Questions Related to building rifles/shotguns/pistols and how the AWB affects these builds:
Rifles:
Q: Can I legally replace parts on a preban lower and still have the gun be pre-ban at the
end?
A: Yes, as long as the lower stays as a constant, the entire gun can be treated as a preban, even if all the other parts are brand new.
Q: If I put a thumbhole stock on my AR can I get an extra evil feature?
A: Yes. That said, beware that in a lot of cases this doesn't buy you much. You could swap out a brake for an FH. There is also the "usable threads" problem you run into on most normal uppers.
ETA: There
was some controversy about this. That said, it's somewhat of a moot issue since nobody makes the damned things anymore anyways.
Q: What about this rumination I hear about a rifle being exempt from the AWB if it is an SBR?
A: Controversial/Unknown - This issue is discussed in detail here:
MA-centric NFA FAQ
Flash Suppressors:
Q: What Legally Constitutes/Delineates between a Flash Suppressor in MA?
A: Nobody knows, the assumed guess is it references the old Federal standard, which is defined by this ATF bulletin here: (cite needed). To add to the fun, BATFE no longer conducts any kind of testing to
determine what is or is not a flash suppressor. All you really have to go by is the manufacturers'
claim(s). This is particularly amusing because I've seen at least a couple of rifles on the market that depending on the marketing literature you read, one says "Flash Suppressor" and the other ad blurb for it calls it a "muzzle brake".
Attachment of Brakes/other muzzle devices:
Q: What legally Constitutes "permanent attachment" of a muzzle device in MA?
A: Nobody knows, the assumed guess is it references the old Federal standard, which is either Silver Solder or Blind Pin + Weld over the hole left behind.
Collapsible Stocks:
Q: What legally Constitutes a correct "pinning" of an adjustable or folding stock so that it is not considered as such under the law?
A: Nobody really knows. The generally accepted premise is that it must not be able to be restored to its original state without the use of tools.
Q: Why are stocks like the Magpul PRS considered legal? Doesn't that back section "collapse" ?
A: If you read the law and how it describes a collapsible stock, it does not fit the definition of such a stock. Something like the PRS is "adjustable" but not collapsible. (the parts on the PRS don't really "telescope".
Shotguns:
Q: Can I add a pistol grip to a Saiga shotgun in MA?
A: Not usually, this would push the shotgun above the part count limit for shotguns
Pistols:
Threaded Barrels:
Q: Is a threaded barrel legal on a pistol in MA?
A: Yes, pending the constrictions described in the AWB above... but generally speaking, most common handguns are lawful to use with a threaded barrel, because most of them are way below the AWB criteria.
Pre-Ban Pistol:
Q: Is it possible to build an AR or AK pistol in MA that doesn't violate the MA AWB?
A: Maybe, but what you will end up with is usually best described as a "frankenstein hack job", manly to keep the pistol within the 50 ounce unloaded weight limit.
VFG:
Q: Can I attach a vertical foregrip or a buttstock to a pistol?
A: No. This is prohibited by the Federal NFA. There are ways to do this legally but this is WAY outside the scope of this Faq.... see the NFA faq in the equipment section.
Note well: There are some ancient handguns that have buttstocks that are exempt from being SBRs by Federal Law, for example certain old Mauser pistols and some Browning Hi Powers that had stocks that came
with them. Of course, if you have one of these, you probably already know about the exemption.
Flash Suppressor:
Q: Can I put a flash suppressor on a pistol?
A: Yes, if your pistol does not trip the AWB weight limit described earlier.