First AR in CT - SBR?

[tuckman1941]

Hi all. Just happened across the forum and thought I'd throw out a New England-specific question. I've decided to get an M4 style AR and have been contemplating a 14.5" barrel. I'm considering this because I'd like to have the short barrel for a future suppressor, and want to be able to pop off the flash hider to put one on for that. Plus I'd just like to have an actual Colt 6921 upper.

Does it make sense to have my only AR (for now) be a SBR? I wouldn't be able to take it to NY, NJ, or RI. Should I just get a 16" barrel and be free to take it anywhere? ...then get a shortie later?

 

[coastie]

Just get the 16". Saves the hassle of not being able to bring it anywhere and the paperwork. I dont know about SBRs but with full auto whenever they are taken out of state you have to fill a form out and send it to the ATF before you go. Kind of puts a dent in running over to a friends house for the afternoon spur of the moment. That extra inch and a half makes no difference in the handling of the weapon. There are a number of suppressors that attach to a flash hider. The only one I have any experience with is the Gemtech. It is a nice compact package. I imagine that most of the manufacturers are about the same.

Also once that is an SBR it is always an SBR even if you change uppers. I believe that you can change it back to a non-NFA weapon but again it is a lot of paperwork.

 

[NFD9]

You could also get a 14.5" barrel and have a flash hider pinned on. Then you don't have to go NFA but still have the looks of gov. model. YHM makes a couple of FH that will accept a sound suppressor.

http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/muzzle.html

Good luck
Gary

 

[cdkayak]

It probably really comes down to one thing. How often do you think you'd be traveling with it? If that's important to you now, go with the 16".

Otherwise, if you'll only be shooting locally & you're planning on getting a can relatively soon the SBR sounds like the way to go.

 

[tuckman1941]

Coastie,

I didn't even consider the fact that the SBR receiver wouldn't be legal in NY/NJ, etc. Thank you for mentioning that.

Picking the can now and permanently mounting the appropriate FH seems like it would be the best option, then. This is looking like it's going to be a major purchase! Plus I'd save $200 bucks right off the bat.

Even though I won't be able to take the can out of state, this would certainly give me the rifle I want, plus the freedom to take it wherever I please.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Du510]

To bump this up, a related question:

Would it be breaking any regulations to have a 14.5" upper shipped to you? Intention would be to have a 1.5" brake welded on before it goes into the build.

I guess another way of asking:
- Is having a 14.5" barrel illegal? OR
- Is having a weapon with a 14.5" barrel illegal?

No tax stamp, naturally.

 

[tuckman1941]

To bump this up, a related question:

Would it be breaking any regulations to have a 14.5" upper shipped to you? Intention would be to have a 1.5" brake welded on before it goes into the build.

I guess another way of asking:
- Is having a 14.5" barrel illegal? OR
- Is having a weapon with a 14.5" barrel illegal?

No tax stamp, naturally.

My understanding is that I could do it if I didn't own a lower receiver. If I owned a lower receiver and the law were to decide I intended to assemble an SBR without the tax stamp, I would be in trouble.

This is now a moot point for me since I purchased a 6921 upper that has a fixed flash hider and paired it with a preban lower. Now, if I could afford or even find ammo, I'd be in good shape.

 

[BossHarley]

FYI - my understanding from talking to a LEO from the CT firearms division
1) in CT all flash suppressors must be permanently attached (welded/pinned) to be legal.
2) Owning any part that could be easily configured to be 'illegal' is considered illegal whether installed or not (eg having a collaspable stock in your house).

 

[Du510]

FYI - my understanding from talking to a LEO from the CT firearms division
1) in CT all flash suppressors must be permanently attached (welded/pinned) to be legal.
2) Owning any part that could be easily configured to be 'illegal' is considered illegal whether installed or not (eg having a collaspable stock in your house).

By "flash supressor" i assume you mean "muzzle brake", as a flash supressor is one of the features on the "evil features list".

 

[maee]

2) Owning any part that could be easily configured to be 'illegal' is considered illegal whether installed or not (eg having a collaspable stock in your house).

Your LEO friend is wrong. The AWB does not include language for constructive posession. Its not illegal to own a collapsible stock, for instance. This only applies to NFA items, such as SBR and full auto parts.