Hey Guys, I have been looking around online about the rules of SBRing a rifle but could not find an answer to my question, I have always had my questions answered here so here is what I got:
I was thinking about SBRing my SCAR 16, I really did not want to chop the barrel down so I was just going to wait till FNH released factory barrels to the civi market and do it then. I found someone on the FN forum with factory SCAR 16 barrels so I want to buy one, but not before asking this first:
After I purchase the factory barrel, I will have to get it chopped down the the length I want( I was thinking 10.5). Now after I chop the barrel, and get the lower engraved, am I only allowed to use the 10.5 inch barrel or can I use the factory 16 inch barrel as well and actually use the rifle for its purpose with quick barrel change capability.
Like I said guys, I am brand new to the NFA game and if this has been answered already sorry.
You must have the scar engraved before you have the barrel cut…otherwise you’ll be breaking the federal law of receiving with intent to build an NFA weapon (or something like that.) After you have it engraved and registered you can use either barrel.
May I ask what the purpose of SBR’ing the SCAR is?
That’s not really true. The engraving can be done at anytime. What you cannot do is build the weapon prior to having the Form 1 approved.
The general rule of thumb is that you don’t broadcast to the world what your intentions are, you don’t taunt the BATFE and you don’t sell drugs from your home.
Someone correct me if I am wrong. On the SCAR the upper is actually the serial numbered item and not the lower, correct?
Thanks for the replies guys, just for clarification, I dont intend to have a SBR’d barrel prior to having all the paperwork done. What I was going to do is buy the barrel, fill out the paperwork, and have it chopped and have the NFA dealer hold on to the barrel till the stamp comes back(i hear its a 6 month wait). IG, do you know or have any suggestions on who is good for this here in AZ?
May I ask what the purpose of SBR’ing the SCAR is?[/QUOTE]
I guess its the same reason as SBR’ing a M4/AR15, for me its the greater mobility, and decreased weight. Also I think it will make the rifle look alot better because there is not 12 feet of barrel sticking out the end of rifle(that is more of a personal preferance).
The point I was making above is that since the upper has the serial number, you could do what you want as long as the lower is not around or unless you have another upper available.
I know a class III dealer who works for my dept and lives out by you. He has a 16 CQC and Ill ask him if he can get any barrels or knows a good guy for the cutting. By the way they have insane muzzle flash.
Just like you run the risk of reduced functionality when chopping down a AR barrel, what else do you plan to do to the rifle after reducing the dwell time by so much? Anyone on here know the other changes the OP should make on a SBR SCAR? Are any other changes needed?
I dont think there is anything that needs to be done. The rifle was built and intended to be able to do quick barrel changes regardless of length. Also, its piston driven so the gas is regulated so dwell time does not change. I have no facts on this, this is just me trying to make sense of this in my head. If anyone knows of changes that need to be made, PLEASE let me know
After chopping the barrel you will need to change the gas control screws. If you do a search over on the fnforum you will come up with all the info you need.
ETA: Whatever you do, DO NOT let your gunsmith drill out the gas port hole.
You know, if FNH-USA would just make the 10.5" barrel available to US commercial market this whole exercise would not be necessary. This is why I decided against buying anything FN.
Last year I almost pulled the trigger on buying a SCAR-16 and an FS2000. But when I found out the availability of their parts may be an issue, I decided against it.
If there are just parts and not enough to make a complete rifle then the barrel length won’t matter.
The safe thing to do is not have the rifle and short barrel together until the stamp comes back. With an AR it’s a bit easier because you can keep a stripped or pistol lower, then you have constructive intent to make a legal configuration.
