Can I change Upper on Colt AR-15 A2 Carbine ?

[STEED]

I have a Pre-Ban Colt AR-15 A2 Carbine that I purchased new in 1988.

I'm in Massachusetts so the collapsible butt stock is legal due to it's age.

It has the Carry handle that I like, but want variety.

Rather than purchasing a new flat top AR, I was wondering if I could simply purchase a new upper and switch out as needed.

I "think" the answer is yes, but I thought it best to ask for input and suggestions.

 

[namedpipes]

An upper is just a part.

I have no opinion on whether that part can contain AWB features, but I suspect if the receiver is preban then yes.

IANAL

 

[dhuze]

I find it sad that this question even needs to be asked.

 

[Len-2A Training]

I find it sad that this question even needs to be asked.

Totally agree with this.

If a gun is legit pre-ban you can do anything you want with it.

 

[Wildweasel]

yes you can do anything to it. as said, one thing to be aware of is some of the older colts had a large ring front pin. you may need an adapter to fit a regular upper to it. they are inexpensive.
http://www.jsesurplus.com/coltreceiveroffsetadapterpin.aspx

 

[Qjake17]

If you purchased it "new" in 1998 then it is not pre-ban and must stay within the limits of the AWB. No?

 

[Len-2A Training]

If you purchased it "new" in 1998 then it is not pre-ban and must stay within the limits of the AWB. No?

Depends on DOB of the rifle. If Manufactured in AW configuration (ONLY) on/before 9/13/1994, it is pre-ban. If made after that date it is NOT pre-ban and must always remain MA-neutered.

 

[mac1911]

Manufacturing date and purchase date are very different.
Although the question is ask many times some people still don't know what you can do to a pre ban.
Also some might not even know what they really have.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Manufacturing date and purchase date are very different.
Although the question is ask many times some people still don't know what you can do to a pre ban.
Also some might not even know what they really have.

That's why we have a link here in a Sticky in my training sub-forum that points to a list of legit pre-ban S/Ns. BATFE required all mfrs back in 1994 to submit lists of legit pre-ban S/Ns. If it fits you are GTG. If it doesn't, unless you have proof of it being built up with evil features on/before that date, it is NOT legally a pre-ban.

 

[jayhitek]

I'm curious to know if it was in-fact manufactured prior to 1994 or the OP is thinking the AWB was 1998?

 

[Len-2A Training]

I'm curious to know if it was in-fact manufactured prior to 1994 or the OP is thinking the AWB was 1998?

. . . or 2016?

 

[chopper_man]

I have a Pre-Ban Colt AR-15 A2 Carbine that I purchased new in 1998.

I'm in Massachusetts so the collapsible butt stock is legal due to it's age.

It has the Carry handle that I like, but want variety.

Rather than purchasing a new flat top AR, I was wondering if I could simply purchase a new upper and switch out as needed.

I "think" the answer is yes, but I thought it best to ask for input and suggestions.

1994 is the real preban, that's when you can add any features you want. If you are talking the 2016 Healy ban than you can change uppers all you want but you need to make sure you don't turn it in to "assault weapon" that was post 1994 ban. IANAL, make sure you research what you want to do.

 

[Toe Knee]

yes you can do anything to it. as said, one thing to be aware of is some of the older colts had a large ring front pin. you may need an adapter to fit a regular upper to it. they are inexpensive.
http://www.jsesurplus.com/coltreceiveroffsetadapterpin.aspx

Awesome post!

 

[STEED]

Aren’t we all here to help one another? Why is it sad that I asked a question?

 

[chopper_man]

Aren’t we all here to help one another? Why is it sad that I asked a question?

It's not sad that YOU asked the question, it's sad that WE have to even ask these questions. The laws and restrictions in this state are BS and WE shouldn't have to be confined by them.

 

[jayhitek]

Aren’t we all here to help one another? Why is it sad that I asked a question?

When was your lower manufactured? If it was 1998.. that's not the good preban. That's the Healy preban.
You want prior to 9/13/1994 as a manufactured date. That is the true PreBan that is referred to in certain rifles that you can modify how ever you'd like.

 

[CWulf]

Aren’t we all here to help one another? Why is it sad that I asked a question?

STEED, I think the problem is not everyone noticed that you changed the carbines purchase date on the original post from 1998 to 1988

 

[namedpipes]

STEED, I think the problem is not everyone noticed that you changed the carbines purchase date on the original post from 1998 to 1988

Devil in the details...

Yeah, do whatever you want with it.

 

[jayhitek]

Damnit. Didn't see the change in Year either.
You my friend can do what ever the hell you want.
Except for adding a suppressor. Don't do that.

 

[Noreaster]

Damnit. Didn't see the change in Year either.
You my friend can do what ever the hell you want.
Except for adding a suppressor. Don't do that.

Thinking out loud, is there a such thing as a pre-ban supressor? Are they transferable ?

 

[jayhitek]

Thinking out loud, is there a such thing as a pre-ban supressor? Are they transferable ?

No! No suppressor in MA. Don't think about it. Don't look at it. Don't imagine it.
You can however.. Have a fake one.. A muzzle break on the front that looks like a suppressor. But it can't act as one. It's a barrel shroud.

 

[namedpipes]

No! No suppressor in MA. Don't think about it. Don't look at it. Don't imagine it.
You can however.. Have a fake one.. A muzzle break on the front that looks like a suppressor. But it can't act as one. It's a barrel shroud.

Suppressors ARE allowed in MA, but ONLY to FFL/07.