26". As long as I keep the foregrip attached, its consider a "firearm" not a rifle and not a pistol. If I remove the foregrip or install a true rifle stock, it would be an SBR with stamp implications. Sure I could just file for the stamp but for me, it's just a range gun so carrying it concealed or loaded on my person or in my vehicle and across state lines like you can with a pistol doesn't suite my needs. I have actual pistols for that role. With the Thordson rest, it is super comfortable to shoot and even with my 1/3 co-witness optic riser, I still have proper eye sight down the optic. In full disclosure I will say, during drills with this "firearm," I always revert to a handgaurd grip using the foregrip as more of a referencing point for my weak hand. Holding the vertical foregrip as intended has never felt in my opinion comfortable. If I could just register the lower as a pistol now, I'd just opt for an angled foregrip after attaching a more common pistol brace getting the length under 26". My advice especially if you live in a state that doesn't require pistol registration is to just build a pistol with an angled foregrip. For what it's worth, I'm clearly against firearm registries and excise tax. The government doesn't need to know what I own let alone charge me a special fee to own said weapon. Just my two cents.

 

[EDELWEISS]

Guys its really pretty simple, If over 26" then its a Firearm (not a pistol think Remington Tac 14)….but how the 26" is measured is a bit tricky. RIFLES are measured with the STOCK opened and extended to maximum length. Since "pistols" and "others" don't have stocks, the measurement is from the brace in its NON-extended position. The question becomes when braces like the Shockwave Blade are "locked" (by the set screw) in the extended position (beyond the length of the buffer tube). When "fixed" even temporally locked (as in needing a tool to adjust it) then length is from that position. The front end is much the same, if a tool is needed to remove the muzzle device, then the measurement is from THAT point as well. NOTE that this is not the same as measuring for a SBR nor does it include local laws

 

[EDELWEISS]

BCM makes one that's not 90 degrees and technically not a VFG by ATF definition.

Exactly

 

[longshot2000]

I like to keep it simple, and stay out of trouble.

Also, Form 1 e-filed are taking under 60 days.

 

[Lawless]

Guys its really pretty simple, If over 26" then its a Firearm (not a pistol think Remington Tac 14)….but how the 26" is measured is a bit tricky. RIFLES are measured with the STOCK opened and extended to maximum length. Since "pistols" and "others" don't have stocks, the measurement is from the brace in its NON-extended position. The question becomes when braces like the Shockwave Blade are "locked" (by the set screw) in the extended position (beyond the length of the buffer tube). When "fixed" even temporally locked (as in needing a tool to adjust it) then length is from that position. The front end is much the same, if a tool is needed to remove the muzzle device, then the measurement is from THAT point as well. NOTE that this is not the same as measuring for a SBR nor does it include local laws

The length for a pistol is by state isn’t it?