SBR procedure overview?

[Lurch]

I put all my SBR's as 7" bbls AND 5.56 This gives you leeway ( BBL and OAL )if you decided to drop a 22 or 9mm upper on. YMMV

Its my understanding you have to be able to bring it to the original Form 1 filing. So what will happen in the off chance the ATF comes a knocking?

[Lurch]

Does anyone have any guidance, an actual ATF pamphlet or instruction, indicating that short of the SBR's original configuration the AFT gives two rat poops what upper is on the lower? The upper is just a part. The lower is the item being registered. I have talked to the NFA ATF office about removing uppers from SBR's and turning them over to the owner while the Form 4 on the lower clears. I discussed the upper being used on a lower previously Form 1ed. They related flat out that the upper was just a part and the lower was relevant. I will not even remotely shocked if it's erroneous. Equally, I will not be shocked if the last three strings of info are not supported by direct ATF guidance. I'm not even sure the AFT even knows…..

If they already have a SBR they are fine. If they have another AR then no. If they don't have an AR then yes.

[Great-Kazoo]

Its my understanding you have to be able to bring it to the original Form 1 filing. So what will happen in the off chance the ATF comes a knocking?

Not a thing. ALL our AR SBR's wear their NFA stamp uppers. The other caliber uppers sit in a designated SBR rifle case. They can ask at the range, or in a vehicle (with warrant) nothing to elicit future inspection.

Other caliber uppers are fun / range toys. The 5.56 / 223 ones are kept intact, as they are PD, HD, all around go to guns.

[Circuits]

My understanding is I can go longer with no problem, but shorter and I have to fill out paperwork even if I keep this current upper on hand and buy another one.

No. You can go shorter if you want.

[RCCrawler]

No. You can go shorter if you want.

Not that I don't believe you, but can anyone show where that is published?

If they don't care the actual length then why bother even asking? Just let us fill out a form saying SBR.

[Great-Kazoo]

Not that I don't believe you, but can anyone show where that is published?

If they don't care the actual length then why bother even asking? Just let us fill out a form saying SBR.

I put the shortest functioning 5.56 bbl length down 7" They need something to base your app off of. Just like Caliber. When you deal with the.gov everything is questionable.

[Circuits]

Not that I don't believe you, but can anyone show where that is published?

If they don't care the actual length then why bother even asking? Just let us fill out a form saying SBR.

There are no laws saying you CAN do things - just laws saying what you can't do.

The NFA defines an SBR as a rifle with a barrel less than 16" - and any length is good to go on an SBR.

You are required to put a length because you're the maker, and you're supposed to put down the initial build configuration. After that, there's no laws forbidding you from ever changing it. The back of the Form 1 does ask you to write the ATF and notify them of any permanent changes - but there is no statute requiring you to do that, either.

If you absolutely must have a written answer, write the ATF Firearms Technology branch and they'll send you a reply.

[RCCrawler]

Ok, here's the scoop, I called the ATF Branch in Denver and asked the question.

-If it is a temporary change and you can change it right back, nothing is needed.
-If it's a permanent change you need to send a letter to the ATF NFA branch office listing your make, model, serial number, new barrel length, and new overall length.

He did not know if you could make the changes then send the letter, or if you had to send the letter first then wait for approval to make the changes so he gave me a number at the NFA branch to call.

The lady at the NFA branch said that you must send the letter, then wait for a response letter back from them before making any permanent changes. She said currently the wait on letters such as that is 3-6 months.

[Great-Kazoo]

Ok, here's the scoop, I called the ATF Branch in Denver and asked the question.

-If it is a temporary change and you can change it right back, nothing is needed.
-If it's a permanent change you need to send a letter to the ATF NFA branch office listing your make, model, serial number, new barrel length, and new overall length.

He did not know if you could make the changes then send the letter, or if you had to send the letter first then wait for approval to make the changes so he gave me a number at the NFA branch to call.

The lady at the NFA branch said that you must send the letter, then wait for a response letter back from them before making any permanent changes. She said currently the wait on letters such as that is 3-6 months.

The Denver branch is LE, not technical side of things. While they can render a "guess" as you found out they are not savvy on NFA items. Unless you're in a sting.
If it's not from the tech branch back east, in writing, don't base what you do, on that answer.

[SA Friday]

There are no laws saying you CAN do things - just laws saying what you can't do.

The NFA defines an SBR as a rifle with a barrel less than 16" - and any length is good to go on an SBR.

You are required to put a length because you're the maker, and you're supposed to put down the initial build configuration. After that, there's no laws forbidding you from ever changing it. The back of the Form 1 does ask you to write the ATF and notify them of any permanent changes - but there is no statute requiring you to do that, either.

If you absolutely must have a written answer, write the ATF Firearms Technology branch and they'll send you a reply.

THANK YOU! This was what I was trying to relay in my previous post. After the initial build, the ATF really doesn't care. Again, my previous conversations with the ATF NFA office concerning uppers all have finished the same, the lower is the SBR and the upper IS A PART...

(BTW, as a retired Fed I can tell you that if there isn't a statute to enforce then it's not against the law. They can want all they would like and they can put it all over forms in blood red print that sticks to your fingers if they want. Doesn't mean squat.)

Circuits, you and I need to go out for coffee one of these days and swap stories.