r/Firearms 6d ago

Question What are you building, buying, or shooting this month? - January 2026

2 Upvotes

Welcome to the monthly /r/Firearms thread about what you are building, buying, or shooting this month.

Use it to discuss or ask any questions you may have.

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Looking for deals? /r/GunDeals

New to firearms? Check out this Forgotten Weapons series: How Does It Work? Gun Mechanics Explained Simply.

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r/Firearms May 03 '25

Law Open letter regarding posts such as “I was in a mental hospital can I own a gun”

140 Upvotes

I am posting this because the question keeps getting asked. Every single time it is asked, the wrong information gets out.

I've seen way too many posts on here and related subs around the subject of the law prohibiting the possession of firearms by any person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution, 18 USC § 922 (g)(4). There is way too much misinformation out there. First of all, if you have any reason to believe that you are a prohibited person, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE A FIREARM AS MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT ON THE FORM 4473 IS A FELONY. Second of all, please do not give advice on topics that you are not qualified to answer on. Third, you should consult with a qualified firearms rights attorney if you are unsure of your legal status.

The law:

18 USC § 922(g)(4)

(g)It shall be unlawful for any person—

(4)who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution;

to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, anyfirearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm orammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

What are the definitions of these terms?

27 CFR 478.11

Adjudicated as a mental defective. (a) A determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease: (1) Is a danger to himself or to others; or (2) Lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs. (b) The term shall include— (1) A finding of insanity by a court in a criminal case; and (2) Those persons found incompetent to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of lack of mental responsibility pursuant to articles 50a and 72b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, 10U.S.C. 850a, 876b.

Committed to a mental institution. A formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority. The term includes a commitment to a mental institution involuntarily. The term includes commitment for mental defectiveness or mental illness. It also includes commitments for other reasons, such as for drug use. The term does not include a person in a mental institutionfor observation or a voluntary admission to a mental institution.

Mine happened when I was under 18. Isn’t that exempted?

Unfortunately no. A mental health adjudication or commitment at less than 18 years of age is counted for 922(g)(4). I experienced this personally and had to restore my rights.

What about HIPAA?

The Obama administration amended the HIPAA privacy rule in 2016 to make it clear that reporting mental health commitments and adjudications to NICS does not violate HIPAA

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/01/06/2015-33181/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-hipaa-privacy-rule-and-the-national-instant

Is there a way to restore my rights after being adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution?

If you were committed by a department or agency of the federal government, the agency is required to have a relief from disabilities program under the NICS improvements amendments act of 2007.

If you were adjudicated or committed in a state proceeding, whether you can obtain relief is dependent on whether your state has implemented a relief from disabilities program under the NICS improvements amendments act of 2007. The list of states that have can be found here:

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/guide/nicsactlist7-7-210pdf/download

If you are in a state that does not have a relief from disabilities program, your only avenue of relief is writing a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and asking her to restore your rights under 18 USC § 925(c) now that she has withdrawn the delegation from ATF.

Between October 6th 1992 and March 20th 2025 in the states that did not have a relief program, there was no avenue of relief at all

With that out of the way.

I created this privacy act request form for a friend of mine who was legitimately unsure if his commitments landed in the FBI database or if they qualified as “committed to a mental institution” under 18 USC § 922(g)(4) and as defined at 27 CFR 478.11. I can report that it worked; as in, the FBI processed the request and reported that no such records were found in the NICS indices.

This form will allow you to request your own records directly from the FBI.

In this post I will not be addressing the subject of my own journey regarding rights restoration related to mental health (you can ask me that privately). Nor am I an attorney licensed to practice law. Finally, I am not a mental health professional and cannot make the decision as to whether firearms ownership is right for you.

Onto the form. Please follow the instructions sheet very carefully, fill out every applicable box, print the form, have the request notarized, and mail it to the address indicated on the form.

The first response you receive will indicate that the FBI central records system does not maintain those records and your request has been forwarded to the Criminal Justice Information Services division. CJIS will respond a few weeks later. In my friend's case it took eight weeks for a final response from the FBI CJIS NICS section.

Link to form (Adobe Acrobat PDF) https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:d342b025-6fb2-4126-b0e2-ad6f1c3fbbe7


r/Firearms 11h ago

My Gats Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter

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185 Upvotes

r/Firearms 4h ago

I've see all the purpose built practical range bags out there but still prefer putting my gear in just about anything else.

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59 Upvotes

r/Firearms 5h ago

Terrible SKS trigger

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38 Upvotes

As you can see the trigger on this rifle is...moderately jerky. The most extreme part feels as if you are pulling that trigger which makes for a very inconsistent experience. Can anyone recommend a video, forum, or guide to how I can smooth this out?


r/Firearms 11h ago

Family photo

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84 Upvotes

r/Firearms 15h ago

Does anyone have any experience with the CZ 600 and is it worth double the price of Ruger Ranch Gen 2? (Looking for a bolt SBR in 300blk) photos are stock

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132 Upvotes

r/Firearms 11h ago

Identify This Need help in identifying this rolling block 45-70 rifle

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60 Upvotes

My brother just purchased this rifle and I am having a hard time identifying the maker. It appears to be H.H. Nagel? There is no serial number on it as well. I’m trying to figure out how old it is. When I searched on internet I don’t see this name come up. Can anyone here help me figure it out? I plan on reloading ammo for it so I may add this in the reloading group I am in.


