Interestd in AR platform

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webseo514

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Well the title sums it up. I've read a ton of posts here and researched other sites for information. I have some questions that haven't been answered fully and/or directly in other places.

1) It's a modular platform.
This appeals to me as I "assume" I can mix and match components. I love the concept of changing calibers, accessories etc. Are there any rules of thumb so to speak? By that I mean matching a lower/upper? What to avoid if I'd want to swap into a different caliber? Certain brands/models that work well together or which should be avoided?


2) From what I understand the lower is what is registered. What are the ramifications of purchasing just a lower? I like the idea of buying piecemeal but how doth one register a hunk of aluminum when I cannot state caliber, barrel length etc? What if I get a kit to convert to a different caliber? How does that affect ATT, reg certificate etc?


In the end, unless I've completely misunderstood what is possible, I'd like to have a short barrel version with dot sight, long barrel version with scope and .22 kit for plinking. Have I completely misunderstood what the capabilities are?

Thanks :D
 
Any lower already in Canada is theoretically already registered. I wouldn't worry about that part. The only problems you'll see with mix-matching is with collapsible stocks (commercial and milspec) and the old CQ311 Norinco rifles that use metric threads on everything. Otherwise, you'll be hard pressed to run into an oops.

Yep, you can buy one lower and as many uppers as you want in whatever configuration you want.
 
As for 2, the "firearm" gets registered as a "Frame/Receiver". Then when you complete the rifle you notify the CFC about it and they issue a new registration certificate with the caliber and barrel length and whatnot. The issue is a bit less clear since it separates so easy, like for me since I store and transport the rifle with the upper and lower separated. It would be pointless to call in and get a new registration slip every time I put the rifle together at the range and take it apart.

Right now I'm building an AR, i've just got the lower receiver, an Aimpoint Pro red dot sight, some iron sights, a lower parts kit, and a grip. Don't have the buffer/tube, or a stock, or any of the other parts yet.

It is certainly possible to have one lower receiver and multiple upper receivers, it's what many people do. No point buying a second lower receiver and stock if you can just swap the upper. It honestly takes maybe 30 seconds on a slow day. Hardly any time at all.
 
Thanks for the replies. My apologies if they make me have more questions. Then again this is a forum, eh?

Any lower already in Canada is theoretically already registered
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This is a big grey area for me (being in Quebec doesn't help). The AR is restricted by name or does it depend on what you build? The long range I'd like to have with a 22" barrel for example... I assume it's the lower that is deemed restricted and that is gets registered regardless of the configuration?

Then when you complete the rifle you notify the CFC about it and they issue a new registration certificate with the caliber and barrel length and whatnot.
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Interesting. So I figure best to transport either in the configuration/caliber you have the reg certificate / ATT in or at least be able to "assemble it to match" at the range if need be?

I'm as daunted as I am excited to get this project started.
 
webseo514 said:
Thanks for the replies. My apologies if they make me have more questions. Then again this is a forum, eh?


This is a big grey area for me (being in Quebec doesn't help). The AR is restricted by name or does it depend on what you build? The long range I'd like to have with a 22" barrel for example... I assume it's the lower that is deemed restricted and that is gets registered regardless of the configuration?


Interesting. So I figure best to transport either in the configuration/caliber you have the reg certificate / ATT in or at least be able to "assemble it to match" at the range if need be?

I'm as daunted as I am excited to get this project started.
Click to expand...
The AR15 is restricted by name. Having an 18.5" or longer barrel means nothing to the government, it's still restricted.

You have 30 days to re-register a firearm that has had its barrel length changed. Basically, unless you don't have any uppers at all in your posession of the length matching your registered lower's firearm certificate paperwork, then you should re-register. Otherwise, don't worry about it. The chances of getting charged are negligible unless the police are fishing for something else on you.
 
i always wondered about this too. most people have different uppers on one single lower. so what call in everytime you swap uppers? maybe i feel like shooting out of different uppers in one day? jeez these laws are confusing
 
Thanks for all the feedback thus far :D

So I guess at this point I'll start shopping for a lower. Or a lower/upper that match. Feel like a kid with X-Mass approaching and wish I'd looked into this years ago.

