SBR Considerations

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to go over SBRs. Our goal with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of SBRs while delving into things such as their pros, cons, legal considerations, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk about SBRs.

What is an SBR?

A short-barreled rifle, or SBR, is a class of firearm which does not fall under the established legal definition of a rifle. Like the name suggests, firearms of this type will have barrels under 16” in length. The entire firearm is generally going to have an overall length of less than 26”. These items, along with suppressors, are subjected to federal regulation by the ATF.

How Do You Legally Get an SBR?

One can legally obtain an SBR by purchasing a factory configured SBR, building something from a parts kit or scratch and registering it as an SBR, or converting a pistol into an SBR. Regardless of the method one takes, the SBR will be subject to regulations outlined by the National Firearms Act of 1934, better known simply as the NFA.

In order to possess these types of firearms, a prospective owner must pay for a $200 tax stamp and essentially petition the ATF to approve the transfer of the SBR to them. These types of firearms are typically transferred to the owner via either an ATF Form 1 or Form 4. Either form can be done in paper or in a digital format. ATF Form 1 transfers involve requests to make and register a firearm which falls under NFA regulations while Form 4 involves the paid transfer of an existing NFA item. Form 1 items come with the additional requirement that the owner/manufacturer has their name engraved onto the firearm along with the city and state in which it was made. Both applications must be accompanied by a passport style photo of the prospective owner along with their fingerprints. These fingerprints can be captured in either ink or digitally captured. SBRs and other NFA items are able to be registered to either an individual or to a trust. Once the application is submitted and approved, the prospective owner must then fill out a 4473 before finally taking possession of their SBR.

If one is in possession of an unregistered SBR, they run the risk of running afoul of the law and incurring heavy legal consequences. To possess an SBR that is unregistered with the ATF is illegal and carries the weight of a felony. Per the ATF (citing 26 U.S.C. 5861(d), 5871), “unlawful possessions of an unregistered SBR is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment or $10,000 in fines, or both.” Needless to say, there is a potential for life-changing consequences if you are caught with an unregistered SBR.

The ATF’s website has a variety of resources and forms for prospective NFA item owners. One should consult the agency’s resources if they have any specific questions about their particular items or ones they are considering acquiring.

Practical Pros of SBRs

These types of firearms are often significantly shorter than their full-sized counterparts. This makes them well-suited to be used in conjunction with something like a suppressor. Suppressors can potentially add a significant length to the overall size of a firearm when they are affixed to a muzzle. With a shorter barrel, one can make use of compact and even standard sized suppressors without adding considerable length.

Shorter firearms are ultimately handier and more maneuverable than their larger counterparts. SBRs are no exception to this rule. If one were to run drills with an SBR, one will find that their compact size and lighter weight allows them to be easily manipulated by a shooter. A lighter, more compact firearm is easier to snap up to your shoulder to break a shot than a longer and heavier one. The overall size and compact nature of these firearms makes them excellent candidates to be stored in a bag. Many pistols and SBR style firearms will even come with sling bags or slimline backpacks to facilitate bag carry, such as many of the offerings from Brugger & Thomet. This fact makes SBRs easily transported to and from the range or stowed in a discreet storage solution for travel purposes.

Some calibers are optimized for use in shorter barrels. The .300 Blackout and 8.6 Blackout are particularly notable examples of cartridges that excel in short barrels. The .300 Blackout specifically will achieve a full powder burn in barrel lengths ranging from about 8” – 10”. Short barrels also produce lower velocities than their longer counterparts, further increasing their effectiveness with suppressors. This is particularly evident with subsonic .300 Blackout ammunition as they are some of the quietest centerfire rifle loadings on the market.

Certain types of firearms are designed to feature short barrels. SBR configuration allows for an end user to possess a firearm which is more authentic to the original, intended design. For example, subguns and personal defense weapons (PDW) such as MP5s, P90s, and Honey Badgers were intended to be short barreled firearms. Offerings with NFA compliant barrel lengths of 16” or more simply take away from the original design of the firearm. These long barrels typically look very out of place on an otherwise compact firearm and are usually an eyesore unless they are concealed by something like a faux suppressor. If a faux suppressor is used to conceal the long, skinny barrel on one of these firearms, one will also lose the ability to utilize a proper muzzle device with more utility such as a flash hider or suppressor.

