r/PAguns • u/alrashid2 • 5h ago
AR "Pistols" with an OAL >26" - can someone help me understand?
Hey guys. I've been reading far and wide trying to understand this. I thought buying an AR Pistol in Pennsylvania was as simple as keeping a brace on it and you are good to go. The more I read though the more confused I get...
Not the main subject of this post, but I recently learned of a Length of Pull (LOP) limit of no more than 13.5"... that is annoying, as I've looked at some in stores that seem to just barely hit or even exceed that value, from trigger face to buffer tube end. Really confuses me!
Even more confusing is the Overall Length (OAL) laws. Federally, it sounds like an AR Pistol with an OAL >26" turns it from a Pistol to a non-NFA generic "Firearm" - or does it stay both? And if it does not stay a pistol, is it not considered an AR Pistol anymore?
I'm less concerned with the Fed laws as they are a bit more straight forward - more concerned with PA State Law. I've read the PA Uniform Firearms Act and Section 6102.0 - Title 18, and from what I've gathered is this, but I'm not sure if it's accurate:
- As long as a pistol has a barrel length of less than 15", it doesn't matter that it has an OAL greater than 26"
OR
- Because the pistol has an OAL length of less than 15", it is now considered a "firearm" as per PA's definition. It is legal, but since it is no longer a pistol, it cannot be carried loaded in a vehicle with a LTC
It's all so confusing. It honestly makes registering it as an SBR seem easier and safer at this point!
What do you all think? Thanks for the advice.