Title says it all

An 80% lower is a paper weight.

Once it's build out, the configuration in which it is first assembled dictates what it is.

If you first assemble it as a pistol, it's a pistol.

If you first assemble it as a rifle, it's a rifle.

Same thing applies to any stripped lower that's purchases as a "receiver".

What he said.

Who in this world would know what its original paring was? There are no numbers on a finished 80

I have never purchased a complete pistol or rifle......all parts.....every time

So in other words it's whatever I want it to be as my AR collection is modular

I'll skip running a sub 16 on a completed 80 just to avoid any stormtrooper problems

I just quoted you the laws as interpreted by the the ATF.

How you choose to follow or violate them is up to you.

So you see my point.......or maybe not

In a modular system with no records as to what configuration said lower is or was there is a masive flaw that is entirely in the honor system of the owner

If you claim it was first assembled as a pistol at a time when you didn't have a pistol length barrel and pistol buffer tube, some ambitious agent with it out for you could try to make a case...or if you pissed off someone who knew other wise. Of course as you mention, the lack of records would prevent an obstacle to "proof beyond a reasonable doubt".

True and True

best to stay on the up and up

For a owners protection a digital poto would watermark the date

Heck.....Im spooked to put a Sig brace on a pistol if or when I put one together

I originally planned to build a Sig brace rig. I assembled it that way, so it was first assembled as a pistol, and then reassembled it with a 16" Wilson Combat ultra-light barrel and collapsible stock. I just don't see enough reason to play in the grey areas.

Same here

It's just not wirth the risk.....if any

There different rules for selling pistols and rifles. When a mfg sells a firearm such as a stripped lower they have to spec it as a pistol or a rifle so the buyer and the seller can follow the correct procedure. That means rifle lowers can't be built into pistols. Pistol lowers can be built into rifles thought they are treated by the law as pistols.

You can build pistols and rifles from 80% lowers. I think you need to mark them as either a pistol or a rifle an the law will treat them as such.

Of all the stripped lowers I have bought I have never been asked in what way I would be using it

Per usual, Conrad is just wrong.

Everyone I've purchased has been marked "receiver".

Who is Conrad

You think so?

I know this is an old thread but you are incorrect. An UNREGISTERED fire arm is anything you want it to be. Thats the point of an UNREGISTERED fire arm. So long as what ever you build is legal for you to own you are just fine. If you have a lower with a serial number, then its either registered as a pistol or a rifle

Registration??

We don't need no stinking registration.

Form 4473 is not "registration".

In addition, legally, you are just flat out wrong. Regardless of serial number, a built out 80% receiver is NOT, "what ever you want it to be".

I suggest you familiarize yourself the proper terms, and actual text of the ATF regulations.

Also

I just purchased several stripped lowers in one large lot

They were NOT registered as pistol or rifle ..... not a single one from the lot