What can I feed it? I'd like to give it a healthy but affordable diet.
 
Feed it whatever you want, but know that steel ammo is frequently viewed as being hard on the rifle. Some claim it's hard on the throat, others claim the lacquer on the casing gums up the chamber, and recently there have been reports that the wash on the bullet wears the barrel down faster. There'll be plenty of people chirp in saying "BS", but if it were my rifle, I'd only shoot it sparingly.
webseo514 said:
Thanks for all the feedback thus far :D

So I guess at this point I'll start shopping for a lower. Or a lower/upper that match. Feel like a kid with X-Mass approaching and wish I'd looked into this years ago.

What can I feed it? I'd like to give it a healthy but affordable diet.
Click to expand...
 
Also, some ranges will not allow steel ammo at all regardless of steel core or steel case.
But, an ammo can of American Eagle/Federal will do you good for some cheap shooting, then if you get interested in reloading for accuracy you can reuse the spent cases. Or give/sell them to a reloader.

There are almost countless possible options for an AR, and more coming every year it seems. However, the market has exploded in the last few months. The Americans are buying everything they can get their hands on, some manufacturers are backordered for the next two or three years. So, if you see something you like buy it now as it's probably not going to get cheaper for a year and a half or more.
 
I'd planned going lead/brass and collecting for reloading later on.

Took a look around and it seems lowers etc are on backorder. May have to spring for a pre-built rig at this rate. Oh woe is me :-/

Edited to update:

Found a NEA and another brand stripped lowers apparently in stock.

And I will echo what I saw in another thread about some on-line stores begging for a reworking. Especially being in the business of web development and marketing... my eyes are bleeding looking at some of these sites.
 
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cancer said:
The AR15 is restricted by name. Having an 18.5" or longer barrel means nothing to the government, it's still restricted.

You have 30 days to re-register a firearm that has had its barrel length changed. Basically, unless you don't have any uppers at all in your posession of the length matching your registered lower's firearm certificate paperwork, then you should re-register. Otherwise, don't worry about it. The chances of getting charged are negligible unless the police are fishing for something else on you.
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Kind of.

It actually says if it changes class, which you cant do to and AR as its already restricted by name. You can put any length barrel you want on it and you don't have to tell anyone.

4. (1) Subject to section 5, the Registrar shall attach to a registration certificate that is issued in respect of a firearm the condition that the holder of the certificate shall advise the Registrar, within 30 days after the modification, of

(a) any modification to the firearm that results in a change of class of the firearm;
(b) in the case of a firearm registered as a frame or receiver only, any modification that makes it capable of discharging ammunition;
(c) any modification to an altered automatic firearm; and
(d) any modification that results in the firearm ceasing to be a firearm.

(2) Subject to section 5, the Registrar shall attach to a registration certificate that is issued in respect of a firearm the condition that when the type, action, calibre or gauge of the firearm is modified, the holder of the certificate shall advise the Registrar of the modification,

(a) if the modification is intended to be permanent, within 30 days after the modification; and
(b) if the modification is not intended to be permanent but still exists 30 days after it is made, without delay after that period.
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http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-201/page-3.html#docCont

So you are under no obligation to report anything unless you put an upper on a frame only gun, change the caliber permanently or leave a new caliber upper on for greater than 30 days. Which for the AR means never unless you no longer have an upper in the original caliber you registered it as or you have a frame only gun.

Shawn
 
shawn said:
Kind of.

It actually says if it changes class, which you cant do to and AR as its already restricted by name. You can put any length barrel you want on it and you don't have to tell anyone.



http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-98-201/page-3.html#docCont

So you are under no obligation to report anything unless you put an upper on a frame only gun, change the caliber permanently or leave a new caliber upper on for greater than 30 days. Which for the AR means never unless you no longer have an upper in the original caliber you registered it as or you have a frame only gun.

Shawn
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Thanks for the clarification!
 
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