AR Pistol

[jyl]

Was reading about the new Ruger AR556 Pistol.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/4/13/new-for-2019-ruger-ar-556-pistol/

Anyone have one, what do you think?

Also, how is this legal? Why isn't it a short-barrelled rifle, since the barrel is only 10" and it has a buttstock?

[flatbutt]

looks like a rifle, fires like a rifle...

[red-beard]

Terminology...

It is a pistol because it was created as a pistol. The thing on the buffer tube is a "brace" not a Buttstock.

[Jeff Higgins]

Yeah, I handled a guy's home built AR "pistol". Not for me, and I'm really not sure of its actual real-world application. I get the feeling these are becoming popular more as a thumb in the eye of the anti-gunners than as a practical firearm. It's like it was during the Clinton "assault rifle" ban - a semantics game. This is not a "rifle" because that is a "brace" not a "butt stock". Uh-huh. Yeah right... I wish folks would be a bit more careful in playing this game and pissing off would-be gun legislation writers, all for very little to no practical benefit. Just because they can...

[id10t]

Remember, the *real* reason behind pistol and rifle definitions (and shotgun and plain old "firearm") are all based on TAX laws and the excise taxes paid at the manufacturer or importer level.

[Gretch]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Yeah, I handled a guy's home built AR "pistol". Not for me, and I'm really not sure of its actual real-world application. I get the feeling these are becoming popular more as a thumb in the eye of the anti-gunners than as a practical firearm. It's like it was during the Clinton "assault rifle" ban - a semantics game. This is not a "rifle" because that is a "brace" not a "butt stock". Uh-huh. Yeah right... I wish folks would be a bit more careful in playing this game and pissing off would-be gun legislation writers, all for very little to no practical benefit. Just because they can...

Agree with this sentiment........

drama and emotions are used to whittle away the 2nd..........

case in point, bump stocks.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by id10t

Remember, the *real* reason behind pistol and rifle definitions (and shotgun and plain old "firearm") are all based on TAX laws and the excise taxes paid at the manufacturer or importer level.

While that is true, there are also barrel length limitations on what is considered a "pistol" and what is considered a "rifle". Maximum on "pistol", minimum on "rifle".

This becomes important in jurisdictions with different laws regarding the possession and/or carrying of "pistols" vs. "rifles", whether or not a "pistol" can have a "butt stock", and that sort of thing. On the consumer level, they are more interested in skirting these laws than they are in taxation.

[gtc]

Anyone know what the nylon strap on that "pistol stabilizing brace" is supposed to be used for?

[legion]

Originally Posted by gtc

Anyone know what the nylon strap on that "pistol stabilizing brace" is supposed to be used for?

To strap the brace to your wrist.

[Rick Lee]

SIG Sauer came up with the brace as a means for disabled vets to be able to fire an AR-style gun with one arm or hand. ATF first said they'd allow it without going the SBR route. But, if they busted someone for something else and they were using one of these "pistols," they could tack that charge on too. Then they said they'd allow it without any restrictions. I'm still not sure I'd want to be seen at a public range, shouldering the brace. But man, these things grow on trees now. There must be tens of millions in circulation now, so there's no way to go after everyone, if ATF changes their minds again. I get email alerts ever day from various online retailers. In fact, I think I will build one soon, as I have an extra stripped lower I want to build up, and like the idea of a non-NFA "SBR." I can always turn it into a 16" rifle with traditional butt stock, if I change my mind.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by jyl

Was reading about the new Ruger AR556 Pistol.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2019/4/13/new-for-2019-ruger-ar-556-pistol/

Anyone have one, what do you think?

Also, how is this legal? Why isn't it a short-barrelled rifle, since the barrel is only 10" and it has a buttstock?

Did you ever get a target pistol 22?

[jyl]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

SIG Sauer came up with the brace as a means for disabled vets to be able to fire an AR-style gun with one arm or hand. ATF first said they'd allow it without going the SBR route. But, if they busted someone for something else and they were using one of these "pistols," they could tack that charge on too. Then they said they'd allow it without any restrictions. I'm still not sure I'd want to be seen at a public range, shouldering the brace. But man, these things grow on trees now. There must be tens of millions in circulation now, so there's no way to go after everyone, if ATF changes their minds again. I get email alerts ever day from various online retailers. In fact, I think I will build one soon, as I have an extra stripped lower I want to build up, and like the idea of a non-NFA "SBR." I can always turn it into a 16" rifle with traditional butt stock, if I change my mind.

I'm thinking a AR556 Pistol would be a reasonable and cheap SHTF gun.

[gtc]

Makes about as much sense to me as the Ruger Charger... Too unwieldy to hold like a pistol, and without a stock it's not as stable as a rifle.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by legion

To strap the brace to your wrist.

Wow, I can't imagine that ever ending badly.

[Rick Lee]

I sold a complete lower to a guy last week, who brought another build to show me. It was an AR-9 pistol, had a 10" barrel and pistol brace. Very cool gun, might be on my list, since I just started stocking up on 9mm for my incoming SIG P365.

[71T Targa]

I built one 'because I could' and parts were cheep from a PSA 'Deal of the Day' It was a bit of an impulse buy to say the least.

I haven't even shot the thing. (Jeff? )

Strangely, I could hunt White Tail with it back in MN but I never would. It would be legal as a pistol in my shotgun only area.

[legion]

Originally Posted by gtc

Wow, I can't imagine that ever ending badly.

The recoil on an AR is about the same as a 10/22. That buffer tube works wonders.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

I built one 'because I could' and parts were cheep from a PSA 'Deal of the Day' It was a bit of an impulse buy to say the least.

I haven't even shot the thing. (Jeff? )

Strangely, I could hunt White Tail with it back in MN but I never would. It would be legal as a pistol in my shotgun only area.

It may be legal as a "pistol", but would it be legal in .223 / 5.56 NATO? Some states allow deer hunting with .22 caliber centerfires, but most do not.

Even if legal, the dramatically decreased velocity from that short "pistol" barrel would do nothing to help a cartridge that is pretty marginal on deer as it is, even from a full size rifle.

[71T Targa]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

It may be legal as a "pistol", but would it be legal in .223 / 5.56 NATO? Some states allow deer hunting with .22 caliber centerfires, but most do not.

Even if legal, the dramatically decreased velocity from that short "pistol" barrel would do nothing to help a cartridge that is pretty marginal on deer as it is, even from a full size rifle.

It's not what I would use, I'll stick with my 12GA, but it is legal.
A lot of guys are hunting with ARs 'Up North'.

*Edit to add that I am a one shot hunter. I've passed on a lot of deer because I wasn't sure of my shot or that it would be a clean drop.

Legal big game cartridges

It is at least .220 caliber and has center fire ignition;
It is loaded only with single projectile ammunition;
The projectile used has a soft point or is an expanding bullet type;*
The muzzleloader (long gun or handgun) used cannot be loaded at the breech (muzzleloading revolvers are not legal for taking big game);
The smooth-bore muzzleloader used is at least .45 caliber and
The rifled muzzleloader used is at least .40 caliber;
Muzzleloaders with scopes are legal during the regular firearms deer season and the muzzleloader season.

* Note: Hunters are reminded to select bullets that are suitable for taking big game. Most major manufacturers offer either bonded or all-copper bullets that are appropriate for taking big game. Hunters are advised to select a proper bullet design and weight that is suitable for humanely taking big game.

[cabmandone]

I thought it was a rifle if the stock was adjustable beyond a certain length?