Franklin Armory dropped a mysterious press release yesterday, announcing a new “not a rifle,” “not a shotgun,” AR-15-like rifle with a standard Magpul stock and an 11.5” barrel. The company claims it is a non-NFA, non-SBR and requires no tax stamp and no paperwork. It is called the Reformation. Jay Jacobson, President of Franklin Armory, says, “ The patent-pending technology employed in Reformation® will create a whole new market segment that will not require NFA approval.” It is supposedly already passed as a non-rifle by the Chief of the Firearms Technology Division.

Green and black AR-15 style firearm with 11.5" barrel and the words, "not a rifle," "not a shotgun," "not tax stamp"
The Reformation from Franklin Armory’s press release.

They haven’t told anyone how, but there are many guesses…

The Firearm Blog says:

 Would you like to know the secret? Are you ready? Lean in really close to your computer/mobile device/teletype machine:

I HAVE NO CLUE HOW THE REFORMATION GET AROUND BEING AN NFA FIREARM.

But I made a few guesses, as did other staff here at TFB. Here goes:

  • Smoothbore barrel– averts rifle definition?
  • 26” OAL with a barrel less than 16” – averts rifle definition?
  • One pull of the trigger, one round fires – averts rifle definition?
Image courtesy tacticalsh*t.com

Apparently, we will find out at Industry Day at the Range right before SHOT Show 2018.

What do you think makes it a non-NFA item? Leave your ideas in the comments.

 

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