Short-Barreled Rifles (SBRs)

A **short-barreled rifle (SBR)** is, under federal law, a rifle with a barrel length under 16 inches or an overall length under 26 inches. SBRs are regulated under the **National Firearms Act** and require either a **Form 1** (to build one) or a **Form 4** (to buy one), plus a $200 tax stamp. The appeal of the SBR is straightforward: shorter rifles are more maneuverable in vehicles, doorways, and close quarters, and pair well with suppressors for home-defense or general-purpose use. A 10.5" or 11.5" AR-15 SBR with a suppressor is the canonical home-defense carbine for shooters willing to deal with the paperwork. As of 2026, **eForms** has cut NFA wait times dramatically — Form 1 SBR approvals under 30 days are now typical — which has accelerated SBR adoption considerably compared to the 9-month wait times of the 2010s.