[Kalmar]

I hate these kind of advice seeking threads, but here I am posting one.

Have a factory 14" barrel assembly on the way and my intention was to pin a muzzle brake for use with with a SF SOCOM Mini I've just put on order as well. The idea being to keep this a legal limit "no hassle" carbine for travel/competition and home defense. I already have two SCAR SBR's (16S + 17S) and don't necessarily need a third.

However, I also just recently scored an entry barrel for my shotgun and will be going through the Form 1/engraving process to SBS that. Now I'm starting to think I should just do the SCAR at the same time as well. Especially considering how quickly the e-file system is turning stamps around lately.

The cost of either course of action is roughly the same. On one hand I'll have a (mostly) legal anywhere carbine that I don't have to be concerned about keeping documents with or complicating matters should it become entangled in police investigation (God forbid.) The alternative is another rifle tied to my name that I can easily swap any of my barrels with and not have to permanently weld something to the end of.

So what I'm really asking is, are there any considerations between filing/pinning that I have not potentially given thought to? And if not, what would you do in this situation?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and happy Veteran's Day everyone.

 

[Talhoffer]

One thing to consider with pinning and welding is it use to be suppressor companies frowned on it due to alinement issues. That would be my only real concern, that who ever permanently attaches the mount keeps it concentric with the bore and that it isn't going to cause problems if/or when you need to warranty the suppressor.

 

[Brett B]

Do you still have a factory 16" barrel on hand? If so just SBR this rifle and use the 14" barrel as is. If you need a hassle-free setup then reinstall the 16" barrel as needed. This is the route I am going with my SCAR SBRs.

After looking at the options I have come to believe that the pin/weld route is too much of a pain, and too high risk with the cost of these barrels, considering how easy it is just to swap out to another barrel. I have changed muzzle devices several times in the recent years as my wants/needs have changed, or as new cans have come out. It would suck having to pay for a gunsmith to try and unpin/repin a new muzzle device each time. Not to mention the risk of damaging the barrel each time, I have seen some pictures of really bad work.

 

[farmerted]

Do you still have a factory 16" barrel on hand? If so just SBR it and use the 14" barrel as is. If you need a hassle-free setup then reinstall the 16" barrel as needed. This is the route I am going with my SCAR SBRs.

This is the solution right here. ATF has stated it is fine to do the switch for travel or hunting purposes.

 

[17heavy]

This is the solution right here. ATF has stated it is fine to do the switch for travel or hunting purposes.

I was wondering about this very thing when first reading the thread.

 

[Brett B]

farmerted is correct. We had a discussion about this (and engraved barrels) on here about a year ago. I was of the position then (based on everything ATF had posted at that time) that once it was an SBR you could not replace the engraved SBR barrel with a 16" barrel to bypass the 5320.20 requirements. Since then ATF has clarified this stance, so I was wrong. Apologies to anybody I disagreed with on that one, as you were right.

Looks like this question has come up frequently enough that ATF added it to their FAQ:

"Q: May the short barrel on an SBR or SBS be replaced with a long barrel for hunting or other purposes, with the intent of replacing the short barrel?

Yes, and you will not be required to again register the firearm before replacing the short barrel. ATF recommends written notification to the NFA Branch when a firearm’s configuration is permanently changed or removed from the purview of the NFA."

So it looks like if you wanted to keep your receiver unmolested you could in fact engrave the 14" SBR barrel (keeping it visible), and then install the 16" barrel and use it as a non-NFA item as you wish.

 

[Kalmar]

That would be my only real concern, that who ever permanently attaches the mount keeps it concentric with the bore and that it isn't going to cause problems if/or when you need to warranty the suppressor.

Using untimed flash hiders on my other rifles for this reason, however I've also installed a SFMB on the std 17S barrel with no concentricity issues. Figured if I can do it, Marvin Pitts can do better. That, and the Mini length suppressor should also help to minimize risk of any potential strikes from misalignment.

This is the solution right here. ATF has stated it is fine to do the switch for travel or hunting purposes.

Interesting.... I was under the impression that once a title II, always a tittle II. That info may be the final push needed to go down that road, thanks.

 

[k_wilkin]

I guess the question is: do you need the third SCAR?

