Rifle OAL Question

[Skip]

(If this is the wrong place, please move)

I am building a Faxon ARAK-21 and do not want it to be an NFA item. So far, I've had some issues with the upper so I'm stalled but working on it with Faxon (longer story). I am wanting to add a Law Tactical folder which would include a standard AR-15 buffer tube and Magpul stock.

Specs...

16" barrel
2" muzzle break (not pinned)
estimated 26.5" OAL while folded including unpinned break
estimated 34.5" unfolded, 38" unfolded with stock fully extended including unpinned break


ATF has a note about fully extending collapsible stocks for OAL measurement of rifles. Nothing I can find on folding stocks (measured folded/unfolded). Pinning the break obviously matters for barrel measurement but I am already at 16" without the break. I want to make sure I don't fall under the 26" OAL rule.

The ARAK can fire while folded with the Law Tactical folder since there is no BCG travel into the buffer.

Should I get the break pinned?


With these estimates, if the break were removed, and the stock folded, it would be 24.5". With the break in place I'm at 26.5".

My initial thinking was Faxon put the 2" brake on to satisfy OAL while folded with a Law folder but then I'm not sure I'm solid in my understanding of measuring rifle OAL.

For visualization, it would look like this...

[whitewalrus]

OAL should be measured with the stock folded out - rifles are designed to be shoulder fired.

[brutal]

OAL should be measured with the stock folded out - rifles are designed to be shoulder fired.

Yes, for rifle.

For pistol, as I understand, the ATF recently posted a letter stating the opposite for any PISTOL that has a brace. Must be measured collapsed (end of buffer) or folded (end of receiver/folding mount).

https://blog.princelaw.com/2019/07/0...ilizing-brace/

[DenverGP]

Because a standard AR pistol can't fire with the buffer tube folded, I'd think the measurement would be the end of the buffer tube.

But I'd still remove any VFG from an AR pistol with a folding buffer tube just in case (since common sense and ATF don't go together)

Yes, for rifle.

For pistol, as I understand, the ATF recently posted a letter stating the opposite for any PISTOL that has a brace. Must be measured collapsed (end of buffer) or folded (end of receiver/folding mount).

https://blog.princelaw.com/2019/07/0...ilizing-brace/

[Skip]

Thank guys.

Yes, for rifle.

For pistol, as I understand, the ATF recently posted a letter stating the opposite for any PISTOL that has a brace. Must be measured collapsed (end of buffer) or folded (end of receiver/folding mount).

https://blog.princelaw.com/2019/07/0...ilizing-brace/

Yes, this is what got the noodle going and caused me to take out my measuring tape and second guess everything.

I'm never going to put any barrel < 16" on this upper and don't like VFGs so I'm safe there. Lower was bought as a rifle and will always be a rifle.

[brutal]

Because a standard AR pistol can't fire with the buffer tube folded, I'd think the measurement would be the end of the buffer tube.

But I'd still remove any VFG from an AR pistol with a folding buffer tube just in case (since common sense and ATF don't go together)

LAW Tactical will fire one shot when folded.

[Skip]

LAW Tactical will fire one shot when folded.

ARAK will fire as a semi auto with a folded Law.

[def90]

16 inch barrel, doesnt that make it a rifle in the first palce?

[ray1970]

16 inch barrel, doesnt that make it a rifle in the first palce?

Nope.

[brutal]

Nope.

I keep expecting to see one of those posted with a BANG flag hanging out of the barrel.