I want to build a new 300 Blk AR style pistol, which is a hybrid of the DDM PDW and the MK18 by Daniel Defense.
The gun will have an AR lower, 10.3" barrel, a Maxim CQB brace, and the Law Tactical folding stock adapter.
I don’t want this to be considered a SBR because it will have no stock and no fore-grip, but what do I need to focus on with regard to Overall Length and Length of Pull in order to comply with the law? Does adding the folding stock adapter affect how these lengths are measured? Primary source citations would be appreciated here.
I don’t intend to register the gun as an SBR, so I want to be sure it continues to fit the pistol definition as I work on it.
The folding stock adapter might make your length of pull too long. I have an SBA brace so your brace might measure differently
These are videos I used to get me started. You can get bogged down digging too deep. I understand wanting to be compliant but there are sooooo many “opinions” out there. These videos are pretty straightforward
Based on what I am measuring so far, the trigger face to the end of the fully extended stock will be right at 13.5". But I’m not sure that 13.5" is the metric for LOP once the folding adapter has been added.
The ATF documentation is as vague as the weekend weatherman. If Harris/Biden do get into office they have already met with ATF with going after AR/AK style pistols as their first priority. Therefore, I would consider anything that is in place today is certainly in limbo and subject to change at any time.
With respect to the folding stock question, this is an ATF letter regarding that: atf-folded-brace_redacted.pdf (2.1 MB)
There are also active threads on this site that will help you. Go to the “find” function in the upper right hand corner of the screen and search for “Honey Badger”. You will have plenty of reading material and videos to watch for a while.
@Sheepdog556 - Based on what I’ve read today, as long as length of pull is still within 13.5", the folding stock means that you have to measure the Overall Length differently with the stock folded. Since mine will be less than 26" from receiver extension to the end of the muzzle, and since I will not have a vertical foregrip, I believe I still meet the pistol definition requirements and do not fall into the Any Other Weapon category.
If it’s an AR pistol I believe you have to measure with the stock unfolded because the firearm will not function with the stock folded.
The reason the brace isn’t added to the measurements is they are not essential to the operation of the firearm. However the buffer tube is. So I believe you still have to measure from the rear of the buffer tube with it unfolded.
It’s classic key words tricky phrases. Thats why the measurements are made from the end of the buffer tube NOT the brace fully extended.
That first Katoboy video, I believe he explains it better then I am.
When I went thru the process of assembling my AR pistol I measured everything based on what was required for the firearm to function. So from the end of the buffer tube to the trigger face for length of pull and from the end of the buffer tube to the end of the barrel for overall length.
In my OPINION you should do the same with a folding adapter you’ll be on the safer side of the measurements. My reasoning for this is because an AR will not function properly with the stock folded, the research I’ve done I have found you should measure from one end of functioning firearm to the other. Hence why the brace and muzzle device aren’t in the measurements because they are accessories.
Covid saved me money on that project. I was ready to start down the 300 blackout rabbit hole. Neighbor and I went shooting and we traded a few magazines of ammo for fun with each others guns. I was hooked pretty bad with a very similar setup
