14.5 barrel made legal

First, I know this has probably been asked already, but I couldn't find the answer. Is the following process legal if done in this order, and done without a tax stamp?

1. Add 14.5 barrel to ar-15 upper
2. Pin and weld flash supressor to barrel making it 16.1
3. Assemble legal lenth rifle.

Should be fine, it's not a firearm until you put the upper on a lower. You could have a 10.5" upper shipped to your door without a stamp (although I would not recommend that if you don't have a SBR or pistol receiver and own an AR since that could make a compelling "constructive possession" case).

For the reasons DTD mentioned, I'd recommend pinning and welding the flash suppressor on before putting the barrel into the upper. Slightly less chance of "constructive possession" that way.

I have a question... If he did these steps out of order, at what point would the ATF team members fly through the windows and drag him out of his house?:rolleyes:

I have a question... If he did these steps out of order, at what point would the ATF team members fly through the windows and drag him out of his house?

I'm having the windows removed from my house as a precaution.

Should be fine, it's not a firearm until you put the upper on a lower.

Thank you very much! That's a question that's been nagging me about sawing off a barrel and installing a cutts compensator on a shotgun. Your answer is concise and makes absolute legal sense.

I have a question... If he did these steps out of order, at what point would the ATF team members fly through the windows and drag him out of his house?
I'm having the windows removed from my house as a precaution.

LOL! Good call, one time I set a vertical foregrip too close to a railed handgun and a black helicopter started hovering over my house and wouldn't leave until I put the VFG onto an AR-15.

Thanks for all the good input.

My point being: If you are are going to complete these three steps, don't worry about a critical sequence and legality. Just build the friggin' gun.
:D

Why would you only want 14.5" of rifling if the overall barrel is still 16"?

Why would you only want 14.5" of rifling if the overall barrel is still 16"?

Exactly my thoughts as I was reading the posts. I personally like the extra free velocity that a longer rifled barrel affords, along with the slightly flatter trajectory.



NCsmitty