Thumbhole stock status

redlightrich · February 17, 2018, 12:15 PM

Hello All, I am in NJ where there is no info available. One poster on a NJ firearms sights says that the State Police view it as an ordinary stock, as long as it is attached at 2 points to the rear portion.

This becomes important due to the allowable "evil features" on a semi-auto rife.

Is the thumbhole a pistol grip or not?

To me, it seems the answer would be no, but I would like a clear definition in writing. I can't find anything as it pertains to NJ.

Thank you for any help or docs that you can provide.

Rich

ammo.crafter · February 17, 2018, 12:37 PM

Can we assume your question relates to a semi-auto rifle?

I have hunted with a thumbhole stock on my Contender (single shot) rifle for years and never had an issue, whatsoever.

Since leaving the Garden State 2 years ago into the free state of Pennsylvania I have not kept up on the NJ issues.

Send an EMAIL request to the NJ State Police and see what they have to say.

You can also call Evan Nappan a NJ attorney who specializes in N J gun issues.

Personally, I do not see a thumbhole stock as a pistol grip simply due to its design.

redlightrich · February 19, 2018, 08:36 AM

Thank you Ammo.. I have Evan Nappen's book, and can't find it. Yes, I am speaking about using it on a 10/22 Ruger semi auto 22lr rifle.

I wan't to re-barrel it, and if I do, I want a threaded barrel.

If a thumbhole IS a pistol grip, on a semi, then it is illegal to have a threaded barrel.

If a thumbhole is just a stock, then the barrel is only 1 evil feature, and OK by NJ law.

I will write the State Police as you said. Maybe this is as close to finding the answer in writing as I will get.

Rich

Pahoo · February 19, 2018, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Thank you Ammo.. I have Evan Nappen's book, and can't find it. Yes, I am speaking about using it on a 10/22 Ruger semi auto 22lr rifle.

In my book, this is a good call and no, it's not considered a pistol grip, primarily because you still have a section of stock, going from the bottom of the grip, to the rest of the butt-stock. The grip is still part of the stock .....

Might add that Boyds sells a bunch of these stocks, not only for the 10/22 but other rifles. You may want to see what they say....

Might add that some folks love them and others hate them. I do not prefer them on hunting rifles but really like them, on the bench. ....

Be Safe !!!

**44 AMP** · February 20, 2018, 02:20 AM

I would caution you against relying only on what the police tell you. Even the State Police. They may give you valid information, or they may give you information that they believe is valid, and is in some manner incorrect.

If they do give you bad info, its still your responsibility to obey the law. And I doubt that "I did what the State Police told me" will be enough for an acquittal, though it might help mitigate your sentence somewhat.

Might.

If you got it in writing on their letterhead... etc.

you are in a state with a reputation for zealous prosecution of violations of gun laws (intentional or otherwise), so I would recommend you get qualified legal advice, and get it on record. (something like a letter from the Attorney General's office stating what is, and is not in compliance with NJ law, would be a good thing to have.)

It sucks that you would have to do something like that to be sure of being legal, but it sucks worse being prosecuted, even if charges eventually get dropped. And of course if you get convicted, its bye bye to your guns (for life) and the end of life as you currently know it.

The police will probably give you good advice, but, if you count only on that, you are rolling the dice with your future.

Good Luck.

**Aguila Blanca** · February 20, 2018, 09:16 AM

I'm pretty certain that a thumbhole stock is prohibited in states like Connecticut, New York, and possibly a few others since the post-Sandy Hook laws were enacted. I don't think it's prohibited under federal law, but each state has its own definitions. Consult a firearms attorney in your state.

February 17, 2018, 12:15 PM	#1
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	Thumbhole stock status Hello All, I am in NJ where there is no info available. One poster on a NJ firearms sights says that the State Police view it as an ordinary stock, as long as it is attached at 2 points to the rear portion. This becomes important due to the allowable "evil features" on a semi-auto rife. Is the thumbhole a pistol grip or not? To me, it seems the answer would be no, but I would like a clear definition in writing. I can't find anything as it pertains to NJ. Thank you for any help or docs that you can provide. Rich

February 17, 2018, 12:37 PM	#2
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	thumb Can we assume your question relates to a semi-auto rifle? I have hunted with a thumbhole stock on my Contender (single shot) rifle for years and never had an issue, whatsoever. Since leaving the Garden State 2 years ago into the free state of Pennsylvania I have not kept up on the NJ issues. Send an EMAIL request to the NJ State Police and see what they have to say. You can also call Evan Nappan a NJ attorney who specializes in N J gun issues. Personally, I do not see a thumbhole stock as a pistol grip simply due to its design. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

February 20, 2018, 02:20 AM	#5
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,846	I would caution you against relying only on what the police tell you. Even the State Police. They may give you valid information, or they may give you information that they believe is valid, and is in some manner incorrect. If they do give you bad info, its still your responsibility to obey the law. And I doubt that "I did what the State Police told me" will be enough for an acquittal, though it might help mitigate your sentence somewhat. Might. If you got it in writing on their letterhead... etc. you are in a state with a reputation for zealous prosecution of violations of gun laws (intentional or otherwise), so I would recommend you get qualified legal advice, and get it on record. (something like a letter from the Attorney General's office stating what is, and is not in compliance with NJ law, would be a good thing to have.) It sucks that you would have to do something like that to be sure of being legal, but it sucks worse being prosecuted, even if charges eventually get dropped. And of course if you get convicted, its bye bye to your guns (for life) and the end of life as you currently know it. The police will probably give you good advice, but, if you count only on that, you are rolling the dice with your future. Good Luck. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 19, 2018, 08:36 AM	#3
redlightrich Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2016 Posts: 323	Thank you Ammo.. I have Evan Nappen's book, and can't find it. Yes, I am speaking about using it on a 10/22 Ruger semi auto 22lr rifle. I wan't to re-barrel it, and if I do, I want a threaded barrel. If a thumbhole IS a pistol grip, on a semi, then it is illegal to have a threaded barrel. If a thumbhole is just a stock, then the barrel is only 1 evil feature, and OK by NJ law. I will write the State Police as you said. Maybe this is as close to finding the answer in writing as I will get. Rich

February 20, 2018, 09:16 AM	#6
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	I'm pretty certain that a thumbhole stock is prohibited in states like Connecticut, New York, and possibly a few others since the post-Sandy Hook laws were enacted. I don't think it's prohibited under federal law, but each state has its own definitions. Consult a firearms attorney in your state.