Barrel length permanent change.

[XXFattyHunterXX]

So I know you should notify ATF, but do you have to wait for a reply to the notification of the change to assemble the new barrel?

[Hound]

If you are in possession (or even access) to an NFA item without the appropriate tax stamp in your possession you are in violation of the law and all that means. Use a pistol lower for say an AR15 until you recieve your stamp. Then add the SBR items you really want to finish it off. Don't play with NFA, it is not a good path. Just do it right and be happy.

[TFOGGER]

If you already have an SBR with a stamp, my understanding is you can put a longer barrel on it without any additional paperwork, but going shorter would require notification, and possibly a new stamp.

[Great-Kazoo]

Providing the upper / bbl you had the ATF approval for is same length or shorter than the one you want to put on, no issue. I have shorter uppers for my lower, BUT i still have the original upper to return to filing spec.
Have you browsed the ATF NFA FAQ web site? They have most of the answers to NFA questions.

[XXFattyHunterXX]

Ok I know as long as you have the original barrel length you can change it out. What I'm wondering is a permanent change.Example: if I have a say 11.5 in upper, but want to sell the 11.5 in barrel to fund a different barrel length, a 10.5 or 12.5 maybe for example. So I won't have the 11.5 in barrel, then I would notify ATF it's going to be a different barrel length. What my question is can you assemble the new barrel of different length on the registered lower, or would you have to wait for at f's reply? I'm just curious honestly, I don't recall seeing this situation on atf site. Thanks guys.

[275RLTW]

If you are still keeping it as a NFA item and not shorter than described on your stamp, then no. If going shorter than the OAL, longer than 16" barrel, or changing calibers, then yes as you are modifying the original stamp and may have to re submit the form. I do not believe there is an additional fee for this, just time waiting.

[O2HeN2]

I really wish we could put this shorter barrel/longer barrel misinformation to rest once and for all. An SBR is an SBR is an SBR (and an MG is an MG is an MG). You can convert an SBR (or MG) to any caliber or any length barrel (shorter or longer than on the paperwork) at any time. Knock yourself out. What’s on the paperwork is how the SBR (or MG) was originally made, nothing more. Barrel length on the paperwork (the original configuration) is not some kind of “floor” length that you can’t go shorter than.

However, if you change calibers and/or barrel length and/or overall length you must retain the parts to restore the SBR (or MG) to its so-called original configuration (overall length, barrel length and caliber). If you desire to “permanently” change the caliber and/or barrel length and/or overall length (translation: you want to sell the original parts so you will be unable to restore the SBR to its original configuration) you must send a letter to the ATF stating the new “permanent” configuration of the SBR (or MG).

Now for some opinion: I would hold onto the original parts until you have confirmation from the ATF that they have modified the registry to reflect the new configuration. Then sell the parts.

So to answer your question directly: "...do you have to wait for a reply to the notification of the change to assemble the new barrel?"

No, no need to wait; go ahead and swap as long as you retain the old barrel so you can restore the SBR to its original configuration. In fact, if you're not going to get rid of the original barrel, no need to send the ATF anything.

O2

[XXFattyHunterXX]

Ok thanks, that clarified it for me.

[Circuits]

O2HeN2 is close, but you are not, in fact required to notify the ATF of even permanent changes. ATF asks that you do, in an effort to keep the registry accurate, but there is no law compelling you to do so.

[O2HeN2]

O2HeN2 is close, but you are not, in fact required to notify the ATF of even permanent changes. ATF asks that you do, in an effort to keep the registry accurate, but there is no law compelling you to do so.

Right you are:

"ATF recommends written notification to the NFA Branch when a firearm’s configuration is permanently changed..."

However, a "recommendation" by the ATF is something I'd follow as if it was law, since I'm not big on being a test case

O2