M4 laws reguarding rifle length and bbl length
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Mr. Chitlin
Member
The barrel has to be 16" or over not to fall under NFA rules. I think OAL of the rifle has to be at least 26", not 100% sure on that one, though.
Unless you are lucky or smart enough to live in a state that allows short barrel rifles to be registered as Any Other Weapons.
10" is the shortest practical length for an AR15 platform rifle and if you go this route seriously consider getting a piston gun over a gas tube gun.
They are far more reliable in short barrel platforms.
10" is the shortest practical length for an AR15 platform rifle and if you go this route seriously consider getting a piston gun over a gas tube gun.
They are far more reliable in short barrel platforms.
trueblue1776
Member
above is correct, as long as you don't buy a barrel labeled as pistol or SBR, you will be fine. No FFL will sell you an illegal SBR.
Not looking for a pistol but I've heard of rifles with 14.5 inch barrels. Are these legal? I once heard that barrel length was irrelevant if the over all length of the rifle was a certain minimum length. If this is true what is the magic number? Are the 14.5 inch length rifles a military only thing?
Do individual states have laws like this? I had thought it was a federal thing?
Thanks,
Do individual states have laws like this? I had thought it was a federal thing?
Thanks,
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
16 inches is the "magic number"; possession of a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16" overall is a 10-year Federal felony unless you first obtain a BATFE Form 4.
Now, BATFE considers permanently attached muzzle devices to be part of the barrel and hence included in the barrel length. So if you have a 14.5" barrel with a 1.5" muzzle brake or flash suppressor that is welded or silver soldered on (can't be removed without destroying the barrel), then according to the law you have a 16" barrel and you're legal.
Military M4's have a 14.5" barrel with removable flash suppressor, so even if they weren't Title 2/Class III automatic weapons, you'd need a Form 4 to own one due to the barrel length.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Carbine
Now, BATFE considers permanently attached muzzle devices to be part of the barrel and hence included in the barrel length. So if you have a 14.5" barrel with a 1.5" muzzle brake or flash suppressor that is welded or silver soldered on (can't be removed without destroying the barrel), then according to the law you have a 16" barrel and you're legal.
Military M4's have a 14.5" barrel with removable flash suppressor, so even if they weren't Title 2/Class III automatic weapons, you'd need a Form 4 to own one due to the barrel length.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_Carbine
Quiet
Member
Like what others said before.
16" barrel length and 26" overall length, unless it's a NFA item (SBR/MG).
SBRs can be obtained via a Form 1 or 4.
16" barrel length and 26" overall length, unless it's a NFA item (SBR/MG).
SBRs can be obtained via a Form 1 or 4.
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