take out the gas tube and allow the pistol to operate via bolt action. that way the lower need not be molestered. but then you'd be restricted to10 rd mags and can't load up 30rds .

HPD will not let you register a lower as a pistol without the welded magazine the last time I checked. The rules have gotten a lot stricter since my original post.

How the fuck is HPD making  up their own laws?

non semi auto
C&Rs
16" barrels
non detachable magazines

are all non assault pistols!

so if I walk in with a AR semiautomatic which accepts a detachable magazine pistol and the barrel was 16" long they won't allow me to register it?

what do I do with it?

So welded mag, short barrel, and pistol buffer tube.  Just curious, how do you guys get past the weight and length issue?  So no muzzle device?

So welded mag, short barrel, and pistol buffer tube.  Just curious, how do you guys get past the weight and length issue?  So no muzzle device?

As my understanding if your pistol can not accept a detachable magazine then by definition it is not considered an "Assault pistol" and there for the other characteristics neednot apply.

     §134-1  Definitions.  As used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:

         "Assault pistol" means a semiautomatic pistol which accepts a detachable magazine and which has two or more of the following characteristics:

     (1)  An ammunition magazine which attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip;

     (2)  A threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel extender, flash suppressor, forward hand grip, or silencer;

     (3)  A shroud which is attached to or partially or completely encircles the barrel and which permits the shooter to hold the firearm with the second hand without being burned;

     (4)  A manufactured weight of fifty ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded;

     (5)  A centerfire pistol with an overall length of twelve inches or more; or

     (6)  It is a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm;

but does not include a firearm with a barrel sixteen or more inches in length, an antique pistol as defined in this section or a curio or relic as those terms are used in 18 United States Code §921(16) or 27 Code of Federal Regulations 178.11

I never had an AR pistol in my hands.  So how long and how heavy are these conventional AR pistols?  I quickly checked the specs on RRA AR pistol with the 7 inch barrel just for a generic comparison with what is commercially available and what one could typically build.  It was 5 pounds and 23 inches long.  I would think welding just the mag to the lower would add a few more ounces, let alone plates to box it up.  At 80 ozs and 23 inches long that is a bit heavier and longer what is written in the definition of an assault pistol.  Or are there special lightweight parts one should also purchase along with the shorter pistol buffer tube?

I am guessing the muzzle device needs to be pinned and welded, right?  Are the hand guards legal to install?

When I first read this thread last year or so, I wanted to build one.  I purchased a blem lower and started to plan out my blueprint.  I found I still would run into the weight and length roadblock.  As of a few months ago, I ditched that plan and just built another AR rifle.

         "Assault pistol" means a semiautomatic pistol which accepts a detachable magazine and which has two or more of the following characteristics:
By permanently attaching the mag you no longer have a assault pistol any other characteristic don't apply because you now have a semiautomatic break action pistol.

I am guessing the muzzle device needs to be pinned and welded, right?  Are the hand guards legal to install?

Wrong and yes. The photo of the pistol at the beginning of this thread was inspected by HPD and registered as a "semi-auto 5.56 pistol".

When I first read this thread last year or so, I wanted to build one.  I purchased a blem lower and started to plan out my blueprint.  I found I still would run into the weight and length roadblock.  As of a few months ago, I ditched that plan and just built another AR rifle.

If you comply with HPD's welded magazine requirement, I don't believe there are any restrictions on weight or length.

All six sub catagories do NOT apply if it has any one of the following characteristic :

a non detachable magazine
is a not a semi automatic
is a C&R
has a barrel at least 16"

again any of the above will void all the 6 sub catagories. (weight, treaded barrel, shroud, etc.....)

Okay, thanks.

So could you  do a non-semi ar pistol then change your mind later , weld the mag and install a gas tube?

So could you  do a non-semi ar pistol then change your mind later , weld the mag and install a gas tube?

yeap!

So could you  do a non-semi ar pistol then change your mind later , weld the mag and install a gas tube?

Based on my discussions with HPD, It's doubtful they will allow it.

 
it's written in black and white, how can it not be allowed?
HPD got some explaining to do.

HPD will not let you register a lower as a pistol without the welded magazine the last time I checked. The rules have gotten a lot stricter since my original post.

When I did mine I first brought it in as a stripped lower for a pistol and they registered it. That was in June. It's just a part and not anything yet. Then after the build I had to take it back to re reg.