I’ve tried searching the forum and can’t find anything defining the difference between a pistol vs SBR. If there is a preexisting thread, please shoot me in the right direction.

My confusion is that I’ve found conflicting info about what is and isn’t a pistol (specifically an ar pistol). Some say arm braces are good to go others say they are a no go. I’ve found the same confusion with vertical foregrips and OAL.

I found a flowchart that was pretty easy to read but was from 2015 so I’m afraid the info is outdated.

So what’s the official verdict!?

Thanks in advance!

16" plus barrel with a stock is a rifle.

Less than 16" barrel with a stock is an SBR. SBRs need tax stamp.

Less than 16" barrel with a brace or buffer tube is a pistol. Pistols do not need tax stamp.

Less than 16" barrel with an over-all length of at least 26" and a vertical foregrip is a "firearm" and is legal as long as its not concealed. Without the VFG its just a pistol.

Less than 16" barrel with OAL less than 26" cant have a VFG on it unless its a registered SBR.

The go/no-go on the brace thing is whether or not you can shoulder a brace. Thats a back-and-forth thing that ill let someone else explain better. But for the sake of my explanation, a brace is not a stock so it doesnt make a pistol an SBR.

Perfect. Thank you!

yes , thank you

As stated a brace is not a stock and is not to be intended to use as a stock. But if it "accidentally" ends up in the shoulder while firing you did nothing wrong and are still legal.

Also, a lower that left the factory as a "rifle" can't be converted to a pistol by pulling the stock off and putting a brace on. Once a rifle, always a rifle. If you do this, and put a shorty upper on it, it's an SBR and needs a stamp, even if using a brace.

A lower that left the factory as a "pistol" can be converted to a rifle and back again without penalty.

How about converting an other to a SBR? Would this just require a $200 tax stamp ?
SB Tactical designed the first pistol brace--good web site for up to date info about pistol brace--and shouldering a pistol brace.

I think a pistol with vertical foregrip makes a AOW requiring tax stamp and registration. Ie
An AR 15 pistol with a vertical front grip

Adding a stock to a pistol normally results in a sbr requiring registration. Also an other such as the Shockwave would result in a sbs with the addition of a stock

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
Also, a lower that left the factory as a "rifle" can't be converted to a pistol by pulling the stock off and putting a brace on. Once a rifle, always a rifle. If you do this, and put a shorty upper on it, it's an SBR and needs a stamp, even if using a brace.

A lower that left the factory as a "pistol" can be converted to a rifle and back again without penalty.

How does that work for stripped lowers?