Magpul AFG On A "Pistol"

[Darrell]

Interesting Oleg Volk post, with pics of course, of a tricked out Kel-Tec PLR16. Among other things, it's wearing a Magpul Angled Fore Grip. An attached link at the article goes to a PDF of a letter from the ATF, saying that the AFG is legal on the pistol. I'd been wondering if it were okay... maybe now I can put one on mine.

http://olegvolk.net/blog/2011/10/04/sma ... wer-plr16/

ETA: I forgot to credit Uncle for direction to the article above.

[Dub_James]

Nice - the AFG addition might make a pistol AR more viable as a useable platform.

[HTRN]

A thought occured to me, could that be construed as a pistol grip? because a forward grip on pistols without a tax stamp is a major nono.

It's such a shame changing PLR barrels is a pain in the ass, one in 300-221/300 Whisper/300 Blackout would be kinda nifty.

[Jered]

A thought occured to me, could that be construed as a pistol grip? because a forward grip on pistols without a tax stamp is a major nono.

And as I have explained to you, literally a dozen times over the past five years (because you say the same thing every time it comes up, and I correct you... and everyone else who says it, every time it comes up), that is no longer true; pursuant to the two cases in Tennessee and the case in Arkansas. The ATF has issued several memorandums of understanding on the matter.

Vertical foregrips are fine on pistols, and do not make them into AOWs, so long as they are aftermarket accessories of a modular nature (they must be readily removable with hand tools). A pistol is only made into an AOW by a VFG if it is manufactured in that condition, and adding one on after original manufacture doesn't count as newly manufacturing it, so long as it is not permanently affixed (bolting one on is not sufficient. It would need to be glued, pinned, or welded).

Also, that isn't even relevant to the AFG, as it isn't considered a "vertical pistol style grip for grasping with the non-shooting hand" (the ATF definition of a VFG), which is in fact pointed out in the original post, with a link to the copy of the ATF letter saying so.

Dude... you're smarter than this... what the hell... every damn time...

Do you have some links to those rulings? I have a friend with a PLR-16 that wants to put a vertical foregrip on it.

[HTRN]

It took me a little while, but I did some digging - apparently BATFE has ruled the Magpul AFG not an angled foregrip - see the end of this letter, so it's good to go.

[Darrell]

That's the same ATF letter linked in the original Oleg Volk post.

[Legman688]

And as I have explained to you, literally a dozen times over the past five years (because you say the same thing every time it comes up, and I correct you... and everyone else who says it, every time it comes up), that is no longer true; pursuant to the two cases in Tennessee and the case in Arkansas. The ATF has issued several memorandums of understanding on the matter.

Vertical foregrips are fine on pistols, and do not make them into AOWs, so long as they are aftermarket accessories of a modular nature (they must be readily removable with hand tools). A pistol is only made into an AOW by a VFG if it is manufactured in that condition, and adding one on after original manufacture doesn't count as newly manufacturing it, so long as it is not permanently affixed (bolting one on is not sufficient. It would need to be glued, pinned, or welded).

Schweet! Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go rob a bank, and then order a Caspian Recon frame and 6" slide in 10mm!

[HTRN]

That's the same ATF letter linked in the original Oleg Volk post.

Didn't see that in the comments.

[Combat Controller]

A thought occured to me, could that be construed as a pistol grip? because a forward grip on pistols without a tax stamp is a major nono.

And as I have explained to you, literally a dozen times over the past five years (because you say the same thing every time it comes up, and I correct you... and everyone else who says it, every time it comes up), that is no longer true; pursuant to the two cases in Tennessee and the case in Arkansas. The ATF has issued several memorandums of understanding on the matter.

Vertical foregrips are fine on pistols, and do not make them into AOWs, so long as they are aftermarket accessories of a modular nature (they must be readily removable with hand tools). A pistol is only made into an AOW by a VFG if it is manufactured in that condition, and adding one on after original manufacture doesn't count as newly manufacturing it, so long as it is not permanently affixed (bolting one on is not sufficient. It would need to be glued, pinned, or welded).

Also, that isn't even relevant to the AFG, as it isn't considered a "vertical pistol style grip for grasping with the non-shooting hand" (the ATF definition of a VFG), which is in fact pointed out in the original post, with a link to the copy of the ATF letter saying so.

Dude... you're smarter than this... what the hell... every damn time...

The ATF seems to disagree with you Chris. I thought I read about that but I can't find it on the ATF's site anywhere. But they still have the 2006 ruling. I remember about the Ruger ad Contender cases, but does someone want to be a test case? If you have links on the ATF site that I can't find that would be real helpful.

[Combat Controller]

Ah. Here is a letter to Franklin Armory that states that if it is over 26" but is not a rifle then it is ok. So longer AR pistols yes, some AK pistols no.... But I would get your own ATF letter first....