It is absolutely designed to discourage people. I’m just stubborn and I don’t let it discourage me. #%^* them. There was a period during the last Bush administration that I got several approved in 8 weeks. Those days are long gone. But it’s been a year many other periods.

 

Wait a year? Forget about it.

 

Except for the cool factor not worth the time or money. I believe you can buy and own a SB upper without the tax or paperwork, you just can’t mount it to your lower and use it. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

 

Depending on the circumstances it can be the crime of constructive possession.

 

Which type of SBR? For AR’s it makes sense to e-file a Form 1, and those get approved in three weeks. Then it is engraved and assembled. (Unless local laws have other restrictions anyway).

 

For some people the shorter length, lighter weight. and balance are very functional improvements due to orthopedic damage.

 

I was looking at an Auto Ordnance Thompson in GI configuration with the 10.5" barrel. Semi-auto SBR.

 

I have one. Bought it as a pistol, 10.5” barrel. E-filed for a Form 1 to “make” an SBR. Approved in three weeks. Had it engraved, bolted a WWII buttstock to it. Lots of fun.

 

Wow! Would not have thought of that. Thanks!

What has to be "engraved"??

 

whatever the serial numbered part is. For an AR many have the lower inside flared lip of magwell done. There are certain size fonts and certain depths it must be done to. Not just scribble on it. But somebody familiar with it can engrave it in a way to where it is unnoticeable.
Name of individual or trust which it is to be registered to is what actually needs to be engraved on it.

 

In my case starting out with a pistol already engraved by Auto Ordnance, I had to have my “maker” trust’s name and city engraved on it before adding the buttstock. There are some internet myths that engraving is not required but it is mandatory.

 

I have a consecutive pair of SBR Thompsons I am waiting to be approved.....
I was hoping for a fun Christmas doesn't sound like it is going to happen....
Maybe by Easter.....

 

Wow a years wait..

 

Watching the Rittenhouse trial what is a "short barrel" rifle??

 

A rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches.

 

I'm content with a 7.5" barreled AR Pistol. If there ever comes a time, battlefield pick ups become an attractive option.

That F-16 may become a little difficult though.

 

My Form 1 for a Thompson SMG took five months in 2020 (June to November). The current wait is probably longer. You might want to do some surfing on Machinegunboards.com to see what information is out there.

If you really want one, I say go for it.

 

There are a few negatives to the NFA game...

1. Cost = $200 per item > Not that big of a deal IMO but it does add up the more stamps you get.

2. Wait times > varies greatly depending on a number of variables. Shortest wait I've had was 3 weeks for a mail in form1 about 10 years ago. Longest was over a year for a form3 around the time 41F went into effect. While I will admit, the times suck but I don't worry about this part. I just send in the paperwork and forget about it.

3. Restrictions > NFA items do have some additional restrictions placed on them compared to standard firearms regarding things like interstate travel, other peoples access (no lending it out to someone not on the trust). Once in your possession, you can not just give it or sell it to someone like you can a standard firearm. The whole process has to be repeated to change ownership.

There are some other little things to but probably the biggest being...

4. The principal of it > I find the whole NFA thing arbitrary and unconstitutional. A rifle with a barrel less then 16" (or a shotgun with a barrel less then 18") isn't more deadly or dangerous so why does anybody care? Why are suppressors regulated at all? In this day and age of health concerns about everything, suppressors should be encouraged for everybody to use, definitely not regulated.

That said, as someone who has close to 10 stamps currently (including 2 SBRs), I guess its fair to say the negatives do not outweigh the positives for me.

A lot of it comes down to your own personal situation and needs? The travel restrictions can be a real PITA if you travel out of state often (and to numerous different destinations) with your firearms but if you never leave your state then it really doesn't matter. Suppressors are great, especially for calibers that can be commonly found in subsonic loads like 22lr, 9mm, 45acp, 300blk, etc. but if the only place you have to shoot is a public range where you are going to have to wear earpro anyway then arguably there is little point out side of HD needs?

Because of all that, I do not try to talk anybody into or out of the NFA game. I would just say this... The cost of the tax stamp and the wait times are pretty minor and not a good reason not to do it IMO. Meaning... educate yourself on the whole process and all of the rules and regulations and then figure out your own needs/wants and decide for your self if the hassle is worth it but If at the end of that, the only thing holding you back is cost and/or wait times then I'd say ignore that noise and proceed. The extra time and money is meaningless in the grand scheme of things and will be quickly forgotten.

One last thing, if you are going to go down this path, absolutely get a trust first written specifically for this purpose. Do not file as an individual, or use those "one-shot" trusts. A real trust gives you a lot more flexibility, especially if you have family members that you also want to use or have access to your NFA items or be able to pass these item on to them after your gone.

 

My first tax stamp was for a 9" Zastava Yugo M-92 that I built from a parts kit, ~ 12 or so years ago. The process was around 30 days or so. Real easy.
The next one was on a YHM supressor in 2018. That one took over 7 months. I just set the whole idea aside until the dealer called with the approval.
I expect that after the BATFE is done with us, all the AR pistols w/ stabilizing brace will be subject to NFA SBR regulation or forfeiture and criminal prosecution. Once the dust settles on that issue, I will file for tax stamps for the rest of ' em. Meanwhile I have removed the 'offending' dreaded, deadly (un-serialized, unregulated)stabilizing braces that I legally purchased and used for all legitimate purposes.
The whole notion is ridiculous, actually.
This is what it has come to.
Bernie Goetz was right.
And so was Kyle Rittenhouse.

 

The ATF agents have been working from home during the Covid. Not sure of their current status, but waiting times have extended during the last 7 or 8 months. A year seems to be the status quo at the moment.

 

A year seems to be the status quo at the moment.

That sucks but look at it this way... you can either A. Spend a year waiting to get your stamp back or B. You can spend another year thinking about how nice it would be to have a suppressor, SBR or whatever. In the end, only option A actually gets you something.

 

I Bought the lower receiver, did the e-file form 1 stating me as a manufacturer. Paid via credit card payment, sent in my fingerprint cards after they sent me a cover letter. 10 days later I got my tax stamp via e-mail printed it out. In the mean time I got my lower engraved. On day 11 I installed my short barreled upper to my tax stamped receiver. Took 10 days and $200 for the stamp. Or you can wait 11 months for a form 4 to come back.

 

I'm convinced that form 1 is the way to go. Curious as to how those of you have successfully "made" an SBR filled out block 4(i) "Specify why you intend to make firearm". I'm inclined to say "Because I can" but I don't think the powers that be would appreciate that...

Hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

 

Not sure? I don’t have mine handy but I believe we used ‘for personal use’.
Somebody will answer shortly

 

“For all lawful purposes”

 

Just put a “brace” instead of a “stock” on your short barrel AR and be done. Now you have an AR pistol which is completely legal. The “brace“ can be purchased for around $20-30 and you can’t tell the difference when you fire the weapon. No stamps, no paperwork, none of that junk.

 

Braces are on their way out. The ATF’s proposed rule making will redefine them as stocks. In addition to that there is always the risk of state prosecutors deciding to file charges on the position that a brace is a shoulder stock. There are multiple reasons why doing the NFA process is worthwhile. But everyone has to make their own decisions.

 

Not interested in SBR AR. Thompson M-1 (semi-auto) to go with my WWII firearms. (Winchester M-1 Garand, Winchester M-1 carbine, Remington 1903A3, Ithaca 1911) Going to follow the NFA process in any case.

Thanks for all of the replies.