Encore rifle to pistol

P

pyscodog

Active member
I snagged a T/C Encore ML and am thinking "Long Range Pistol". I have heard you can't make a pistol out of a rifle or vice versa cause the ATF frowns on it. I hear you can go one way but not the other. Anyone know for sure? Or is this just another BS story that I seem to hear so often? I was figuring muzzel loader during the season and LR pistol the rest of the time. Maybe a 243 or 7mm08 or ??? I was also thinking about a non-fluted heavy barrel and cut it down to 18-19 inchs with a rifle fore end, but a pistol grip. I know as long as I don't commit any crimes with the firearm, no one will know. But I still would like to be legal.
Thanks-pyscodog
 
You CANNOT convert a rifle to a handgun...period.
The way the BATFE operates, I would never even consider doing it as you're looking at prison time if caught.
 
As far as I know all encores should be switched back and forth I do it all the time. I have never had a problem about it. I beleive it has something to do that encore's are not calibered on the receiver.
 
My FFL said that it depends upon the registration of the frame. I bought my TC making sure that it was registered as a pistol. Then its ok to put a long barrel. If its registered as a rifle and then you make a Pistol out of it, You now have a SBR which is illegal. Id do some research to be sure.
 
ATF laws are not friendly.
The only way is to have the frame registered as a pistol.
Its not worth the risk. Buy an Encore pistol frame and go have fun.

JD338
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: JD338ATF laws are not friendly.
The only way is to have the frame registered as a pistol.
Its not worth the risk. Buy an Encore pistol frame and go have fun.

JD338

+100 dont mess with the ATF....they'll make you a criminal every time.
 
You will have to cut the barrel down to 16" because it is illegal to have a pistol with a barrel longer than 16 1/4".

If the frame was originally registered as a pistol you can replace the grip and put a pistol barrel on it. But if you get caught with a "rifle" frame converted to a pistol, like others have said, you can get is serious trouble.

Keep in mind you can't keep a rifle stock on and put a pistol barrel without getting the SBR (short barreled rifle) NFA stamp. So I am not sure if you can get a stamp to put a pistol grip on a rifle.

Always stay ATF compliant regardless of likelyhood of anyone catching you. Getting caught could mean no more firearms for life.
 
From what I can find.. there is no max barrel length on a registered pistol, due to the fact that longer barrels do not aid in concealment. Not so with an SBR. YMMV
 
Originally Posted By: Orneryolfart357From what I can find.. there is no max barrel length on a registered pistol, due to the fact that longer barrels do not aid in concealment. Not so with an SBR. YMMV

You can have any bbl length you want on a pistol....as long as the overall length doesn't exceed 26".
 
Something I heard today. A friend of mine works at Bass Pro and is pretty knowledgable about firearms and reloading. He was asking me if I new anyone that needed/wanted a 22 Hornet barrel for an Encore. The subject of rifle to pistol came up and he says. The Encore is sold as a "Frame" not being delegated to a rifle or pistol. He said a person can go either way with the Encore. This guy is not your typical $7.00 per hour flunky, he is actually pretty sharp. But I'm also not saying he is 100 percent right on what he's telling me. ???????
 
Originally Posted By: bigsky_songdogsAsk the ATF

Probably the best advice on this thread. BTW I'd get what ever they said in writing.
 
Very good reading. Its pretty much sums up and answers about all the questions I have. Thanks for doing the leg work on this subject as I had no idea of all this info. I talked to the guys at Dong's and they were unsure as they had this question once before and David, the owner, said you can't convert rifle to pistol legally and they weren't sure if they agreed. Long story short, my Encore was logged in as a rifle. End of story! Thanks again for all who contributed to this post.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top