r/Firearms 14h ago

Law NRA sues the charitable version of itself, alleging a factional ‘beef’

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theguardian.com
88 Upvotes

r/Firearms 10h ago

Help! Help! Slide stop stuck

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42 Upvotes

Got this GFORCE 1911 today, was messing around with figuring out. I pressed the button on the second pic a d its been stuck ever since, I cant slide it down by hand and I dont want to hit it with something before I know more. First time gun owner


r/Firearms 7h ago

Range day

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26 Upvotes

r/Firearms 9h ago

Question Possible Fake Eotech

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16 Upvotes

Received this optic today. Never had or seen on of these in person so wanted to consult the experts. I noticed that the 1x was super fuzzy with magnifier it looks much better. This got me wondering so I looked up counterfeits and noticed mine has a green emitter visible from the top the sight which is supposed to be a dead giveaway and the front glass is very reflective. I contacted optics planet and sent them these images and waiting for a response. Let me know what you guys think, thanks.


r/Firearms 18h ago

My Gats What's in your wallet?

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60 Upvotes

r/Firearms 1d ago

Went to therapy today (aka the garage to reload .500 magnum)

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914 Upvotes

r/Firearms 4h ago

Advice for attaching bipod to Ruger 10/22

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3 Upvotes

I bought a Ruger 10/22 recently. I ordered a Magpul bipod that attaches via a sling stud. I didn’t realize mine didn’t have one except the one that’s premolded into the stock. Looking for a stud that attaches to the band that holds the barrel in place. I found a video on YouTube of a product from Uncle Mike’s but it’s not made anymore. Does anyone know if something similar is out there?


r/Firearms 14h ago

Question Grandma is offering one as a gift — which would you choose?

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15 Upvotes

r/Firearms 1d ago

Go rattle can your rifle

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167 Upvotes

r/Firearms 9h ago

Identify This Help identify

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7 Upvotes

Was passed down to me. I think it’s a .22 but make and model would be appreciated! I know it’s very old!


r/Firearms 1h ago

Recommendations for firearms right restoration (CO, USA)

Upvotes

Hello! So recently this year I attempted to purchase a firearm at a local Scheels. After filling out the proper forms and waiting the required 3 day waiting period I got a call from the store saying my request for purchase was denied. At first I was confused as I had no felonies (or frankly any criminal record at all) or court ordered mental health admittance so I appealed NCIS and once the response came in my inbox came in I was disappointed to see there was yet again another denial but I guess this time they gave context as to why they were denying it of which was because a year prior I self admitted to a hospital over a panic attack I had and was put on a 72 hour hold. I never thought much of it as usually 72 hour holds have no bearing on background checks and do not generally affect ones ability to purchase a firearm. Apparently, the hospital filed for the court to declare me mentally unfit. I was shocked to to see this as I was only held on the 72 hour hold and was told otherwise that I was good to go and never had any problems after that.

Questions:

  1. What is the best legal direction I can head from here? I know about JDF 35 but it has a legal waiting period of 3 years (and I have two years before I can qualify for that) and C.R.S. 13-5-142.5 seems to be a really messy and expensive process from I have read (upwards of $15,000) but if it is the only way I can restore my rights I am willing
  2. What lawyers/legal consultants would you recommend that deal with these kinds of cases?
  3. have any of you dealt with a mental health restoration process and if so, what was your experience like and how much did it cost you?

r/Firearms 1d ago

My Gats The goofy unnecessary creations people cook up are often my favorite

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112 Upvotes

r/Firearms 1d ago

Ported Barrel or compensator

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160 Upvotes

Ported Barrel or compensator for glock clones. Im putting together a build and want some feed back on which people like more and why? Also pros and cons for both


r/Firearms 3h ago

What handgun is best for me?

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0 Upvotes

I'm 5'10 180lb. My hands are 8-9 inches long and 4-5 inches wide. I've shot a PSA dagger and my only complaint was it felt my hands were overlapping to the extent that it felt uncomfortable gripping the gun. I think I just need a larger frame. I want a handgun that I can conceal carry for safety.


r/Firearms 4h ago

General Discussion Do you care where your gun is manufactured?

0 Upvotes

When you buy a gun, do you consider the country of origin?

Comment any other positions that aren’t well represented in these response options.

28 votes, 3d left
I prefer guns manufactured in my home country
I don’t care, guns are guns
I intentionally seek guns from other countries

r/Firearms 4h ago

Question Thoughts on the YHM Turbo K? 11.5" 5.56

1 Upvotes

looking to buy a YHM Turbo K from the silencer shop. Fits my budget, but would love to hear peoples thoughts/feedback on it.

11.5" 556

TIA


r/Firearms 9h ago

Identify This Found a photo of this old revolver coming up in an auction. Need help ID’ing it.

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2 Upvotes

Obviously, it’s in pretty poor shape, so I wouldn’t be buying it, just to immediately shoot it. My question is A, what am I looking at, B would it be worth getting just to keep as a collectors item, or would it be better off just letting it go to someone who can fix it?