Ar pistols legal in Texas?

[John Runner]

I want to build myself an ar-9 pistol with a KAK brace and an 11 inch barrel. I will be building this pistol on a virgin Anderson lower. Is there anything special about Texas that I need to know about before I embark on this build?

Btw, first post so howdy from Fort Worth!!!

 

[unicom]

Howdy from San Antonio. And no you don't need anything special as long as the lower was registered as a pistol

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

[TxStetson]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[John Runner]

Thanks for the replies I'm gonna go ahead and get this build rolling then!!

 

[Charlie]

Welcome! "Transferred" is the proper term if I'm not mistaken if it's from an FFL. I bought my lower from an individual (close friend) and no paperwork was involved. It was new and had never been built as a rifle or pistol when I got it. It was transferred to him from his FFL as an "other". Enjoy the build.

 

[John Runner]

My lower was also transferred and "other", just got off the phone with my FFL. I should be good then!!

 

[Charlie]

My lower was also transferred and "other", just got off the phone with my FFL. I should be good then!!

Yep! Looks like it! Enjoy!

 

[John Runner]

Thanks for all the help, I'll be sure to post pics when it's all done.

 

[sas331]

All lowers are sold as "other" so you can build a rifle or pistol. Even if you buy an ar pistol you can convert it to rifle and back to pistol and still be legal.

 

[benenglish]

All lowers are sold as "other" so you can build a rifle or pistol. Even if you buy an ar pistol you can convert it to rifle and back to pistol and still be legal.

Correct and thank you.

I have a bolt action in my collection from back before the T/C court decision. Even though it's identical to two others I have, the serial number has a "P" appended to it. The "P" lets me know that it was original papered as a pistol back before "other" was an option. The other two bolt actions have no alpha characters.

Always nice to know that, thanks to T/C, even though I know it was once built into a rifle I can still legally turn it back into a pistol.

More likely, it's another project that I'll wind up leaving to my heirs to complete.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

So I can put a magpul stock on my AR pistol, and be legal with no paperwork?

 

[smittyb]

So I can put a magpul stock on my AR pistol, and be legal with no paperwork?

If your pistol has a barrel longer than 16", yes.
If not, you must change the barrel as well but then yes.

 

[Southpaw]

Can I lawfully make a pistol into a rifle without registering that firearm?
Assuming that the firearm was originally a pistol, the resulting firearm, with an attached shoulder stock, is not an NFA firearm if it has a barrel of 16 inches or more in length. Pursuant to ATF Ruling 2011-4, such rifle may later be unassembled and again configured as a pistol. Such configuration would not be considered a “weapon made from a rifle” as defined by 26 U.S.C. § 5845(a)(4).

[26 U.S.C. § 5845, 27 C.F.R. § 479.11; ATF Ruling 2011-4]

.

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/can-i-lawfully-make-pistol-rifle-without-registering-firearm

 

[smittyb]

Hey, that's what I said.

 

[Southpaw]

Hey, that's what I said.

You ninja'd me!!!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

If your pistol has a barrel longer than 16", yes.
If not, you must change the barrel as well but then yes.

Well, I actually knew the answer to the question, but figured the OP might not, due to the fact that he asked the question to begin with.

 

[smittyb]

Well, I actually knew the answer to the question, but figured the OP might not, due to the fact that he asked the question to begin with.

I was surprised that you wouldn't know.

 

[Renegade]

Texas has a very simple definition:

(5) "Handgun" means any firearm that is designed, made, or adapted to be fired with one hand.

(3) "Firearm" means any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use. Firearm does not include a firearm that may have, as an integral part, a folding knife blade or other characteristics of weapons made illegal by this chapter and that is:

 

[Renegade]

All lowers are sold as "other" so you can build a rifle or pistol.

No.

They are sold as other because they do not fit the other two choices. Being sold as other does not allow you to build a rifle or pistol. As others said, the lower must be a virgin receiver or previously a handgun.