I will eventually get a 14" barrel to round out my kit with the 10". I had no reason for a 16", so I sold it for the 10". I suppose the receiver could eventually wear out (I have heard ~90,000 rounds), so I understand if you're just using it for parts.

Pinning and welding always forces you into a corner of which I'm no longer a fan, especially now that I have 4 SBRs (two of which are the 16S and 17S).

You could offload the tertiary SCAR and fill out your collection in other ways, such as a HK45CT with Tirant 45S suppressor. There is a 7.62x39 version of the Galil ACE coming out soon, too. I have wanted something in the commie caliber but I am not that into AKs. Just some thoughts.

 

[Kalmar]

I guess the question is: do you need the third SCAR?

Regardless of the connotation, I'm not in the habit of justifying my firearm ownership based on "need." That said, I'm not pursuant to collecting either. Everything I have now fills some role or purpose. The HK you mention, while a nice gun, would be redundant to the FNP45T w/ TiRant 45S which is my current go-to HD weapon. My other two SBR'd SCAR's are setup for a rainy day. The third I want to keep for general use, hence my aversion to complicating things with additional NFA involvement. It's nice having quick change barrels, but that doesn't mean I want to swap them and all of my accessories every time I go from a 3 gun comp to a night time hog hunt. 2 guns > 1 in my opinion, especially with common caliber and parts between them.

 

[SCARFace17]

When in doubt SBR.

 

[SDDuc996]

If you already have a Trust or LLC, eFiling is pretty decent right now. I eFiled Sep 6 and got my stamps approved Oct 14.

From ATF's FAQ:
Q: Does the installation of a barrel over 16 inches in length (SBR) or 18 inches in length (SBS) remove the firearm from the purview of the NFA? If so, is this considered a permanent change?
Installation of a barrel greater than 16 inches in length (SBR) or 18 inches in length (SBS) will remove the firearm from the purview of the NFA provided the registrant does not maintain control over the parts necessary to reconfigure the firearm as a SBR or SBS.

Q: If I remove the short barrel from my SBR or SBS, may I move the firearm across state lines without the submission of ATF Form 5320.20, Application to Transport or to Temporarily Export Certain Firearms?
If the registrant retains control over the parts required to assemble the SBR or SBS, the firearm is still be subject to all requirements of the NFA. ATF recommends contacting law enforcement officials in the destination state to ensure compliance with state and local law.

Q: Is it necessary to send notification to ATF and receive acknowledgement that the SBR or SBS has been removed from the purview of the NFA before it may be sold as a GCA firearm?
There is no requirement for the possessor of a registered NFA firearm to notify ATF that the firearm has been removed from the purview of the NFA. However, ATFrecommends the possessor notify the NFA Branch of such changes in writing so that the possessor is not mistakenly identified as the owner if the firearm is later used in a crime. If, at the time of transfer, the firearm does not meet the definition of a SBR, it should be transferred without filing the NFA transfer application and without payment of the transfer tax.

 

[Kalmar]

If you already have a Trust or LLC, eFiling is pretty decent right now.

It was incredibly easy, forms off and away! Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Brett B]

A couple people asked me about my engraved barrel so I figured I would add the picture to this thread since we were talking about it here. I had this done by Ident and I think it came out very well (even though my picture taking skills aren't the best). Very clean and discreet and still meets the ATF requirements. To give you a size reference that is the factory 13" SCAR 17 barrel, and total width of text from left to right is about 1 inch.

 

[J.polisi]

A couple people asked me about my engraved barrel so I figured I would add the picture to this thread since we were talking about it here. I had this done by Ident and I think it came out very well (even though my picture taking skills aren't the best). Very clean and discreet and still meets the ATF requirements. To give you a size reference that is the factory 13" SCAR 17 barrel, and total width of text from left to right is about 1 inch.

Thanks Bret!! Ident Marking's quality was never in question, I think they are the best in the buisness.. I was just curious to see what it looked like on the barrel.. There are some very discrete places to engrave, no doubt.. :wink:

 

[J.polisi]

Looks Great also!!!

 

[Brett B]

Thanks! I'm very pleased with how it came out and Ident got it turned around quickly.