Registering an AR as a pistol vs a rifle

jacotsmith

jacotsmith

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Hi everyone,

Thought I'd try posting this here first as I'm sure a few of you folks know the answer.

I realize asking about clarification within Canadian firearms classification is like asking to punch smoke, but here goes anyway:

What is involved in registering an AR as a pistol? What are the pros and cons?

I just picked up a 7.5" and was surprised to learn it was registered as a rifle, I assumed it would have been a pistol. Any rhyme or reason to this?

Thanks for looking!
 
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It probably depends on how the thing was registered when it entered the system.
There are ones registered as handguns.
Don't know if the registration can be amended once it is in the system.
Might make a difference if 10 rounds in a pistol, 5 rounds in a rifle kicks in.
As far as I know, an AR can be configured any way the owner chooses.
 
A few years back I bought a couple of NEA stripped lowers that were registered as Pistols. today I have a pistol with 7.5" barrel in 300 Blackout and a pistol with 7.5" barrel in 5.56....how many rds. per mag pistol versus rifle limit ....hmmmmm
 
tiriaq said:
It probably depends on how the thing was registered when it entered the system.
There are ones registered as handguns.
Don't know if the registration can be amended once it is in the system.
Might make a difference if 10 rounds in a pistol, 5 rounds in a rifle kicks in.
As far as I know, an AR can be configured any way the owner chooses.
Click to expand...

Once a handgun always a handgun.

Can turn a rifle to a handgun. Then add a stock to it and still be registered as a handgun.

Can't register a handgun as a rifle. Or change a handgun registration to rifle.
 
Ya, with the current government and the rumor mill in full swing, having a 223 pistol in the safe has its merits. Would a 7.5" with a CCS stock qualify for pistol status?
 
Something to keep in mind with the crazy prohib laws:

If you have your 12(6) you can take your prohib pistol to the range and shoot it.

But, even if you do have your 12(3) and your 12(5) you CANNOT take your prohib rifle to the range and shoot it.

Makes sense to have at least 1 AR lower registered as a pistol, so if they prohibit the AR platform, your "pistol" will still be good to go to the range and shoot, but not so for any AR rifle...
 
fenceline said:
Once a handgun always a handgun.
Can turn a rifle to a handgun. Then add a stock to it and still be registered as a handgun.
Can't register a handgun as a rifle. Or change a handgun registration to rifle.
Click to expand...

ht tp://www.zahal.org/products/fab-defense-kpos-generation-2-jericho-jr1?path_parent=218389
"US citizens : If you own a handgun, and you are about to buy this product, your handgun will become a Short-Barreled Rifle .
You must register your weapon with ATF"
 
fenceline said:
Once a handgun always a handgun.

Can turn a rifle to a handgun. Then add a stock to it and still be registered as a handgun.

Can't register a handgun as a rifle. Or change a handgun registration to rifle.
Click to expand...

oh...
well then if the new law comes in I guess we will all register our AR rifles as AR pistols then, there you go we are back to 10 rounds

I have a couple registered as receiver only, time to put those babies as pistols.
 
SLToronto said:
ht tp://www.zahal.org/products/fab-defense-kpos-generation-2-jericho-jr1?path_parent=218389
"US citizens : If you own a handgun, and you are about to buy this product, your handgun will become a Short-Barreled Rifle .
You must register your weapon with ATF"
Click to expand...

We are not in the USA
 
canmic said:
Something to keep in mind with the crazy prohib laws:

If you have your 12(6) you can take your prohib pistol to the range and shoot it.

But, even if you do have your 12(3) and your 12(5) you CANNOT take your prohib rifle to the range and shoot it.

Makes sense to have at least 1 AR lower registered as a pistol, so if they prohibit the AR platform, your "pistol" will still be good to go to the range and shoot, but not so for any AR rifle...
Click to expand...

An AR pistol and an AR rifle are still both of the AR platform. And prohib pistols you can take to the range are prohib by length not by name.
 
SLToronto said:
"Thanks for pointing this out, Captaln Obvious"

Care to describe what would happen in Canada? Is it even possible to bring this product here? Of course, without "full auto conversions" ...
Click to expand...

In Canada, there is no such thing as a short barrelled rifle.

I am not sure about that specific product but there ARE carbine kits for handguns available and they don't change anything at all, the registered handgun stays a registered handgun and the CFC don't care if you put it in a carbine conversion thingy.

Of course, yes, the full auto options are illegal here and not available here.
 
SLToronto said:
"Thanks for pointing this out, Captaln Obvious"

Care to describe what would happen in Canada? Is it even possible to bring this product here? Of course, without "full auto conversions" ...
Click to expand...

Absolutely nothing would happen. Nobody anywhere would care. We have no laws against adding any accessories to firearms, provided they don't alter the classification of the firearm or attempt the make the firearm "full-auto". Grips, stocks and all manners of random crap can be added to any firearm without any issue.
 
Unless I am mistaken, all AR mags would then be declared "dual use" (both pistol and rifle) and therefore limited to 5 rounds across the board. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around what would happen with Glock pistol mags used in a Kriss Vector long-gun. Presumably the same fate - at least for any Glock mags that actually touch a Vector. Those would also have to be limited to 5 rounds.., would they not?

I can see this new "5 is 5 and 10 is 10" law being a real pain in the arse (not to mention a head-scratcher). It is liable to create more questions than answers....
 
mikethebike said:
oh...
well then if the new law comes in I guess we will all register our AR rifles as AR pistols then, there you go we are back to 10 rounds

I have a couple registered as receiver only, time to put those babies as pistols.
Click to expand...

Two words...

Dual use.

Only reason they haven't come for AR mags is they used them as an example on their previous bulletins.

Since then the RCMP changed their mind/opinion. And the AR example isn't on the current bulletin.

All other handgun/rifle formats that share the same receiver have been labelled dual use.
 
fenceline said:
Two words...

Dual use.

Only reason they haven't come for AR mags is they used them as an example on their previous bulletins.

Since then the RCMP changed their mind/opinion. And the AR example isn't on the current bulletin.

All other handgun/rifle formats that share the same receiver have been labelled dual use.
Click to expand...

It was Bill Etter, senior technologist, who issued the ruling that it was OK to use the LAR pistol magazines in rifles. It was not a popular interpretation in the office at the time, even though it was based on the letter of the law. Mr. Etter has retired. Makes it easier to change the interpretation. Have to wait and see.
 
fenceline said:
Once a handgun always a handgun.

Can turn a rifle to a handgun. Then add a stock to it and still be registered as a handgun.

Can't register a handgun as a rifle. Or change a handgun registration to rifle.
Click to expand...

You're right. XP100s and Thompson Centers come to mind.
 
tiriaq said:
It was Bill Etter, senior technologist, who issued the ruling that it was OK to use the LAR pistol magazines in rifles. It was not a popular interpretation in the office at the time, even though it was based on the letter of the law. Mr. Etter has retired. Makes it easier to change the interpretation. Have to wait and see.
Click to expand...

Wait and see for what?
 
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