Bolt Action Pistol Build

[bobcat1506]

This is more of a legal question than anything else. I have been wondering if it is legal to assemble a bolt action pistol using a bolt action receiver, a MDT LSS chassis, and a 16.5 inch barrel. My guess is that there may be some challenge because the action was originally sold as a "rifle".

 

[Ggmac]

No rifle can be made into a pistol , but is yours going to be a pistol ? It's going to have a 16.5 in barrel ? It must have a min over all length , but off hand I can't remember how long that is . There use to be a few no butt stocked rifles with 16"+ barrels marketed as wrist rifles . They didn't last long , either way I think getting in such a gray area is asking for agrivation . It would require a letter from ATFE carried to educate or prove to the LEO that's uninformed .
Better safe than sorry , you could always get a sbr tax stamp
The Brits use to have a bolt pistol on a mauser called the Shield , awesome 308 pistol

 

[tmwinds]

A rifle must have a minimum barrel length of 16 inches and a minimum over all length of 26 inches. Otherwise it is defined by the ATFE as a short barrel rifle and will require a $200 tax stamp.

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Rifle to pistol can be legal. Barrel needs to be 16 inches +.. Overall length needs to be 23?? the exact length escapes me now.But if the two lengths are met it was legal back in the last century.
This was before rule by excutive decree became popular.

 

[Ggmac]

Tmwinds is correct its 26" over all length . They may have regulations concerning pistol grips in some states , counties if no butt stock is equipped .

 

[Ggmac]

Remember most LEOs don't know fed law , it can get sticky very fast . Some don't even know how to properly measure a barrel , I've seen a guys rifle confiscated because the officer measured the barrel from receiver ring to muzzle . Missing almost 3/4 " which made his barrel less than 16" . It cost him a lot to get it back and a long time .

 

[Dans40X]

P.M. sent w/ facts & not internet fiction.

 

[Ggmac]

Yes I am going from memory , which is not current or much good anymore , what were we talking about again ?
No matter what you decide or even following fed law remember what I said in the previous post

 

[savagedasher]

How the action is sold new determins what it can be use for TC action can be both . With Savage and Remington Both can be made a rifle . But with the rifle action must have the longer barrel. Larry

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Pistols can be made into rifles but not the other way around. If a pistol is made into a rifle it must have the correct barrel length and proper stock i.e. You cant put a buttstock on a glock and be legal. A reciever must be originally marked as a pistol and offered for sale that way- xp 100 and strikers come to mind. If it ever had a buttstock on it you cant make it a pistol.

 

[Dans40X]

More internet BS!

A 700 rifle action can be registered w/ BATF to be a handgun w/ any length Bbl you desire.
I crossed the bridge years ago!
A Rem XP-100/XP-100R(repeater),HS Precision 1000 or Salvage Stryker that was manufactured & transfered as a handgun makes life simple.

Converting a full rock & roll to semi auto is not going to happen in any century!

 

[savagedasher]

More internet BS!

A rifle action can be registered w/ BATF to be a handgun w/ any length Bbl you desire.
Paperwork,fees & waiting will take 6 months to a year though.
I crossed the bridge years ago!
A Rem XP-100/XP-100R(repeater),HS Precision 1000 or Salvage Stryker that was manufactured & transfered as a handgun makes life simple.

Converting a full rock & roll to semi auto is not going to happen in any century!

Till the paper work get back it is still a rifle. Larry

 

[Dans40X]

salvagedasher-
REALLY!
I would have never guessed if you hadn't posted the above comment.

 

[savagedasher]

How the action is sold new determins what it can be use for TC action can be both . With Savage and Remington Both can be made a rifle . But with the rifle action must have the longer barrel. Larry

Thompson actions. Are sold as pistols actions and they can be a rifle or a pistol . Larry

 

[284driver]

Since we're on the subject

 

[Dans40X]

284driver-
Your 700 short action specialty handgun seems to have silenced the naysayers!

 

[284driver]

284driver-
Your 700 short action specialty handgun seems to have silenced the naysayers!

Lol.it silences the people at the range too.

 

[savagedasher]

When purchasing a bare receiver/action (bolt action included) most FFL's will check it in on the paperwork as "other" meaning it is neither a pistol or a rifle until you or someone else makes it a pistol or a rifle. Once you build it as a pistol or a rifle that is what it officially becomes whether or not it is ever documented as a pistol or a rifle. If you are a licensed gunsmith or manufacturer and take an "other" receiver and build it as a pistol it goes into the book as a pistol and the opposite is true if you build it as a rifle.

My savage actions I can't make a pistol out of them . I can put a pistol stock but the barrel length is limited. I think 16.5 is as short as it can be. That is from the bolt face. Larry

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you take a model 700 and make a pistol on it- good on you! Dont bring it around me. I go thru this a lot with AOW and sbr rifles. Its all in how it was first documented and a model 700 isnt a pistol.

 

[savagedasher]

This is in regards to a 700 action but I would assume it applies to similar actions.... I was told directly from an ATF agent that the 700 action when purchased new as a receiver must be deemed as a rifle or pistol on the 4473. After that time the firearm can no longer legally be altered to the opposite.....no clue if it is true or not but its the best info I have.... It is absolute hearsay directly from the horses mouth...

I never have seen a 700 action pistol. But many long barrel handguns. Larry