What makes a Rifle with a pistol grip a Pistol?

[SniperStraz]

Not really sure if this is more about handuns or rifles but here we go:
I'm constantly seeing rifle platforms with short barrels and pistol grips (no stock) Such as Kel-Tec and AR15 type "pistols"
How is this legal? Is it because the were manufactured to be pistols?
If I were to take the stock off of an AK and leave just the pistol grip, would it then be legal to saw the barrel down to 10in?
Someone please help me make sense of this.
Thanks you.
-SniperStraz

 

[Boba Fett]

This should answer your questions.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=122&t=266557

 

[Nugilum]

It's amazing to read an explanation on how confusing the gun laws are. And, how careful you need to be legally with an AR Pistol, especially if you already own an AR15.

 

[Boba Fett]

Yeah I know.

was my reaction too when I first read up on it.

 

[SniperStraz]

I'm not sure I'd follow that link as law, but it was an interesting read.
So... other opinions?
What if one doesn't cut off the barrel and just puts a pistol grip on an AK?
Is that illegal?

 

[TexasRifleman]

What if one doesn't cut off the barrel and just puts a pistol grip on an AK?
Is that illegal?

If the overall length of the rifle after you do that is less than 26 inches you cannot. You cannot make a pistol out of a rifle.

 

[Boba Fett]

http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=239

Might give you some more insight.

And if you want to take the time to peruse reference links (might have to dig through a couple articles, but you'll find the official BATF or legal rulings) in this Wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Firearms_Act

And one more good link:
http://federalfirearmslicense.me/bl...need-a-federal-firearms-license-to-sell-them/

 

[SniperStraz]

Thank you

 

[Boba Fett]

[url]http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/search/display.html?terms=rifle%20length&url=/uscode/html/uscode26/usc_sec_26_00005845----000-.html[/URL]

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode26/usc_sup_01_26_10_E_20_53.html


Even better link...