I didn't figure this belonged in the Legal channel where we have a good discussion going on the ATF ruling regarding pistol stabilizing braces. As soon as I read through the 293-page ruling last weekend, I ordered an Aero Precision pistol buffer assembly (i.e. the buffer tube is smooth with no notches). It arrived Thursday and I went to install it, but it was defective (the buffer tube threads are too short to get it fully installed). I went back online to find a different one and most of my go-to vendors were already sold out of everything. I found one that was in stock and paid twice what my first one was. I just figured I'd let folks know that if they're wanting a pistol buffer tube any time soon, you may want to get to it because the supply is not going to keep up with the demand.
AR Pistol Buffer Tubes - supply vs demand
- Thread starter Navy_Guns
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BreechFace
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Yup, when the ruling came out I ordered compact smooth pistol buffer tubes like I used to run. Just make sure they meet their 6 - 6-1/2” length they are seemingly going to require.
I think this will be litigated but I wanted to get these installed on my pistol AR’s and knew that the current supply will not be nearly sufficient for all the braced AR’s out there.
These are what I purchase, they should be short enough to satisfy the requirements.
https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...rike-industries-short-pistol-buffer-tube-kit/
I think this will be litigated but I wanted to get these installed on my pistol AR’s and knew that the current supply will not be nearly sufficient for all the braced AR’s out there.
These are what I purchase, they should be short enough to satisfy the requirements.
https://www.wingtactical.com/firear...rike-industries-short-pistol-buffer-tube-kit/
Do you have a source for that length "requirement"? I was troubled reading the ruling that they said length of pull would be a considering factor in evaluating weapons but then gave no metric for it. Same thing with weight. On the form 4999 "checklist" that they abandoned, they had 10 1/2" as the longest LOP for zero points, but I could find no hard numbers in the signed (but not yet published) ruling. Vendors list smooth buffer tubes of carbine length (~ 7.5") as "pistol" buffer tubes, so without clarification, we're left spending money on stuff on faith that it's "good enough". What a mess...
Last edited:
CapnMac
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From potentially fickle memory, no length is mentions--only the "required for function."
Which was to prevent, probably, maybe, simply grafting a buffer tube onto an AK pistol. SP-5, or the like.
Which was to prevent, probably, maybe, simply grafting a buffer tube onto an AK pistol. SP-5, or the like.
mcb
Member
I bought a pistol tube for the braced AR over a year ago. Still sitting in my spare parts shelf. Not doing anything with it till about 119 days after the 120 day timer starts and it ain't started yet.
Shawn Dodson
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BreechFace
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@Navy_Guns
Sorry, I think that I was thinking of their point system worksheet that calls out 6-6-1/2” for a pistol buffer you’ve to be considered 0 points towards their naughty list.
Sorry, I think that I was thinking of their point system worksheet that calls out 6-6-1/2” for a pistol buffer you’ve to be considered 0 points towards their naughty list.
The length requirement of a pistol buffer tube that the ATF will NOT consider your pistol a SBR is stated on page 162 of the Factoring Criteria document. And that length is stated as 6 - 6 1/2 inches.
https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regul...armswithattachedstabilizingbracespdf/download
And 4 or 6 position carbine buffer tubes measure 7 to 7 1/4 inches when measured from the end plat to the end of the buffer tube. Yes I measured several carbine buffer tubes last night along with my one pistol buffer tube. The pistol buffer tube measured 6 1/8 inches from the end plate to the end of the buffer tube.
https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regul...armswithattachedstabilizingbracespdf/download
And 4 or 6 position carbine buffer tubes measure 7 to 7 1/4 inches when measured from the end plat to the end of the buffer tube. Yes I measured several carbine buffer tubes last night along with my one pistol buffer tube. The pistol buffer tube measured 6 1/8 inches from the end plate to the end of the buffer tube.
