Modifying hand gun

[richardraw316]

I dont know if this is the right place for this question, but its about pistols, so i guess this will work.
What are the laws on modifing your own pistol?
i am not sure there are any laws that say i cant modify without some sort of license, but i figured i would ask anyway.
i am getting a yugo tokarev, and modifying the frame to accept 1911 grips. this will require welding. i just want to make sure big brother does not try and come down on me for it. if it works, i might start doing these in my spare time, so if i start selling them this way, then do i need an 07 ffl for that?
it is kind of sad i have to ask these questions. i thought this country was founded on capitalism. maybe i am mistaken.

 

[stephen87]

AFAIK, there are no laws against modifying any type of firearms. The only way any of this would be illegal is if it got into NFA laws and even then ai'm not sure there's much that could make a pistol against NFA rules.

 

[TheWabbit]

There are definitely rules. Add a 2nd pistol grip to a pistol and the Feds will give you a free vacation to the pokey. I would contact the ATF and ask them.

 

[loki.fish]

I'm not a lawyer, but here's my internet professional opinion(s)

Don't put a forward grip on it or a stock, then it would be NFA AOW. Other than that, I don't know of any other laws you could break.

If you buy, modify, then resell, you'd probably need a FFL.

If you have people send their own to you to modify, you'd probably need an FFL as well.

 

[Rob377]

Call the ATF and ask 5 different agents and you'll get 5 different answers, none of which mean jack poop in a court of law.

The only reason to call them is to ask if they finally got your tax stamp paperwork done.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

There are definitely rules. Add a 2nd pistol grip to a pistol and the Feds will give you a free vacation to the pokey. I would contact the ATF and ask them.

I don't understand why, mind giving me a quick "this is because..."

 

[Plinkuh]

I don't understand why, mind giving me a quick "this is because..."

Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun

ok, having read that, i understand that they say its a no go, but why is it a big deal. Perhaps im having a dumb moment here, Please forgive my ignorance.

 

[Plinkuh]

ok, having read that, i understand that they say its a no go, but why is it a big deal. Perhaps im having a dumb moment here, Please forgive my ignorance.

To tell you the truth, I don't question these things anymore. I just do what they say and don't go against the grain. I have no idea why they chose certain rules and regulations but, they just do.

 

[LEaSH]

It's not you - it's that agency, and they never claimed or intend to make sense to anyone. They can be whimsical sometimes.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

thanks guys, I feel a bit better about my ignorance. I just can't see how an extra grip can cause a gun to be come more deadly?

 

[Rob377]

thanks guys, I feel a bit better about my ignorance. I just can't see how an extra grip can cause a gun to be come more deadly?

It doesn't. The ATF is just full of moron bureaucrat hacks that can't read the statute as written or the cases that they've already lost on the matter.

 

[TheWabbit]

thanks guys, I feel a bit better about my ignorance. I just can't see how an extra grip can cause a gun to be come more deadly?

The basic rule is you can't turn a firearm that was designed to be a pistol and make it into a rifle (two grips). You can't turn a rifle into a pistol either (cutting the stock and barrel). It has to be manufactured that way. Otherwise you have to find the ATF rulings like posted earlier and do exactly what they tell you.

This isn't logic, this is our government at work.

Call the ATF and ask 5 different agents and you'll get 5 different answers, none of which mean jack poop in a court of law.

That is why I said contact them (by writing I should have specified) and not call them. You get everything in writing to CYA.

 

[Outlaw]

Short answer; for what you are wanting to do, no its not illegal. As far as performing the service for others, you don't have to have an ffl or license for that matter.

Ianal

 

[Tombs]

ok, having read that, i understand that they say its a no go, but why is it a big deal. Perhaps im having a dumb moment here, Please forgive my ignorance.

Why is the speed limit 55mph on major highways when it's 70mph on major highways in the UK?

The why is because our laws aren't made with common sense or logic involved, they're made by people who have nothing better to do, and no real education on the topic.

Just remember, innocent until proven guilty. If you want to take the risks, that's your business, but a friendly reminder is that you never announce or show your business. A tree falling in the forest with no one around to hear it doesn't make a sound. (Or at least that's what quantum physics says.)

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Why is the speed limit 55mph on major highways when it's 70mph on major highways in the UK?

The why is because our laws aren't made with common sense or logic involved, they're made by people who have nothing better to do, and no real education on the topic.

Just remember, innocent until proven guilty. If you want to take the risks, that's your business, but a friendly reminder is that you never announce or show your business. A tree falling in the forest with no one around to hear it doesn't make a sound. (Or at least that's what quantum physics says.)

But the sound wave would in fact exist.

 

[Plinkuh]

The basic rule is you can't turn a firearm that was designed to be a pistol and make it into a rifle (two grips).

Just to clarify, adding a foregrip to a pistol does not mean it's a "rifle". Adding a foregrip makes it an "AOW" (Any Other Weapon). Now, adding a stock to a pistol makes it an "SBR" (Short Barreled Rifle).

 

[Rob377]

The basic rule is you can't turn a firearm that was designed to be a pistol and make it into a rifle (two grips). You can't turn a rifle into a pistol either (cutting the stock and barrel). It has to be manufactured that way. Otherwise you have to find the ATF rulings like posted earlier and do exactly what they tell you.

This isn't logic, this is our government at work.



That is why I said contact them (by writing I should have specified) and not call them. You get everything in writing to CYA.

Doesn't matter if it's in writing. It has no legal authority at all.

 

[Tombs]

But the sound wave would in fact exist.

Unless it's observed, or measured in some way, not necessarily.

Observation changes physics.

 

[richardraw316]

There are definitely rules. Add a 2nd pistol grip to a pistol and the Feds will give you a free vacation to the pokey. I would contact the ATF and ask them.

i am not putting a second pistol grip on. i am modifying so 1911 grips repacements fit on the tokarev.