On a side note, I have a registration form that shows my Sig P227 .45ACP is a semi auto rifle,P227,4.50".      I'm surprised I haven't had SWAT at my door looking for my illegal 4.5" barrel SBR!   

HPD makes mistakes.

that's why I always check the paper they print out before leaving and the tablet before signing.  When I got my bolt action Ruger RPRR (22), they described it as semi-auto rifle.  They corrected it. 

But my other friend was registering a G17 and they labeled it a G19.  He told them at the window that they need to correct it.  The guy at the window told him, no worries, it's fine. He had to tell the officer, it's not fine.  We're dealing with firearms.  Officer still said, no need fix it.  He then had to tell him again that we're dealing with firearms and all paperwork needs to be correct, so fix it.  So then the officer did.  Seems like he was to lazy to correct it.

Sorry to bring this post up from the dead, but I thought my question might be fitting. I recently ordered a stripped lower for my ar build. By the time my appointment came with HPD to register, I had already built out the lower. Noticed that they put "rifle receiver" as the classification. I'm assuming this is because I had a stock installed.

My question is, I have another stripped lower coming in, and wanted to explore the option of building a pistol in the future. Legally of course, with a fixed magazine and/or no gas block. I've talked to my FFL and he told me that he registers it as simply "receiver" with no designation., but does note that he does designate semi-auto. When I go down to HPD to register, can I mention that it should be registered as a receiver only, and not a rifle receiver? Thanks 

Sorry to bring this post up from the dead, but I thought my question might be fitting. I recently ordered a stripped lower for my ar build. By the time my appointment came with HPD to register, I had already built out the lower. Noticed that they put "rifle receiver" as the classification. I'm assuming this is because I had a stock installed.

My question is, I have another stripped lower coming in, and wanted to explore the option of building a pistol in the future. Legally of course, with a fixed magazine and/or no gas block. I've talked to my FFL and he told me that he registers it as simply "receiver" with no designation., but does note that he does designate semi-auto. When I go down to HPD to register, can I mention that it should be registered as a receiver only, and not a rifle receiver? Thanks 

As long as the serial number is registered with HPD, the classification is normally no big deal.  Whether HPD registers as "Rifle receiver". "Pistol Receiver" or "Receiver Only" is not as important as which box the FFL checks.  That's the official classification.  HPD should make sure they match that, and YOU need to make sure your ATF and HPD forms don't have "rifle" if you want to build a pistol.  If your ATF paperwork says "Long Gun" or "Rifle", you can't technically build it as a pistol without creating a Short Barrel Rifle (illegal in HI).

If, however, the receiver is registered as a pistol, you can legally replace the pistol upper with a rifle upper.  The general advice it to not install the rifle stock to the receiver with the pistol upper attached.  Remove the pistol upper, install the stock, and attach the rifle upper.

The FFL can check one or more of 3 boxes on the 4473:  Handgun, Long Gun and/or Other (includes receiver).  If they only check the third box, you should be able to have it registered as "Receiver only", giving you the flexibility to choose later what to build it as.  if they check that box and Long Gun, too, then you're stuck with building a rifle, and the HPD forms should say "Rifle receiver".
 

As long as the serial number is registered with HPD, the classification is normally no big deal.  Whether HPD registers as "Rifle receiver". "Pistol Receiver" or "Receiver Only" is not as important as which box the FFL checks.  That's the official classification.  HPD should make sure they match that, and YOU need to make sure your ATF and HPD forms don't have "rifle" if you want to build a pistol.  If your ATF paperwork says "Long Gun" or "Rifle", you can't technically build it as a pistol without creating a Short Barrel Rifle (illegal in HI).

If, however, the receiver is registered as a pistol, you can legally replace the pistol upper with a rifle upper.  The general advice it to not install the rifle stock to the receiver with the pistol upper attached.  Remove the pistol upper, install the stock, and attach the rifle upper.

The FFL can check one or more of 3 boxes on the 4473:  Handgun, Long Gun and/or Other (includes receiver).  If they only check the third box, you should be able to have it registered as "Receiver only", giving you the flexibility to choose later what to build it as.  if they check that box and Long Gun, too, then you're stuck with building a rifle, and the HPD forms should say "Rifle receiver".

Got it. I think haha. FFL confirmed he will only check the third box, so regardless of what HPD puts on my registration as long as the original 4473 states “receiver only“ I should be ok right?

If is decide to proceed with the pistol build, will I need to go back to HPD to reclassify it as a pistol, and apply for a pistol permit? I was under the assumption that without the magazine being permanently affixed, it would be moot to bring back the stripped receiver to have them reclassify.

Seems like it’s a grey area once the initial registration is completed . As long as a brace is attached in lieu of a stock, and all paperwork omits the word pistol, feels like it might be ok?

Got it. I think haha. FFL confirmed he will only check the third box, so regardless of what HPD puts on my registration as long as the original 4473 states “receiver only“ I should be ok right?

If is decide to proceed with the pistol build, will I need to go back to HPD to reclassify it as a pistol, and apply for a pistol permit? I was under the assumption that without the magazine being permanently affixed, it would be moot to bring back the stripped receiver to have them reclassify.

Seems like it’s a grey area once the initial registration is completed . As long as a brace is attached in lieu of a stock, and all paperwork omits the word pistol, feels like it might be ok?

They used to not have "receiver" as "other" on the 4473, so the FFL had to pick Handgun or Long Gun, and HPD would follow that adding "Receiver" to their form's description.

Now that the receiver can be "Other: Receiver", it makes the state registration more flexible for the buyer.  Of course, the state hates allowing the gun owner to have options.  That equates to less legal control.

Until HPD fixes their procedures, they are still going to want to label it Handgun or Rifle, just to make their job easier.

If you intend to make, or want the option to make, a pistol, make sure they add that to the registration if they must add something,  Otherwise, leaving the receiver type undefined or as "Other:" is the best option.