Registering AR lower for multiple uppers ?

firlake

firlake

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I thought I'd seen a post discussing this here somewhere before but I guess my search skills suck because I can't find it.

Can someone tell me if there is a way to register my AR lowers so I can swap uppers with different barrel lengths. . Right now both my AR's are registered with barrel lengths listed on the registration paper. One is a 14.5" (368mm) and the other is a 16" (406mm). I built another upper with a 16" barrel and would like to be able to transport it with either lower.

How is it registered if you buy only a lower on it's own. :confused:
 
The only time you need to register an AR with a cal. Barrel length etc is if the upper is on the lower for more than 30 days. Myself, I can't remember which of my 16 or 17 ar lowers belong to which upper any more anyway so its a moot point. If I get asked I'll just ask the asker, "Is this one supposed to have a barrel on it?"

Scott
 
m39a2 said:
The only time you need to register an AR with a cal. Barrel length etc is if the upper is on the lower for more than 30 days. Myself, I can't remember which of my 16 or 17 ar lowers belong to which upper any more anyway so its a moot point. If I get asked I'll just ask the asker, "Is this one supposed to have a barrel on it?"

Scott
Click to expand...

"Firearms owners must report to the Registrar of Firearms, within 30 days:
- Any modification to a firearm that affects its classification (non-restricted, restricted, prohibited)
- Any modification that results in the firearm ceasing to be a firearm
- Any change to a frame or receiver that allows it to discharge ammunition
- Any modification to the type, action, calibre or gauge of the firearm; and
- Any alteration to an altered automatic firearm."

It isn't "if the gun is altered longer than 30 days". It is "once altered, you have 30 days to report the change". Every alteration mentioned above, by the rules, is required to be reported within 30 days of the alteration being made.

That being said, barrel length is not an alteration that is listed as something that needs to be reported, as with an AR15 it won't change the classification. As long as it is in the same calibre, you can swap uppers all day long.

For those that figure "frame only" registration is ok to swap upper, look at the third point again and decide how you will be view vs compliance with the law.

The question is, where in the 30 days are you? And how can it be proved that you are at day 31 of the modification?

You have to register it within 30 days of a change. Technically every change needs to be registered. Who does this I don't know.
 
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fenceline said:
"Firearms owners must report to the Registrar of Firearms, within 30 days:
- Any modification to a firearm that affects its classification (non-restricted, restricted, prohibited)
- Any modification that results in the firearm ceasing to be a firearm
- Any change to a frame or receiver that allows it to discharge ammunition
- Any modification to the type, action, calibre or gauge of the firearm; and
- Any alteration to an altered automatic firearm."

It isn't "if the gun is altered longer than 30 days". It is "once altered, you have 30 days to report the change". Every alteration mentioned above, by the rules, is required to be reported.

That being said, barrel length is not an alteration that is listed as something that needs to be reported, as with an AR15 it won't change the classification. As long as it is in the same calibre, you can swap uppers all day long.

For those that figure "frame only" registration is ok to swap upper, look at the third point again and decide how you will be view vs compliance with the law.

The question is, where in the 30 days are you?

No, you have to register it within 30 days of a change. Technically every change needs to be registered. Who does this I don't know.
Click to expand...

Over a year ago I purchased a used lower to put a 22 cal. belt fed upper on. When the seller did the transfer he stated it was a lower only and that is how the registration came. So not wanting to be a criminal I called to change the reg. After explaining the lady transferred me to the often heard of LAB explained to the officer what I had and he took my information and promised to get back to me. now I take a lower and an upper separate but in the same case for a ride too the range occasionally, I won't say what happens there lol, still waiting for the call back though.
 
cdm123 said:
Over a year ago I purchased a used lower to put a 22 cal. belt fed upper on. When the seller did the transfer he stated it was a lower only and that is how the registration came. So not wanting to be a criminal I called to change the reg. After explaining the lady transferred me to the often heard of LAB explained to the officer what I had and he took my information and promised to get back to me. now I take a lower and an upper separate but in the same case for a ride too the range occasionally, I won't say what happens there lol, still waiting for the call back though.
Click to expand...

What did belt fed have to do with anything noted in the requirements for you to tell them?

