I just completed registering three Aero Precision lower receivers as pistol receivers. These are NOT special pistol marked receivers. I ordered two non anodized lowers directly from Aero Precision, and purchased one anodized receiver from Kaneohe Gun Shop's stock since Daniel was the FFL handling the transaction. I submitted the attached ATF letter, filled out the applications to acquire, then waited about 90 minutes while calls were made to Daniel and the ATF. They had to verify with Daniel that the lowers were never called rifles on any paper work. I'm not sure what they discussed with the ATF. The guy at the window told me if I don't hear from them with problems, then they will see me in two weeks. Well the two weeks went by, I picked up the permits, picked up the lowers and registered them today. I would hope this will make it easier for others to do the same. Since I did register one lower purchased from local stock, that should demonstrate any receiver can be registered as a pistol receiver as long as it was never registered as a rifle. 

Way to go!
Told ya , no problems registering lowers as pistols.

They call the ATF if they have a "iffy" item not covered in HRS. Federal laws are much more relaxed.

Good to know. Thnx

Thanks for the info on the registration hope to see some completed hardware soon and thanks for  the shout out on the other terminology 

What is legal barrel length for these pistols? Or can it be anything since its not an assault pistol anymore.

Barrel length does not matter because its not a definition of an assault pistol.

Sick!!! Thanks.

Thanks for posting. BTW, that letter is old. There should a newer letter that will state that you can go from a pistol to a rifle, and back again.

ETA: Attached ATF Ruling 2011-4. Firearms starting as a pistol can be converted to a rifle and back to a pistol, but not the other way around.

Thanks for posting. BTW, that letter is old. There should a newer letter that will state that you can go from a pistol to a rifle, and back again.

ETA: Attached ATF Ruling 2011-4. Firearms starting as a pistol can be converted to a rifle and back to a pistol, but not the other way around.

Way to much to read now.
Let me read it and post a response.

One more question. Do you have to apply for a pistol permit for this, or can you purchase the lower then register it as a pistol. Sounds like you need a pistol permit from your post. Just clarifying

One more question. Do you have to apply for a pistol permit for this, or can you purchase the lower then register it as a pistol. Sounds like you need a pistol permit from your post. Just clarifying

Same procedure as buying a handgun. Three visits to HPD with a two week waiting period in between.

You were able to register the lower as a pistol without having the magazine already permanently attached for them to see? I asked the guys at the window last week about this very thing and they told me "couldn't hurt to try" my intent tho is to mill out an 80% lower and permanently attach a magazine prior to ever going down to hpd to avoid needing a specially marked lower.

Also, at kgs, Daniel didn't give you a hard time about buying a lower reciever without showing your long gun license but showing your handgun affidavit? I think I'll go down to kgs today and purchase a stripped lower. Also, how do you intend to purchase a complete pistol length upper. I don't think many of the online places that generally sell uppers like psa and jse will ship one because they don't understand this loophole we have here.

12" PSA Upper on sale today

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-chf-12-5-56mm-1-7-a2-profile-upper.html

I don't think they will ship that item to Hawaii. When you go through the checkout process they have a list of states they can not shop certain items to. I tried to order 30 round ar magazines from them and they wouldn't ship them. They even charged me a restocking fee when they refunded after they didn't send them.

Just left kgs. Have a declared ar pistol lower on the way.

Just got my permit to acquire from hpd without issue. In and out in 10 mins.

Same procedure as buying a handgun. Three visits to HPD with a two week waiting period in between.

If I have a stripped receiver that I already registered at HPD can I turn it into a pistol?

yes, as long as the receiver never had a stock installed.

yes, as long as the receiver never had a stock installed.

I'm not sure if that is the way that it works. The reason I think that is because I couldn't just buy a stripped lower off of Daniels shelf because they were already declared rifles at hpd. Daniel had to bring in a serialized lower that had never been declared to hpd and then declare it a pistol lower.