Is it possible to buy a form 4 lower without the correspoding upper?
I am thinking about a Noveske Diplomat upper, but want to buy a couple of registered lowers to keep for later projects. With the barrel length / overall length questions I am concerned that it will get kicked back. Anyone have experience with this?
Absolutely. Most folks will have several different uppers anyway and once you sart talking about $10-13 grand, the 4 or 5 hundred dollar upper isnt much of a dealer maker. If you look at most of the RR M16’s for sale on the boards they will mention a price for “lower only”.
on the form 4, under barrel length / overall length would I put “lower only”?
Unforunately not, you will need to put the exact length of the barrel you plan on using initially, and then the overall length for the weapon, completely extended buttstock
After you have that approved, you can send in a Memorandum to the ATF that can look something like this:
Derek S. Connor
removedNovember 29, 2006
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
National Firearms Act Branch
[Street Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]RE: Form 1 Addendum
Dear BATFE:
I am the registered owner of a Short-Barreled Rifle, Serial Number XXXX, caliber 5.56mm, with a 7.5-inch barrel.I intend to also use it on occasion with upper receivers in the following barrel lengths: 10.5” and 12.5”
None of the above will be permanent modifications, and the caliber and barrel length of record will remain 5.56mm and 14.5 inches.
Please make a notation in the NFA Registry to reflect the above occasional use.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Submitted Respectfully,
Derek S. Connor
You’ll be regisering your lower on the FORM 1, not FORM 4 (form 4 is for silencers)
I thought Form 1 was manufacturing a weapon (sbr-sbs-aow) a Form 3 was transfering between dealers and a Form 4 was to transfer an existing NFA item to a non dealer.
F 1 (5320.1) - Application to Make and Register a Firearm
F 3 (5320.3) - Appl. for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearm
F 4 (5320.4) - Appl. for Transfer & Registration of Firearm
Sure, you can Form 1 and “manufacture” your own (ie, add the required markings), or you can buy a pre-registered SBR lower on a Form 4.
My SBR lower was SBR’d by DPMS and requires no additional markings. I got it on a Form 4.
I plan on doing the same thing with one of Magpul’s new lowers when they reach market. 
Who currently sells SBR lowers that require no additional marking?
I know Noveske does. Last time I checked it was a $100 additional charge, but that may have changed.
Your 6933 won’t.
I sent my SBR paperwork in on 02/02/2004. When I registered my SBR I was able to put, less than 16" barrel and less than 26" overall length. That way, I can use any length upper with the registered lower.
I’ve heard, B.A.T.F. doesn’t allow “less than” anymore. :mad: