Multiple Form 1 AR lowers

[Shark_Cage]

I looked for this but I didn't find a match. I understand you can have more than one under 16" upper with a registered lower. Any reason (ATF) to have two registered lowers other than having two beautiful complete firearms to look at?

In my case I have a registered lower and a 7.5" 300 BLk upper that is listed on my stamped Form 1. If I wanted to purchase a 12" 458 SOCOM upper, it can use that registered lower? Am I correct?

Just want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Thanks

 

[soam]

Multiple SBR lowers means not having to swap around uppers but spending more money. One SBR lower means spending less money but having to swap around uppers.

You're not missing anything.

 

[massBRS]

It gets fuzzy if you have assembled, unregistered lowers and extra SBR uppers in the same vicinity.

 

[soam]

It gets fuzzy if you have assembled, unregistered lowers and extra SBR uppers in the same vicinity.

No it doesn't. You can have 50 SBR uppers if you want. You're only violating the law if you have a short upper on an unregistered lower.

 

[ScottS]

Multiple SBR lowers means not having to swap around uppers but spending more money. One SBR lower means spending less money but having to swap around uppers.

You're not missing anything.

Concise and complete. Everything you need to know on this subject in one sentence.

 

[Shark_Cage]

Thanks!

 

[massBRS]

No it doesn't. You can have 50 SBR uppers if you want. You're only violating the law if you have a short upper on an unregistered lower.

from the ATF:
"Regarding the possession of a registered SBR AR-15 in addition to other AR-15 pattern firearms or components, such possession is generally lawful with several caveats:

During any reconfiguration of such firearm(s) a "short" barrel or upper receiver assembly must never be installed on an "unregistered" AR-15 rifle receiver.

The registered SBR AR-15 must not be placed in any other NFA configuration, such as Any Other Weapon (AOW).

Unregistered receivers must never be placed in ANY NFA configuration.

Most importantly, any "excess" upper or lower receiver assemblies should correspond to complete firearms of lawful configuration. For example, possession of a spare "short" barreled upper receiver assembly (for the lawfully registered SBR), along with an unregistered AR-15 lower receiver assembly having an attached shoulder stock, may constitute possession of an unregistered SBR. In such a case, the unregistered lower receiver assembly should be assembled into a complete rifle with a "long" upper receiver assembly"

 

[soam]

from the ATF:
"Regarding the possession of a registered SBR AR-15 in addition to other AR-15 pattern firearms or components, such possession is generally lawful with several caveats:

During any reconfiguration of such firearm(s) a "short" barrel or upper receiver assembly must never be installed on an "unregistered" AR-15 rifle receiver.

The registered SBR AR-15 must not be placed in any other NFA configuration, such as Any Other Weapon (AOW).

Unregistered receivers must never be placed in ANY NFA configuration.

Most importantly, any "excess" upper or lower receiver assemblies should correspond to complete firearms of lawful configuration. For example, possession of a spare "short" barreled upper receiver assembly (for the lawfully registered SBR), along with an unregistered AR-15 lower receiver assembly having an attached shoulder stock, may constitute possession of an unregistered SBR. In such a case, the unregistered lower receiver assembly should be assembled into a complete rifle with a "long" upper receiver assembly"

Well, that's complete and utter BS. Do you have a link to the actual ATF letter containing that statement?

 

[massBRS]

Well, that's complete and utter BS. Do you have a link to the actual ATF letter containing that statement?

Negative, but it is consistent with what I've been told by a specialist over the phone. To streamline the legality, it just means have your 16"(+) upper before you start assembling your lower if you have spare SBR uppers. That's how I've always done it - it's not that big a deal. "constructive possession of a non-compliant firearm" is the sort of thing that keeps me up, so I have multiple AR15 lowers registered. YMMV.

 

[ScottS]

Negative, but it is consistent with what I've been told by a specialist over the phone. To streamline the legality, it just means have your 16"(+) upper before you start assembling your lower if you have spare SBR uppers. That's how I've always done it - it's not that big a deal. "constructive possession of a non-compliant firearm" is the sort of thing that keeps me up, so I have multiple AR15 lowers registered. YMMV.

Bull. It runs counter to every other ATF flyer on the subject, and all the legal guidance from NFA-specific lawyers.

If you can't cite an actual ATF letter with that line, I'm throwing the BS flag.

 

[massBRS]

Bull. It runs counter to every other ATF flyer on the subject, and all the legal guidance from NFA-specific lawyers.

If you can't cite an actual ATF letter with that line, I'm throwing the BS flag.

That's fine - what are these ATF flyers you speak of, though?

 

[Parker Duofold]

So let's say, to start with, I have two (2) complete AR15 rifles with 16" barrels.

I then get a tax stamp on an AR15 lower receiver that I intend to build into an SBR with a 12" barrel. I buy the complete 12" upper and build the NFA legal SBR.

I then purchase another complete SBR upper -- say 10.5" and switch that back and forth with the 12" upper I already have on the registered NFA lower.

Is that legal to do?

 

[ScottS]

So let's say, to start with, I have two (2) complete AR15 rifles with 16" barrels.

I then get a tax stamp on an AR15 lower receiver that I intend to build into an SBR with a 12" barrel. I buy the complete 12" upper and build the NFA legal SBR.

I then purchase another complete SBR upper -- say 10.5" and switch that back and forth with the 12" upper I already have on the registered NFA lower.

Is that legal to do?

Perfectly legal. The Form 1 is an Application to Make and Register a Firearm. That is a one-time act. You are subsequently free to change the configuration (bbl length, caliber, etc.) at will. You can even add a barrel > 16" and make it back into a Title I firearm, in case, for example, you wanted to transport it across state lines without having to file a Form 20. (Just be sure to leave the short uppers at home).

 

[Knicks]

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may...-long-barrel-hunting-or-other-purposes-intent

[FONT=&amp]"[/FONT][h=1]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?"[/h][FONT=&amp]
"Yes, and you will not be required to again register the firearm before replacing the short barrel. ATF [/FONT][FONT=&amp]recommends[/FONT][FONT=&amp] written notification to the NFA Branch when a firearm’s configuration is permanently changed or removed from the purview of the NFA"[/FONT]

 

[bigblue]

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/may...-long-barrel-hunting-or-other-purposes-intent

[FONT=&amp]"[/FONT]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?"

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

Unless you plan to weld the pins on your AR15 once assembled, its damn near impossible to permanently change its configuration.

The best argument for multiple registered lowers is having different caliber uppers that require their own mag blocks or buffers. Could I have one lower and swap everything out? Sure but it is much easier to have 5 registered lowers and treat them like legos. Plus MA will have no clue what upper goes on what lower if it ever came to that.

 

[massBRS]

So let's say I have one registered, assembled lower, with three short barrel uppers. I also have two unregistered, assembled lowers. Just lowers - nothing more.

I have reason to believe this is NOT legal. That's why I have a corresponding upper for every lower - registered or not (16"+). Each of my SBRs has a corresponding registered lower. Overcautious, perhaps, but that's a precaution I'm willing to take. That's the point I have been trying to make throughout this discussion.