Stripped Colt Lower: Pistol Build?

[TwinTurbo]

I purchased a new, never-used Colt lower from Primary Arms last year, and I decided that I want to build another AR pistol. However, I read somewhere else that Colt "registers" their lowers so that they cannot be used as a pistol, only a rifle. Since I don't trust everything I read online, I want to run this by those more knowledgeable than myself.

So, is this a bunch of hogwash? Is there any way for me to be 100% certain, or should I just contact the ATF directly?

Thanks in advance.

And before anyone else says it, Colt is overpriced and overrated!

 

[shootersix]

I purchased a new, never-used Colt lower from Primary Arms last year, and I decided that I want to build another AR pistol. However, I read somewhere else that Colt "registers" their lowers so that they cannot be used as a pistol, only a rifle. Since I don't trust everything I read online, I want to run this by those more knowledgeable than myself.

So, is this a bunch of hogwash? Is there any way for me to be 100% certain, or should I just contact the ATF directly?

Thanks in advance.

And before anyone else says it, Colt is overpriced and overrated!

if colt didn't ship it as a rifle or pistol, it shipped as "other" and sold that way, so you can build it as a pistol or rifle, when you bought it from your dealer, they marked the 4473 as "other" meaning you can build it either way

fyi you have to be 21 to buy a stripped lower because it can be built as a pistol

 

[shooter521]

I'm not sure if their practices have changed in recent years, but it used to be that Colt never sold stripped lowers; the ones you would see for sale had been disassembled from rifles, or from complete lowers that had been sold through a select few outlets like Specialized Armament. You might contact Colt customer service to find out if this is still the case, because ATF's position is "once a rifle, always a rifle," meaning that if a receiver had EVER been assembled into a rifle, it could NEVER be legally assembled into a pistol.

Colt customer service: 800-962-COLT (2658)

 

[ssgjason]

OP, It depends on which "Colt" lower you bought. If it was a lower from one of the competition series then you are good to go. If it was from (as mentioned earlier) a disassembled rifle, then you are not good to go.
Can you post a pic of the markings. If it is roll marked M4 Carbine, then you have a disassemble lower.

 

[Foxfire]

If the Op gets a stamp /SBR, doesn't that cover him if he wants to configure as a pistol?
And allows him to move it back and forth?

 

[shooter521]

If the Op gets a stamp /SBR, doesn't that cover him if he wants to configure as a pistol?
And allows him to move it back and forth?

No, the stamp allows him to build the gun as an SBR (i.e. short upper with a stock). But because that would still be a rifle, it could not be built into a pistol even if he later removed the lower from the registry.

That's my take, anyway. IANAL, etc.

 

[lizerdking]

No, the stamp allows him to build the gun as an SBR (i.e. short upper with a stock). But because that would still be a rifle, it could not be built into a pistol even if he later removed the lower from the registry.

That's my take, anyway. IANAL, etc.

So it would be an SBR missing it's stock?


Talk about murky grey areas....

 

[KG1]

I'm not sure if their practices have changed in recent years, but it used to be that Colt never sold stripped lowers; the ones you would see for sale had been disassembled from rifles, or from complete lowers that had been sold through a select few outlets like Specialized Armament. You might contact Colt customer service to find out if this is still the case, because ATF's position is "once a rifle, always a rifle," meaning that if a receiver had EVER been assembled into a rifle, it could NEVER be legally assembled into a pistol.

Colt customer service: 800-962-COLT (2658)

I think shooter nailed it here. A good rule of thumb to follow is the "once a rifle, always a rifle" phrase. The OP needs to determine the origins of that Colt lower.

The OP states that it was purchased as a "new, never used" lower. If that's the case then it could'nt have been assembled as a rifle and it should be good to go. I would still verify it though like shooter suggests.

 

[sig1473]

I'm not sure if their practices have changed in recent years, but it used to be that Colt never sold stripped lowers; the ones you would see for sale had been disassembled from rifles, or from complete lowers that had been sold through a select few outlets like Specialized Armament. You might contact Colt customer service to find out if this is still the case, because ATF's position is "once a rifle, always a rifle," meaning that if a receiver had EVER been assembled into a rifle, it could NEVER be legally assembled into a pistol.

Colt customer service: 800-962-COLT (2658)

This has been discussed over on M4Carbine.net. Colt doesn't sell stripped lowers and if they did the only person to sell them would be Ken @ SAW. And even that is debated. If your lower is the Colt Competition lower, then they were made under license by a company in Texas called Bold Ideas.

 

[shootersix]

This has been discussed over on M4Carbine.net. Colt doesn't sell stripped lowers and if they did the only person to sell them would be Ken @ SAW. And even that is debated. If your lower is the Colt Competition lower, then they were made under license by a company in Texas called Bold Ideas.

COLT AR15 STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER - NEW

 

[Thegeek]

If the Op gets a stamp /SBR, doesn't that cover him if he wants to configure as a pistol?
And allows him to move it back and forth?

Maybe he should SBR it and put a SIG brace on it.....

 

[TwinTurbo]

Thanks for all of the info, guys. Very much appreciated

This is a Colt Competition lower, as mentioned in this thread, and lacks an M4 or LE or similar marking. So, it appears I'm good to go as far as building a pistol.

 

[sig1473]

COLT AR15 STRIPPED LOWER RECEIVER - NEW

Precisely. These are not made by Colt but sourced out. From article: Bold Ideas Texas fit the bill and produces the CSR-1516, as well as other Colt-branded products, in its Breckenridge, Texas, plant under license from Colt.

The CSR-1516 5.56mm: Colt's Hot-Blooded, Cool Rifle

 

[jd4320t]

I'd build a pistol with another cheaper lower. Then either keep that one for future craziness or sell it now to whichever fanboy will pay the most.