"I'd like to register the receiver in calibre 22LR". They may have asked the barrel length.

That is all you were required to say. That is all that you were required to report. Plenty of 22LR AR15s registered without issue.
 
Ok so it sounds like frame only is not an option as adding any upper to it would be "- Any change to a frame or receiver that allows it to discharge ammunition".

It sounds like swapping uppers no matter the barrel length does not constitute a change according to the list below.

"Firearms owners must report to the Registrar of Firearms, within 30 days:
- Any modification to a firearm that affects its classification (non-restricted, restricted, prohibited)
- Any modification that results in the firearm ceasing to be a firearm
- Any change to a frame or receiver that allows it to discharge ammunition
- Any modification to the type, action, calibre or gauge of the firearm; and
- Any alteration to an altered automatic firearm."

Fenceline what do you use for registration, not worry about barrel lengths?
 
I register lowers by calibre. As a practice if I have two uppers of the same calibre I don't worry about the barrel length but they will ask for one when you change the lower from a frame only to a barreled firearm.

Seperate lowers for each calibre essentially. Barrel length won't change the classification so I don't have to report the change. Calibre I would.
 
I have more uppers than lowers in .223/5.56. No one cares. The lowers are registered and the uppers get moved around depending on which match/hunting trip/range outing I'm doing. The uppers are in different barrel lengths (some are sporting different length barrels than what I bought them in)

I've bought lowers as stripped and registered them then informed the authorities once I had the LPK installed and made it able to accept (and fire) an upper. They just changed the suffix on the cert from ".0001" to ".0002". I've also bought complete ARs and promptly started swapping uppers/lowers around.
 
The cert. suffix just indicates the number of times it has been issued or revised. If you call and ask for new copies of all your certificates, all the suffix numbers will increase by one.

It's not necessarily related to the data tied to the certificate number.
 
Melnibonean said:
I have more uppers than lowers in .223/5.56. No one cares. The lowers are registered and the uppers get moved around depending on which match/hunting trip/range outing I'm doing. The uppers are in different barrel lengths (some are sporting different length barrels than what I bought them in)

I've bought lowers as stripped and registered them then informed the authorities once I had the LPK installed and made it able to accept (and fire) an upper. They just changed the suffix on the cert from ".0001" to ".0002". I've also bought complete ARs and promptly started swapping uppers/lowers around.
Click to expand...

Hunting? AR15???
 
Melnibonean said:
I have more uppers than lowers in .223/5.56. No one cares. The lowers are registered and the uppers get moved around depending on which match/hunting trip/range outing I'm doing. The uppers are in different barrel lengths (some are sporting different length barrels than what I bought them in)

I've bought lowers as stripped and registered them then informed the authorities once I had the LPK installed and made it able to accept (and fire) an upper. They just changed the suffix on the cert from ".0001" to ".0002". I've also bought complete ARs and promptly started swapping uppers/lowers around.
Click to expand...

someone will eventually seriously care if you hunt with an AR15 in Canada...
 
fenceline said:
What did belt fed have to do with anything noted in the requirements for you to tell them?

"I'd like to register the receiver in calibre 22LR". They may have asked the barrel length.

That is all you were required to say. That is all that you were required to report. Plenty of 22LR AR15s registered without issue.
Click to expand...

He asked capacity, maybe he heard the smile when I said 300 Laugh2
 
Years ago when I put my AR together I contacted the CFO office they explained to me register the complete rifle with the shortest barrel and you are good to go.

In the previous threads on this topic, where the CFO was contacted, It was clarified that the 30 day period doesn't mean you keep your AR registered as " lower only" and just swap out your upper to your hearts desires, you have within 30 days to have your registration changed before you can take your AR out of the house. if you do get caught with the wrong type of registration for your AR, the police will go by the letters on the license he or she is not going to let it go if you claimed you have 30 days.
 
I just ordered a billet upper/lower set from IRG. Will I have to notify the CFO office when I put a barrel on it? Upper I believe comes listed and marked for .223/5.56, so would they reg it for me as just a frame only? Or frame and upper for .223 but no barrel lenth?
 
all ar 15s are restricted, doesnt matter the upper on it. Serial numbers are on the lower, register to whatever you want and take out whatever upper you want that day, makes no difference.
 
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