re: 2026 Firearm Deals Thread

As long as you believe it. How many have you seen have problems with 5.56?

ETA: You do realize that the 223 marking was a political thing, right?

Target models do have a tighter chamber, but that's just Ruger covering their arse. Contrary to the internet experts, the 5.56 only has a longer lead for reliability reasons, but gives up accuracy potential. I'd be fine shooting 5.56 out of 223 chamber if that's all I had.

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I don't understand how those rifles don't require NFA registration and stamp. Did something change while I was under my rock?

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Yes-

Franklin Armory successfully cracked the legal code of the NFA.

Congress wrote the definition of a Short Barrel Rifle as:
Barrel less than 16 inches, rifled, designed to fire a single projectile with each trigger pull.
Obviously, the idea was to separate that from a machine gun, which would require MORE restrictions.

What Franklin Armory did was to develop a multiple projectile cartridge, which happened to share the same dimensions as a .556 round. I've heard it described as anything from rat-shot, to 2-3 sabot rounds in packing (and that seems like it might be the case)... this, which you can buy at their site:


LINK

They then DESIGNED the firearm to fire both these, and .556 rounds.

They then successfully argued in court that the firearm was NOT an SBR, because it did NOT meet the requirement of being DESIGNED to fire a single projectile. The courts agreed and stated that the ATF overstepped their authority, by attempting to restrict a firearm that didn't meet the definition provided by congress.

The Department of Justice settled with Franklin Armory, and issued a letter acknowledging that the Antithesis (and the Reformation, another F.A. firearm) are not SBR's under the NFA, and shall be sold as simply "firearms" under a 4473.
LINK

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Current Status of the Antithesis
As a result of the Agreement, the Antithesis is not a rifle, short-barreled rifle, nor is it an NFA
firearm; therefore, (i) no NFA forms are necessary to sell, transfer, transport, deliver, or otherwise
deal in or possess the Antithesis, and (ii) no ATF Form 5320.20, Application to Transport Interstate
or to Temporarily Export Certain National NFA Firearms, is necessary to transport the Antithesis
across state lines because the firearm is not subject to 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) or (b)(4).
Sales and Transfers of the Reformation and Antithesis Firearms
The Reformation and Antithesis are firearms under section 921(a)(3) of the GCA but are not rifles
or shotguns pursuant to the agreement. When transferring these firearms, FFLs should utilize the
“other firearm” box in block 24 on the ATF Form 4473.
Should you have any questions regarding this open letter, please contact the Firearms Industry
Programs Branch at (202) 648-7190 or FIPB@atf.gov.
Sincerely,
JENNIFER
CICOLANI
Digitally signed by
JENNIFER CICOLANI
Date: 2025.08.29
13:09:08 -04'00'
Jennifer L. Cicolani, Assistant Director
Office of Enforcement Programs and Services

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This seems kind of big.

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I think it's HUGE. Kind of surprised more folks aren't discussing it yet, but it's just slipped through.

I saw an email from Franklin Armory on it (I bought a binary trigger so I get their emails), and then I found a video from mrgunsngear

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So the design is different to be able to fire those proprietary rounds?

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I believe that to be the case **clarifying this- NO. Your AR can fire them.

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Or can my AR fire them and thus could be SBRd without additional paperwork?

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well... was your AR designed to fire them... that's the question. That's the clause that Franklin Armory was able to make work- these are sold from the manufacturer as INTENDED to be able to fire multiple projectile ammo. Last year's PSA wasn't INTENDED to do so.

2 major things of note here:
1) they have received the letter from the DOJ, stating it's good to go.
2) Franklin Armory has stated they will license this design to other companies... so that will fit into the "common use" deal. For example, if PSA buys a license and sells their own Antithesis firearm, there will be tons sold.

It's relatively expensive, but considering you are completely clear of NFA regs, including traveling, letting family use it, future sales etc.

For the record, I made a pretty big purchase last week or I think I would have already tracked one down and ordered. As it stands, maybe Christmas.

You can have this "grey" one for $350



LINK

Uh oh

all Antithesis stuff has been pulled down

Im sure it will shoot regular 5.56 also

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Well, it appears like the point is moot, since they pulled the listings.

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What the hell is going on out there? Its like talking about it made it disappear.

Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Utility 5.56mm Semi-Automatic Rifle with M-LOK Handguard - $329.99



LINK