Bolt handgun questions

[djtjr]

Hey guys was wondering if I could pick your brains a bit. I have a stolle panda 220 Russian rifle that I want to turn into a handgun. It's left bolt left eject because I had a shoulder injury so went opposite hand to see if it was more comfortable. Now that I am better I am back to all right hand shooting and I rather work the bolt right handed anyway, but was thinking that with a handgun in bolt action it may actually make sense for a right handed person to have a left bolt so you can maintain grip while reloading etc. Has anyone done this? Does it make as much sense as it seems to me? Who would make a great handgun bench style stock for a panda, what do I have to do legally seeing as I live in the peoples republic of NY, ie what defines a handgun is it stock or barrel length? Anything else I may be missing? Any thought on the conversion would be greatly appreciated.
All the best and happy holidays,
Don

 

[CJ6]

I own a couple XPs (RB-RP) I'm right handed, I've shot the Savage Strikers (LB) and I much prefer the LB configuration (as you say maintaing grip). Wish Rem had did this with their XPs.

 

[distinguished]

It would be best to contact BATFE before converting a rifle to a handgun. I believe it is not legal to do so. They will give you right answer.

 

[Preacher]

Legally you can put as long of a barrel on a registered pistol action as you care to do. Last I knew the feds would frown on you making a hand gun out of a rifle.
If it had never been a rifle you could probably get away with it, but you need to contact the ATF to be sure.
Legally you can only hunt NYS with a maximum of a 16" handgun barrel......
No shoulder stocks allowed either....
I'm sure you could find someone on the forum to make you a benchrest style stock for a pistol if you checked around a little.....

 

[RonRouse]

Been there---done that!!!! You can convert a bolt action pistol to a rifle but you cannot convert a rifle to a pistol. The Feds frown on that.

 

[Kenny474]

Possibly trading the action for one yet to be registered as a rifle would be a great way to go if you have issues.

I think the Panda would make a great pistol action being aluminum and light weight.

Good luck. I hope it works out.

Kenny

Another, possibly (most likely) stupid, idea would be to have a folding stock that is very minimal on it and register it as a short barreled rifle. If the stock were very small and light and didn't interfere when folded, it may be an option. Again, local laws will need to be referenced and it will require a federal tax stamp as well.

 

[Rustystud]

Before you convert anything I would check with the technology section of the BATF.
If memory serves me correctly you can change a pistol to a rifle but not a rifle to a pistol.

Example Remington XP100 starts out as a pistol and is converted to a sleeved BR rifle.

You can't put a less than 16 inch barrel on a Remington 600.

Nat Lambeth

 

[CJ6]

Although a Custom action NOT designated rifle/pistol can be made as either.

 

[Rustystud]

I would get a letter of authorization from the BATF.

When dealing with the BATF it is better to get permission than ask for forgiveness.

Nat Lambeth

 

[jonbearman]

Register it as homemade.Try that angle,with the batfe of course and make sure you talk to a major supervisor as you will get 3 different answers from 3 differerent operators.You have to get it in writing on there letter head.

 

[alf]

Pretty sure it would already be registered as a rifle, which would make turning it into a handgun a huge no-no.

 

[JDMock]

Making a pistol from a Panda action is illegal. Kelbly made a pistol action (the Cub) and perhaps you could trade your Panda for a Cub. Good shooting....James

 

[BoydAllen]

A long time ago, I bought a Rampro action. Even though I intended to use it for a rifle, I did the paperwork as if it was to be used for a pistol, which I believe, kept both options open. (The manufacturer used the same action for building both.) If I had bought it as a rifle action, it is my understanding that I would not have had the option of legally using it as the basis for a pistol. If your action was originally sold as a rifle action, I believe that you cannot legally use it as part of a pistol. On the other hand, if you put a 16" barrel on it and stock it so that it is the minimum length for a rifle, I am not sure that there is any law against having a stock not suitable for shooting from the shoulder as part of a rifle. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on this point.

 

[RICHP]

Hey Don, you need to check out Specialty Pistols website. Those guys are great and have done it all and done it at long range. GO THERE!