M&P 15-22P Magwell Grip

[Redmond]

Opinions, please:

Would adding a magwell grip to the M&P 15-22P pistol constitute adding a "vertical grip" and thus put one afoul of the BATF AOW designation? I suspect that it would, but thought it worth asking.

The pistol is a tremendously fun gun to shoot!!

 

[DownRange&Upwind]

Arent the vertical grips on a pistol illegal in alot of states?

 

[Redmond]

Right, that was my question. Does adding a wrap around grip to the existing magazine well constitute a vertical grip, since the mag well is already there? Not like putting a rail mounted grip on the front.

 

[whoppo]

The 1968 Gun Control Act definition of a "handgun" includes:

"a firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand".

While there doesn't seem to be any specific wording prohibiting at addition of a forward grip (of any kind) on a pistol, the BATF has adopted the position that the addition of anything that is obviously meant to allow "two hand" use places the weapon into the AOW (All Other Weapons) category, so it winds up being unlawful anyway.

Now looking at the 15-22P, it's pretty obvious that it could be used with both hands as it comes out of the box and it's legal. Adding a Magwell grip might cross the line or not.. it's all up to the BATF's interpretation. I personally would not want to test the theory. "Because they said so" may sound like a weak case to normal people, but it's all that matters to a judge.

 

[chrisj6061]

Here's a link that goes over AR Pistol, SBR, AOW

 

[Tahoetwin]

New here at this forum, But i am under the impression that 22 caliber rim fire weapons are not considered assault weapons.

 

[Redmond]

Thanks everyone. I'm still a bit confused - not sure that the thing meets the BATFE guidelines even out of the box.

I agree with whoppo, though, don't want to be the test case.

 

[Brett248Vista]

Tahoe,

a 22 Rimfire still falls under the BATFE laws and must abide.

And yes the 15-22P is legal "out of the box" as it is classified as a "Pistol" (no stock, short barrel).

That's what the "P" stands for.