Practical Cons of SBRs

Shooters who are accustomed to standard sized firearms will immediately take notice of the shorter handguards found on SBRs. In most cases, the handguard will stop just short of the muzzle end of the SBR to allow for the attachment of muzzle devices and suppressors. There are also examples which feature a barrel tucked underneath the handguard. A shorter handguard means that a shooter will have less surface to work with when establishing a firing grip. This also means that one will notice that there are fewer mounting options for accessories such as lights and lasers, meaning shooters may need to get crafty if they wish to use these devices.

Due to their compact nature, larger statured shooters will likely be uncomfortable when shooting these firearms. While some SBRs feature collapsible stocks which allow for an end user to adjust their length of pull, this feature is not always present on SBRs. These types of shooters may also feel constrained by the limited rail space and short handguard lengths present on many SBRs.

If a shooter prefers to use iron sights, they will have a shorter sight picture than they would on a full-sized rifle. This is particularly evident on SBR examples which replicate subguns such as MP5Ks. A shorter barrel may be more rigid than its longer counterparts, but they are ultimately lacking in terms of velocity and accuracy potential. One can certainly be accurate with an SBR if they do their part, but they are ultimately shooting a firearm which trades velocity and accuracy for compactness.

Shorter barrels generally have the potential to be considerably louder than their longer counterparts do. This ultimately depends upon the caliber and traits of the loading they are shooting. The 5.56x45mm NATO is notoriously loud and concussive when utilized in short barrels. This is due to the fact that a full powder burn is not achieved in these short barrels. This is why the loud bark of SBRs in rifle calibers is also typically accompanied by a considerable muzzle flash. Granted, all guns are generally loud and noise should be expected when shooting them.

Legal Considerations of SBR Ownership

A firearm legally classified as an SBR is capable of being fitted with components and accessories which were not permitted for use on pistols. Notably, an SBR can legally accommodate things such as stocks and vertical foregrips. This means, legally speaking, one is permitted to use a wider variety of components on an SBR than they can on something like a pistol. The ability to add a stock is a practical improvement over the braces, or lack thereof, which are common on pistols.

SBRs also come with a few legal caveats which are more restrictive than other firearm rules and regulations. SBRs cannot be transferred to another party as easily as non-NFA firearms can. Simply put, if you wish to sell an NFA item like an SBR, one must conduct a transfer through an appropriate dealer. This dealer will essentially facilitate the transfer of your NFA item to the other party. The purchasing party will be responsible for paying a $200 tax stamp and the dealer may require a fee to conduct the transfer.

Additionally, one cannot simply travel across state lines with an SBR. One must ensure that the firearm is legal in their destination state as well as the states one may find themselves traveling through to get there. Firearm laws vary across the nation and what is legal in one state may be a felony in another. If you intend on transporting an NFA item across state lines, you will need to submit Form 5320.20 to the ATF prior to travel. This form must include information such as where you intend on going, where the NFA item will be stored, and relevant information such as serial numbers and other firearm information. Simply put, one must jump through additional hoops to travel with an NFA item like an SBR.

Are SBRs Legal in All States?

Unfortunately, SBRs are not legal in all 50 states as there are some states that prohibit the possession of any NFA items. Some states, such as Maryland, may allow certain NFA items but place additional restrictions and conditions on their possession and legal status. Simply put, prospective SBR owners will need to ensure that they consider NFA regulations in addition to things such as local and state regulations they may encounter.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, SBRs are simultaneously very popular among shooters while also not being for everybody. There are many shooters who feel that a $200 stamp is ridiculous and don’t want to pay to be able to better exercise their Second Amendment right without legal ramifications. There are also those who simply pay the stamp and abide by the process because they see the value in the SBR they are after. Practically speaking, it is up to the end user to determine if these types of firearms fit their use cases. There are many shooters who satisfy their short firearm desire with bullpup rifles. Simply put, shooters have options. Regardless of whether you are into SBRs or not, you will inevitably need ammunition. We here at True Shot Ammo sell loadings which are perfect for use in everything from a compact Mk18 to larger rifles like M16A4 clones. No matter what you shoot, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.

Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at [email protected] for more ammo options.

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Tyler Elsberry

Tyler Elsberry is an author for True Shot Ammo, boasting over a decade of experience in the firearms industry. His extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise make him a valuable asset to the True Shot team. Tyler's deep understanding of firearms, coupled with his passion for the ammunition industry, allows him to provide insightful and practical guidance to enthusiasts and professionals alike. His writings often reflect his commitment to delivering accurate, up-to-date information on the latest trends, products, and advancements in the field. Tyler's ability to convey complex technical details in an accessible manner has earned him a loyal following among readers seeking reliable advice and information in the world of firearms and ammunition.