Likely an old queston, but my search didn’t help. I have an OE colt M16 10.5 and want to know about changing barrel lengths and calibers. I have read conflicting answers on this forum. I would like to use this lower on mulitiple uppers. One poster said his letter of exeption took over two years. Was a class 3 way back, but i haven’t kept up. Do we have a definative takeaway? TIA.
Is this a registered M16 or a semi-auto Colt AR-15? Try reading through the NFA forum on the site, there’s a lot of helpful info in there.
If you already have an NFA registered M16 then you can put on any length barrel that you want and attach multiple uppers.
What is an OE Colt M16 10.5"?
If your 16 is a legal NFA gun, you can configure it any way you want. No requirements of notification at all.
If it isn’t legal, I don’t guess upper swapping would matter then either. 
Seriously? It’s Olde English fool!
Because nothing goes together quite like NFA weapons and 40’s.
You can run any barrel length you want on it.
Guys, OE is original equipment…let’s try to be helpful.
It’s an M16A2 from the post vietnam era from a PD. I was under the impression i was good, but all the new SBR talk confused me bit. Thanks!
It didn’t come with a 10.5" barrel from Colt.
I disagree about configuration changes to an NFA firearm that still defines the weapon as an NFA item. I have cited current BATF information in another thread. However, each to his own on how to proceed regarding this matter.
“Post Viet Nam” M16A2. The M16A2 was initially procured by the USMC in early to mid 1980’s as a result of problems long ago identified with the M16A1. I was issued a M16A1 in 1980 at Quantico. The Army adopted the M16A2 model in the late 1980s. The M16A2 has a 20" barrel and is affectionately called a “musket” by may who have to tote the thing around.
Please do not respond to my following statement, but, since this model has a 3 round burst rather than fully automatic fire (FA), it is still classified as a machine gun by NFA Act definition. That being the case, the amnesty period to register machine guns ended in May 1986 per the NFA Act (1986) as amended and signed by President Reagan. So, hopefully you have a REGISTERED (approved BATF form in your name) machine gun.
To my knowledge there has not been another amnesty period. Further the registry has not been re-opened since May 1986.
Feel free to not reply, I don’t mind.
What exactly are you responding to here?
Please do not respond to my following statement, but, since this model has a 3 round burst rather than fully automatic fire (FA), it is still classified as a machine gun by NFA Act definition. That being the case, the amnesty period to register machine guns ended in May 1986 per the NFA Act (1986) as amended and signed by President Reagan. So, hopefully you have a REGISTERED (approved BATF form in your name) machine gun.
To my knowledge there has not been another amnesty period. Further the registry has not been re-opened since May 1986.
Please do not respond to my following statement, but, who said anything about whether it was a machine gun or not? The previous comments in this thread were making the assumption that it is indeed a machine gun.
Machine guns can have any length of barrel on them as they are already regulated and require registration with the BATFE.
Have a great day!
Please don’t post this shit because you have no idea what you are talking about.
The OPs gun is marked M16A2. It has a commercial/export Colt select fire lower. It can either be burst or full. It can have any barrel length from 11.5 to 20" from the factory.
It is not a US property marked M16A2 with a 20" barrel.
From the sound of it, the OPs gun is probably a Colt 733 with an 11.5" barrel. That is the only product from Colt that meets his description in the time frame it was produced.
Dude, there are more than a few legal transferrable Colt M16A2 factory commercial /LE weapons on the registry that were there prior to 1986.
You’re not bringing anything helpful to this discussion.
I agree with Templar, if it’s a registared transferable NFA M16A2 you can put any size shape barrel you like and it’s legal. That’s a FACT!!!
To unfuck the convoluted direction this thread went, to recap in simpler terms:
If it is infact a registered full-auto receiver (burst classifies as F/A as well, not to insult your intelligence) it is legal to put whatever upper you want on the lower receiver. If you were PERMANENTLY modifying the gun to a different configuration, “technically” you are supposed to notify the ATF, but with the amount of Form 1 and Form 4 paperwork coming across their desks, letters of exemption have been put on the back burner.
The hierarchy of ARs is MG > SBR > AOW > 16+" barrel, semi-auto AR.
Caliber, barrel length, or otherwise configuration do not matter with a registered machinegun. You could put a pistol reciever extension and a 3" 7.62x39 barreled upper on it and be within the law.
Short barreled rifles, to remain within the law, have to be able to be reconfigured back to the barrel length and caliber they were originally registered as being, machine guns may fall purview of the same regulation, but I’m unsure. Basically, as long as you can change it back to the way it is listed on your NFA paperwork and maintain possession of the parts to do so, you are fine to change it to whatever configuration you please.
Thank you viperashes for providing that input.
For those who are too ignorant, too self absorbed, who have never carried a Stoner rifle in harms way, or are simply too young to know better…
The “M16A2” as the original poster stated is a specific rifle. It is NOT a CAR-15 or Commando or some bastardized model you want to call it. He called it a “M16A2” in the initial post.
A Model 733 is a XM177E2 with some enhancements and some M16A2 parts on it BUT it is NOT a M16A2 rifle sold to DoD and Federal, State and Local jurisdictions. Further, if it was military surplus, sold to the PD, it had to be a machine gun if it was a “M16A2”.
Anyone who has served in the Army or USMC knows exactly what a “M16A2” is. But, so many uninformed people love to crucify others without knowing a damn thing they are talking about.
Anyone who served in the 80’s, knows what a M16A2 is.
And by NFA definition, if a weapon discharges MORE THAN ONE ROUND PER PULL OF THE TRIGGER, IT IS A MACHINE GUN (FULL AUTO, 3 ROUND BURST, WHATEVER).
And my statement regarding registration…quite a few surplus, post Viet Nam weapons transferred from DoD to PDs eventually made their way into private possession. Quite a few of these weapons still remain unregistered according to BATF.
Look, idiot, there are many Colt products that say M16A2 on them. That doesn’t make them an M16A2 that is in use by the US military.
The original poster never said it was marked as an M16A2. He said it was an M16A2 from a PD. That statement could be interpreted in a couple of ways. Perhaps he was just using that term because it functions just like an M16A2 with 3 round burst.
It really just seems like you are stirring the pot for no reason. No one ever said anything about burst vs full auto until you did. You are the only one arguing that, and apparently you are arguing it against yourself.
<sigh>
ScottyRyan, Visonr…you guys obviously a head bangers…why your stupidity prevails.
Like I said…
many Colt models share M16A2 parts, but that does not make them it an “M16A2” rifle.
Dumb asses…
If you had any understanding of DoD/LEO Colt weapons of the 80’s you would understand.
As I recall visonr, you’re the one who stated FOPA would protect you ass in the great USA carrying your weapons, while the NRA recommends the very opposite for some high profile jurisdictions. You’re just full of righteous info.
How many of these do you own?