Anyone have an AOW?

lunde

lunde

Joined
Jun 20, 2000
Messages
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AOW is an abbreviation for Any Other Weapon, and is one type of NFA (aka, Class III) firearm. One of the most common types AOWs are those built from shotguns with short barrels and no shoulder stock. I have been the legal owner of an OAW since early 1988, and it is a Wilson Arms WP870 (Witness Protection 870), and as its designation suggests, it is built from a Remington 870 receiver. Its barrel is 12.5 inches, and its OAL is 24.5 inches. And yes, its barrel has a choke.

While it is certainly possible to modify a shotgun to the same configuration as an AOW, the fact that the shotgun once had a shoulder stock means that it would instead be classified as a short-barrelled shotgun (SBS). There are three significances I should note: 1) the NFA stamp for a SBS is $200, but only $5 for an AOW 2) AOWs are legal in California per California Penal Code 12020(b)(8), but SBSes are not; and 3) an AOW can never have a shoulder stock, and attaching one would constitute making an SBS.

Anyway, here are photos of my lovely AOW:

wawp870-aow-right-1.jpg


wawp870-aow-right-2.jpg


wawp870-aow-left-1.jpg


wawp870-aow-left-2.jpg
 
That is freakin beautiful!!!! How do I get my hands on one?
By the way, I thought the barrels on all shottys were supposed to be 18 1/2 inches long???
 
jvb423, you wrote:
By the way, I thought the barrels on all shottys were supposed to be 18 1/2 inches long???
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You're right, which is precisely why this one is classified as an AOW, which is NFA, and registered. If the barrel length is less than 18 inches, it will be classified as an AOW or SBS depending on how it is made and how it is configured.
 
I studied your op. If I'm understanding right, as long as you purchase it without a full stock and it's classified as an AOW, you purchase an NFA stamp and have it registered in your name, it's legal?
Sounds good to me. I'll have to look that up and find out about the laws here in Texas. i would love to have one of those!
 
Yes, I used to have a Serbu super shorty, it was a fun toy but honestly, I like stocks on my defensive shotguns. I am going to SBS a saiga 12 though and keep the stock.

super_shorty_870.jpg
 
jvb423 said:
I studied your op. If I'm understanding right, as long as you purchase it without a full stock and it's classified as an AOW, you purchase an NFA stamp and have it registered in your name, it's legal?
Sounds good to me. I'll have to look that up and find out about the laws here in Texas. i would love to have one of those!
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You should be good with all NFA items in Texas.
 
There's a lot you need to know before you even consider going NFA. Do a LOT of research because there are hoops that must be jumped through. Here in Florida, you either have to have a legal trust, or you need to have a chief LEO sign off on the paperwork before you can even send your paperwork to the ATF for the stamp.
 
I'mGatMan! said:
There's a lot you need to know before you even consider going NFA. Do a LOT of research because there are hoops that must be jumped through. Here in Florida, you either have to have a legal trust, or you need to have a chief LEO sign off on the paperwork before you can even send your paperwork to the ATF for the stamp.
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I think the hoops one needs to jump through are VERY exaggerated IMO.

Find weapon, fill out forms (The dealer will help you with this), write check, get fingerprinted, passport photos, have chief leo sign off on it, send in.. wait... wait... bug the atf to check the status, wait.. wait.. pick up your weapon and enjoy. It's a lot easier with a trust, no leo sign off/fingerprints/photos and seems to be quicker as well.
 
Nice! What is the mag capacity Lunde? Can you get the South African rotary drum shotguns through an NFA?
 
I guess that's OK, if you like really cool stuff.:rolleyes:........................;):D
Thanks for sharing, it's going on my wishlist.:thumbup:
 
I've been eyeing the one advertised in SGN but Illinois law specifically addresses these toys and says NO:rolleyes:
 
Lunde, your photography is AMAZING.......you can turn an ordinary object extrordinary!
 
230grains said:
I think the hoops one needs to jump through are VERY exaggerated IMO.

Find weapon, fill out forms (The dealer will help you with this), write check, get fingerprinted, passport photos, have chief leo sign off on it, send in.. wait... wait... bug the atf to check the status, wait.. wait.. pick up your weapon and enjoy. It's a lot easier with a trust, no leo sign off/fingerprints/photos and seems to be quicker as well.
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No offense, but I think you oversimplify it. The CLEO's who will sign off on NFA toys are few and far between. Even here in FL, whch is VERY gun-friendly, I've NEVER heard of a CLEO signing the form. As a result, the only real option is to use a trust.

The problem is that many people try to go cheaply (a local attorney who is also an SOT down here charges $450) and use software to make their own trusts instead of paying experienced lawyers, and as a result open themselves up to potential problems if there is any real scrutiny.

It is for that reason that I suggested he do the research. NFA is not a subject to be taken lightly...NOR is it a hobby for people who don't have the money to make sure that everything is by the book.

Before you get serious, JVB423, do some research in your local area (maybe you can check a local gun forum) and find out how amenable your local CLEO is to signing the forms. Once you've got your answer, you'll know what your next step is.

Your best bet for an AOW is to find someone (Lunde can help you here) who builds them out of virgin 870 receivers. I used to know who, but it's been awhile since I did the research and decided I wasn't at the point in my life where I could afford to start buying SBR's, SBS's, SMG's, and/or suppressors.

My good buddy, however, has just become and FFL/SOT, so now may be the time to explore at least the AOW/Suppressor option again. ;)
 
jvb423 said:
By the way, I thought the barrels on all shottys were supposed to be 18 1/2 inches long???
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I'm pretty sure that depends on the state. Here in Ga I'm pretty sure its 16" I cant swear to that but I had my mosberg shortened to legal ga length and the gun smith would only go to 16" 1/2
 
tinman44, you wrote:
I'm pretty sure that depends on the state. Here in Ga I'm pretty sure its 16" I cant swear to that but I had my mosberg shortened to legal ga length and the gun smith would only go to 16" 1/2
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This is a Federal (ATF) thing. Without becoming an NFA firearm, the minimum barrel lengths for rifles and shotguns are different. It is 16 inches for rifles, and 18 inches for shotguns.
 
I'mGatMan!, you wrote:
The CLEO's who will sign off on NFA toys are few and far between.
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I legally own four NFA firearms (two suppressors, one submachine gun, and this cool AOW), and all four have CLEO signatures on their Form 4s (ATF Form 5340.4). But, I agree that finding a CLEO who will sign a Form 4 can be an issue.
 
lunde said:
tinman44, you wrote:This is a Federal (ATF) thing. Without becoming an NFA firearm, the minimum barrel lengths for rifles and shotguns are different. It is 16 inches for rifles, and 18 inches for shotguns.
Click to expand...

Ken-

How many rounds have you fired out of this thing?!
 
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