Ruger Charger

[presspuller]

With the new Ruger Charger that has come out which is a 10/22 handgun, it is simply the same exact receiver, trigger, magizine as the rifle just with a short barrel on it with a handgun stock.
I am certain these have to be sold as a handgun due to the lenth, its either an 8 or 10 inch barrel.
My question is how could one legally make one? Using a factory rifle and simply putting on a new barrel and stock. Would/could you get a new serial number to stay legal?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

The receiver (the firearm, according to ATF) has to be registered as a pistol receiver when made. Once a rifle always a rifle so it would be a SBR if you used a 10/22 rifle to make one, you need to get a 10/22 receiver registered as a pistol (or at least never been assembled as a rifle). There are AR lowers registered as pistols (never been a rifle) for making AR based pistols as well.
That's the law as far as I have been able to ascertain.

 

[Gator]

The Chargers do not have to be sold as pistols, but 10/22s have to be sold as rifles. You can legally turn a pistol into a rifle, but not the reverse. As DoubleTapDrew said, you would have to buy a new pistol receiver. But, the new receiver must be "papered" as a pistol, if it was entered into anyones books as a rifle it can not be used for a pistol, even if it was never assembled.

Some guys used to order stripped receivers (AR or AK receivers) and had their dealer record them as "either" in their bound book, instead of specifying handgun or long gun, but I think the ATF put an end to that.

 

[tulsamal]

Some guys used to order stripped receivers (AR or AK receivers) and had their dealer record them as "either" in their bound book, instead of specifying handgun or long gun, but I think the ATF put an end to that.

http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=122&t=245366

http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=122&t=359316

Gregg

 

[Gator]

Yeah, I have a copy of that letter, but it doesn't say if the dealer can enter the receiver as "either". I think the ATF has said it has to be one or the other (handgun or long gun). If he logs it as a handgun you are good to go.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Some guys used to order stripped receivers (AR or AK receivers) and had their dealer record them as "either" in their bound book, instead of specifying handgun or long gun, but I think the ATF put an end to that.

On a semi-related note for those interested, I read on arfcom that people used to enter a caliber range, especially for ARs, ie- .22 to .50, as well as a range of barrel lengths, ie-5"-24", but ATF has been rejecting those lately and wanting each possible caliber and barrel length listed separately.

 

[ArmedBear]

Now that's interesting. I could have an AR receiver in California recorded as a .22LR, then.

Of course, there's no law against caliber conversions, so I don't understand what difference it makes to the ATF if it's recorded as a 6.8SPC or a 5.56 NATO.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Ruger's website really needs a revamp or needs to be put on faster servers.
I went to look at the charger and it took forever to load pages.

So, what would be the purpose of this over and above having a 10/22 or a heavy barreled 22 pistol?

 

[rcmodel]

It's something else for them to sell.

Lots of folks will buy one, just because!


rcmodel

 

[rcmodel]

Using a factory rifle and simply putting on a new barrel and stock.

I'm betting money Ruger has changed them enough that there won't be any pistol barrel to rifle receiver conversions possible without some machine shop tools.

No way will it be a drop-in barrel swap.


rcmodel

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Now that's interesting. I could have an AR receiver in California recorded as a .22LR, then.

Of course, there's no law against caliber conversions, so I don't understand what difference it makes to the ATF if it's recorded as a 6.8SPC or a 5.56 NATO.

Sorry, I was referring to Title II guns like SBR or MG, should've said that. If the ATF isn't involved there are no forms with caliber questions AFAIK. I'm not sure why they care about calibers. Maybe just to explain why you have multiple uppers for one SBR lower or something (or just more things to bust you for most likely).

 

[presspuller]

I'm betting money Ruger has changed them enough that there won't be any pistol barrel to rifle receiver conversions possible without some machine shop tools.

No way will it be a drop-in barrel swap.

The only difference between the two is the barrel and the stock.

You could take a Charger and turn it into a rifle if you wanted.

 

[tulsamal]

So, what would be the purpose of this over and above having a 10/22 or a heavy barreled 22 pistol?

I've gone squirrel hunting with my Ruger MK II with 10 inch barrel and a scope. The Charger wouldn't be that much different. But since the Charger is a 10/22, I can customize the heck out of it. And probably end up with tighter 50 yard groups.

I think it would be fun for long range plinking. I've got two young children and I bet they would have a ball shooting at pop cans with one.

http://gunblast.com/Ruger-22Charger.htm

Gregg