Where can I find info on the legality of modifications

Tinker fan · July 8, 2016, 03:44 PM

Hey guys,
I really enjoy modifying firearms, theres just something about starting with a brand new stock gun and transforming it peice by peice into something special. Most of the time I dont worry much about modifications because in the past they have been simple little things like changing out a stock, or adding a scope. Nothing all that crazy. Now Ive hit a point where one of my firearms I want to go the more tactical route, but i dont want to break the law. My state is pretty relaxed about gun laws, but I want to make sure things are federally legal before I make any modifications. Things like verticle front grips, high capacity magazines and that realm of things is where my knowledge gets fuzzy. I want to modify this gun without crossing any lines, so I can still take it to the range without problems, or heaven forbid get charged with a crime. Id love resources for me to study up on more than a list of legal and illegal modifications.

raimius · July 8, 2016, 05:31 PM

At the federal level, the NFA and 922(r) for imported firearms are the prominent pieces of law.

kilimanjaro · July 8, 2016, 06:57 PM

If you want to modify an imported rifle, the 922(r) regulations are crucial to know.

kozak6 · July 9, 2016, 12:47 AM

At the federal level, for a rifle, it's not too bad.

If it's a rifle, it needs to have at least a 16" barrel and at least 26" overall length. Your intended rifle is likely rifled and under .50 caliber, so that makes things easier.

For a domestically produced rifle, threaded barrels, pistol grips, hi-cap mags, none of it matters. 922r is only an issue for imported rifles.

If it's a pistol, it can be a little more complicated.

What kind of firearm and configuration did you have in mind?

Jim March · July 10, 2016, 01:35 PM

My modified revolver:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...-fed-revolver/

July 8, 2016, 03:44 PM	#1
Tinker fan Junior Member Join Date: July 3, 2016 Posts: 1	Where can I find info on the legality of modifications Hey guys, I really enjoy modifying firearms, theres just something about starting with a brand new stock gun and transforming it peice by peice into something special. Most of the time I dont worry much about modifications because in the past they have been simple little things like changing out a stock, or adding a scope. Nothing all that crazy. Now Ive hit a point where one of my firearms I want to go the more tactical route, but i dont want to break the law. My state is pretty relaxed about gun laws, but I want to make sure things are federally legal before I make any modifications. Things like verticle front grips, high capacity magazines and that realm of things is where my knowledge gets fuzzy. I want to modify this gun without crossing any lines, so I can still take it to the range without problems, or heaven forbid get charged with a crime. Id love resources for me to study up on more than a list of legal and illegal modifications.

July 10, 2016, 01:35 PM	#5
Jim March Senior Member Join Date: February 14, 1999 Location: Pittsburg, CA, USA Posts: 7,417	My modified revolver: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2...-fed-revolver/ __________________ Jim March

July 8, 2016, 05:31 PM	#2
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	At the federal level, the NFA and 922(r) for imported firearms are the prominent pieces of law.

July 8, 2016, 06:57 PM	#3
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	If you want to modify an imported rifle, the 922(r) regulations are crucial to know.

July 9, 2016, 12:47 AM	#4
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	At the federal level, for a rifle, it's not too bad. If it's a rifle, it needs to have at least a 16" barrel and at least 26" overall length. Your intended rifle is likely rifled and under .50 caliber, so that makes things easier. For a domestically produced rifle, threaded barrels, pistol grips, hi-cap mags, none of it matters. 922r is only an issue for imported rifles. If it's a pistol, it can be a little more complicated. What kind of firearm and configuration did you have in mind?