Which short barrel upper?

[airbrnebkr]

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[CharliePC]

I would like to do the same thing, but finances lately haven't cooperated. The Equipment Exchange on AR15.com is good for window shopping, seeing what's out there. They have a couple forums dedicated to AR15 uppers (complete and parts), one for new and one for used. There are normally a few SBRs uppers for sale. Note, I've never bought anything from here so the links aren't endorsements.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_7/22_AR..._Receiver.html
http://www.ar15.com/forums/f_7/159_A..._Receiver.html

I would be interested is seeing how the project goes.

[airbrnebkr]

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[CharliePC]

Something to consider; if you get an SBR upper rather than replacing the barrel, you gain a lot of versatility.

One thing about an NFA weapon, you can't cross state lines with it unless you first fill out a form and get it approved by BATF. You can, however, put your old upper receiver on it and take it across state lines with no issue.

An intricacy of the SBR law, having a lower receiver that registered ALLOWS you to legally shorten the barrel. (The upper receiver isn't registered.) If the barrel is 16" or longer, it's a regular rifle not a SBR even if the lower is registered.

[airbrnebkr]

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[IEDmagnet]

I thought once the lower receiver was registered as an SBR then the ATF considered it an SBR even if you put a longer barrel on it, unless you showed them that you destroyed the short barrel for it.

Yes, that is how the ATF Agent explained it to me, which is why I went against it. I'm just waiting on my UMP to arrive now. That's right fuckers, an UMP, and I'm gonna try to get these bastards to give that to me when I retire instead of my glock. Bwahahahahahaha

[CharliePC]

Nah.

Two issues;
1) The barrel isn't registered or marked in any way, just the lower. Once you get the tax stamp and appropriately mark the lower, you can; shorten the barrel, swap out the upper receiver with a shortie, or leave it as is. You can go back and forth between barrel lengths and configurations. The stamp PERMITS the weapon to have a short barrel, but the ATF only registers the part of the weapon that's controlled. For an AR-15 it's the lower receiver. (Some weapons, such as FALs, it's the upper receiver.)
2) The SBR tax stamp ALLOWS you to shorten the barrel. Any time you put your old upper on the lower, it's no longer an NFA weapon.

Check it out. All of this is answered at BATF's FAQ section on their web site.

edit to add

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/nati...art-registered

Q: What is the registered part of a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) or Short Barreled Shotgun (SBS)?

While a receiver alone may be classified as a “firearm” under the Gun Control Act (GCA), SBRs and SBSs are classified in totality under the National Firearms Act (NFA). A firearm that meets the definition of a SBR consists of a rifle that has a barrel less than 16 inches in length. A SBS consists of a shotgun that has a barrel less than 18 inches in length. The serialized receiver is recorded for registration in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR).

Q: I possess a properly registered SBR or SBS. I intend to strip the receiver and remove the barrel prior to selling the receiver. Is the bare receiver still subject to regulation under the NFA as a SBR or SBS?

A stripped receiver without a barrel does not meet the definition of a SBR or SBS under the NFA. Although the previously registered firearm would remain registered unless the possessor notified the NFA Branch of the change, there is no provision in statute or regulation requiring registration of a firearm without a barrel because its physical characteristics would make it only a GCA “firearm” pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3)(B). If the subsequent owner buys the receiver as a GCA firearm and installs a barrel less than 16 inches in length (SBR) or 18 inches in length (SBS), the firearm would be subject to a $200 making tax and registration under the NFA by the manufacturer or maker of the SBR or SBS. Because registration depends upon the stated intent of the applicant, there is no provision to allow registration of a NFA firearm by anyone other than the maker or manufacturer.

Q: If I remove the short barrel from the registered SBR or SBS, is the receiver still subject to NFA transfer and possession regulations?

If the possessor retains control over the barrel or other parts required to assemble the SBR or SBS, the firearm would still be subject to NFA transfer and possession regulations. ATF recommends contacting State law enforcement officials to ensure compliance with state and local law.

Q: Does the installation of a barrel over 16 inches in length (SBR) or 18 inches in length (SBS) remove the firearm from the purview of the NFA? If so, is this considered a permanent change?

Installation of a barrel greater than 16 inches in length (SBR) or 18 inches in length (SBS) will remove the firearm from the purview of the NFA provided the registrant does not maintain control over the parts necessary to reconfigure the firearm as a SBR or SBS.

Q: Is it necessary to send notification to ATF and receive acknowledgement that the SBR or SBS has been removed from the purview of the NFA before it may be sold as a GCA firearm?

There is no requirement for the possessor of a registered NFA firearm to notify ATF that the firearm has been removed from the purview of the NFA. However, ATF recommends the possessor notify the NFA Branch of such changes in writing so that the possessor is not mistakenly identified as the owner if the firearm is later used in a crime. If, at the time of transfer, the firearm does not meet the definition of a SBR, it should be transferred without filing the NFA transfer application and without payment of the transfer tax.

Q: If I remove the short barrel from my SBR or SBS, may I move the firearm across state lines without the submission of ATF Form 5320.20, Application to Transport or to Temporarily Export Certain Firearms?

If the registrant retains control over the parts required to assemble the SBR or SBS, the firearm is still be subject to all requirements of the NFA. ATF recommends contacting law enforcement officials in the destination state to ensure compliance with state and local law.

Q: May the short barrel on an SBR or SBS be replaced with a long barrel for hunting or other purposes, with the intent of replacing the short barrel?

Yes, and you will not be required to again register the firearm before replacing the short barrel. ATF recommends written notification to the NFA Branch when a firearm’s configuration is permanently changed or removed from the purview of the NFA.

Q: May I transfer the receiver of a short-barrel rifle or shotgun to an FFL or to an individual as I would any GCA firearm?

Yes. A weapon that does not meet the definition of a NFA “firearm” is not subject to the NFA and a possessor or transferor needn’t comply with NFA requirements. The firearm is considered a GCA firearm and may be transferred under the provisions of that law.

Q: Who is responsible for notifying the NFA Branch when I transfer the GCA firearm to a FFL or another individual?

There is no requirement that the transferor or transferee of a GCA firearm notify the NFA branch of a transfer or that either party determine whether the firearm was previously registered under the NFA. There is no also no requirement for the registrant or possessor of a NFA firearm to notify ATF of the removal of features that caused the firearm to be subject to the NFA; however, ATF recommends the owner notify the NFA Branch in writing if a firearm is permanently removed from the NFA

[airbrnebkr]

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[CharliePC]

No sweat. I was going to do my first SBR this month myself, but the missus got a little carried away with the credit card...

[airbrnebkr]

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[FISH]

To much BS for me, you must have the said SBR in your control al all times, ex: you are at the range and have to go to the head, it must go with you. Your wife cannot have the combo to your safe where it's stored.

You could set up a Trust and put your wife and whoever else you want on the trust and then she could have the weapon in her controll or anyone else on the Trust.

I just figured I don't need SBR's, Full Auto or supperessors that bad, and of course it gets $$$$$$ to boot.
Just my .02

[gunsmittys]

SBRs are a notoriously picky about ammo...they don't run reliably..they also give up velocity and accuracy. Unless you operate in extremely tight quarters at all times they are a bigger pain in the ass than they are worth; even with a high CDI factor. Most competitors, whom run their ARs harder than 995% of the rest of the world opt for 14.5" barrels with 1.5" comps or flash hider permanently pinned...you get the handling of the shorter carbine but almost none of the ammo issues.

[airbrnebkr]

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