SBR temporary barrel length change question

[bikemutt]

I know I can use any length barrel on a registered SBR AR15 lower and that I must be able to return the SBR to it's registered length.

Let's say I have only one upper receiver which allows for easy barrel swaps, is having possession of the original barrel sufficient to meet the return-to-original-length requirement? Or, must I have to have the original barrel installed in an upper receiver at all times?

Thanks.

 

[dogtown tom]

bikemutt....and that I must be able to return the SBR to it's registered length.

No such requirement under Federal law.

 

[ScottS]

And it's an urban legend that just won't die

 

[medalguy]

Yup. And if you decide to permanently replace the short barrel upper with a standard upper, all you need to do is notify Technical Branch and they will remove the gun from the registry. Note however you can't later replace the long barrel with a short one without going through the Form 1 route and paying the tax again.

 

[bikemutt]

Thanks all.

 

[pjeski]

Yup. And if you decide to permanently replace the short barrel upper with a standard upper, all you need to do is notify Technical Branch and they will remove the gun from the registry. Note however you can't later replace the long barrel with a short one without going through the Form 1 route and paying the tax again.

There is no requirement to do so, it's just something ATF would like you to do.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/it-...d-receive-acknowledgement-sbr-or-sbs-has-been

 

[Arizona_Mike]

There is no requirement to do so, it's just something ATF would like you to do.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/it-...d-receive-acknowledgement-sbr-or-sbs-has-been

Exactly. I have also notified them when my estimates (due to avoiding an illegal mockup) were off a bit.

Mike

 

[wally]

Exactly. I have also notified them when my estimates (due to avoiding an illegal mockup) were off a bit.

With no legal requirement, my attitude is F'em. Its their stupid rules that force the numbers on the form to be only estimates, so I refuse to do any extra paperwork to fix it.

 

[HRnightmare]

as others have said...you can change it all you want "temporarily" but that word is not defined by the NFA branch, If you change it "permanently" just send them a letter stating it has been changed and they will respond. I would keep that letter.

But throwing another lower on it for a day at the range or week at the range, or ten years in the safe really is up to interpretation as to permanent or temporarily. If you decided to weld the barrel to the upper and the upper to the lower then you could make a case it is permanent... haha

 

[VinnAY]

I've taken it to mean as long as you can readily return it the registered config (barrel and overall lengths), that you can do as you please with the lower. I have one SBRd lower and I put it on all manner of upper barrel lengths. It's registered with a 8.5" Barrel in .30Cal, which I always have, but I swap uppers around with out nary a concern to legality or other nonsense.

 

[MasterSergeantA]

There is no requirement to do so, it's just something ATF would like you to do.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/it-...d-receive-acknowledgement-sbr-or-sbs-has-been

pjeski has made a valid point and offered the ATF reference in support. It is a little off the original question, but demonstrates how a lot of what folks think of as "law" is no more that ATF recommendations and/or 'wants'. A lot of their "opinions" are no more than that. Only when the congress or the courts get involved (primarily through case law) do these desires become legal requirements. Having said that, I don't poke the bear any more than is strictly necessary.