The difference is the stock or lack thereof. Pretty stupid isn't it? But the ATF defines an SBR as having a barrel less than 16 inches and having a stock (paraphrased). A pistol is the exact same thing except it doesn't have a stock. It can have a Sig Brace or a Shockwave Blade but you can't shoulder it or build it with the intention of shouldering it. All of my SBR's were initially pistols. That way I could make sure everything worked perfectly and as soon as the stamp came in I installed the new buffer tube and stock.
Dan
(This is not legal advice to you or anyone else who might be reading, but rather observations concerning the law and BATFE past practice.)So basically if I built a pistol, and put a Shockwave Blade on its not illegal. As soon as I put it on my shoulder.....illegal?
SBR vs AR Pistol...Whats the difference?
Cant put a vertical foregrip on a pistol, but you can on an SBR. But an angled foregrip is ok.
Makes sense, right?
(This is not legal advice to you or anyone else who might be reading, but rather observations concerning the law and BATFE past practice.)
Probably not. Shouldering is not the problem. You can probably shoulder a bare pistol buffer tube.
Adding a stock or the equivalent of a stock is the problem.
Whether the Shockwave blade (or other products) is the equivalent of a stock was an issue until the BATFE decided the Sig brace was not a stock, then decided it might be.
That's part of why I opted for a $200 insurance policy.
Cant put a vertical foregrip on a pistol, but you can on an SBR. But an angled foregrip is ok.
Makes sense, right?
Sorta. It makes your short barreled rifle legal.Yea that makes sense, so basically paying the $200 is insurance that your pistol cant be labeled as illegal down the road?
Sorta. It makes your short barreled rifle legal.
I mean, we're kinda saying the same thing here. If you like a short-barreled AR without a stock - really a pistol - don't put the Sig/Shockwave thing on the end and you'll be fine without the stamp. I think that configuration will be "safe" for the foreseeable future.
For me, those things seem like a compromise down from a "real" stock, which is where my preference lies. So, it was worth it for me to go all in. Plus, then there's the foregrip thing and who knows what other addons will come down the pike that may be disfavored.
So basically if I built a pistol, and put a Shockwave Blade on its not illegal. As soon as I put it on my shoulder.....illegal?
Unless something has changed recently - if your pistol has an overall length 26" or greater then you can use a vertical foregrip.
https://johnpierceesq.com/can-you-add-a-vertical-fore-grip-to-an-ar-pistol/
More crazy nonesense from the BATF.