Oh Shoot

  Just depends on manufacturer and even time span made in. Certainly plenty of examples of catastrophic failure with some of them.   I had an Omni chip out part of take down detente/spring channel. Still worked, but sent it back, they replaced it, long story, but I sold it to the FFL where they sent it without taking possession. Only bought it cause was during the panic and only one I could get for less than arm and leg when I needed it, but still cost more than even a standard aluminum one is worth during "normal" times.   - OS

Only the short barrel is possibly an issue. In your situation the side trunnion and/or extra stock has a legal use, not solely an illegal one.     A 16" barrel of course presents no issues whatsoever, regardless of whatever else you may possess.   - OS

  If your raw receiver proves to be kosher as is as a legal pistol host, that will cover the short barrel.   The side mounted stock attachment is not an issue period, short barrel or not,  even if it will only accept one type of stock you possess,  as could  be configured with your rifle parts to make a legal folding stock rifle, eh?   Remember, a grouping of parts must have useful purpose ONLY for making an NFA firearm.   It all hinges on legitimacy of your receiver at this point as related to the short barrel. Is it a big deal to just get it bent and drilled so that it is a true "firearm"? Or as I said, call and ask if it qualifies in its present condition (which admittedly, a field agent may not even know either).   - OS

Good Lord, ABC national news just featured it as "groundbreaking" or some such.   edit: looks like will of course be featured rave on MSNBC prime time lineup tonight too, Rev. Al just kicked it off.   It's no different than many other states, 'bout same as here too. Guess I keep getting surprised that I keep getting surprised about the absurd coverage on gun issues by MSM.   - OS

  I found it truly bizarre, couldn't grok it on any level.   - OS

I think it would behoove us all to be "multi-dextrous", ya never know when you might need it:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlMz2sCDCA4   - OS

  Proof that a feller can learn something from even the most absurd threads on TGO!   - OS

  Yeah was my thought but they got into AK tech stuff about trunnion/headspace stuff I don't understand, seemed there was some tech reason work would have to be done twice or something?   But really, if that receiver were just in condition to be used, it would cover the bases of also having the short barrel along with assembled rifle, just as a virgin stripped AR lower does same, just dunno about one being in "non-firearm" form like a flat or blank.   - OS

  Not sure I would toss it, seems to be a real rarity if not actual unicorn.   - OS

  Yeah, it's like shooting a .22 now, comfort-wise.   Was just a bit loose on mine, didn't take much drag against something to pull it off. Couple squares of double sided tape cures that if yours is too.   I didn't realize till someone told me on another forum, but this is apparently modeled after an actual pad that was issued for use with grenade launcher.   - OS

  Yep, I traded the Colt Army I bought new for it!   - OS

I did get popped for car carry in '95 here.  Long story, but one of the few times I had a handgun in car that wasn't loaded. But the carts were in same bag as the revolver.   They dropped it, but I didn't get the gun back. And it was a relatively rare heater too, a beautiful stainless Ruger Redhawk .357.   - OS

Well, I'm beginning to think the thing really actually may be abnormally worn somehow. Maybe a glitch with the casting process or something.   I think the only thing you haven't actually done is remove the gas key, if you want to be absolutely empirical about it.   - OS

  Parents, relatives, anybody that doesn't own a rifle it could fit on.   Look, the flat may well suffice for a legal pistol configuration -- call yer regional ATF field agent and ask, no kidding. I've found them quite willing to help, not the ogres of internet lore, and they didn't ask for my name or anything,  have called maybe five times. Buy a $6 pre-paid throwaway cell phone with cash if you'd worry about them tracing the call and conducting a raid. :)   - OS

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sncs4rlojSo   - OS

What are the odds of it being that right on? Wow.   I recently put on an UTG side mounted scope rail on my AK and added a cheap 4x scope on that. I noted that the rail does not sit perfectly centered over the dust cover or barrel. Since I had already been through something similar with one of Mike.357's .22 rifles where the built into receiver dovetail rail was not aligned with the barrel, and we couldn't compensate enough with his scope to get it on target, I had my doubts my deal would work either.   Figgered since rail sat a bit shaded to left side, indeed lined up best with left side of front fixed sight guard, figgered I'd have to crank windage way over to right, if indeed there was enough travel adjustment in the scope to compensate at all.   First shot at 50 yards, 2 or 3 inches to the RIGHT. I actually had to come back a relatively small bit to LEFT with adjustment, and then all good. Go figger.   - OS

  A conviction for illegal carry/possession would not be a disqualifying conviction for getting an HCP, btw. 'Course, as you mention, you'd have to buy another gun to carry. :)   - OS

Good going. If the polymer lower hangs in there,  it'll likely kill about as many zeds as a high end one.   - OS

  Well, you know the odds are so long against any trouble that they're almost hypothetical, and "constructive possession" stuff is generally only used as "add on" charges when folks are already under suspicion and busted for something else anyway.   That said, don't take that as any kind of legal advice for Gawd's sake. Certainly a legal 16" barrel offers no chance of any kind of violation, that's clear. Myself, I'd likely just stash the short barrel with a friend or relative which it couldn't affect until time to deal with it. It's long odds and a stupid rule to begin with, but the penalty can be harsh, and any chance of it easily avoided no matter how small the chances.   That has often been suggested as a parallel, but if you think about it, a hacksaw has clearly useful purposes other than making an NFA firearm. :) Seriously, even if it were stashed in your rifle bag, who's to say you weren't thinking about sawing off the trigger guard or a bit of the pistol grip or something, also useful purposes other than making an NFA firearm. :) Also, though, and more seriously, pretty far fetched to think it would be upheld as a "part" as the ruling states. - OS

Maybe NAA should market a Snatch System for carrying those puppies that way.   - OS

  Existence of the modern Democratic Party is proof that few if any are.   - OS

  Yowsa, now that is nifty!   - OS

  No idea on that little bit of esoterica, because I don't know what the status is of an AK flat, or 80% unfinished AR lower, meaning since it is not yet a "firearm", would it suffice for covering the legal status of having a short barrel laying around?   On one hand, seems that it would, since ATF has no problem assuming you can easily enough manhandle and rearrange any already constructed firearms to be in violation, including ones with pressed in barrels that are riveted together -- on the other hand, AK flats/receiver blanks and AR 80%ers are allowed to be sold unregulated precisely because they are not "firearms", so again, no idea.   - OS

  Who makes a barrel?   - OS

  Was unclear to me whether he has virgin receiver or existing pistol or existing rifle, would have short barrel for awhile, or what, so I've not even been commenting on his particular situation -- I only got involved in response to your post 14.   - OS