Franklin Armory Produces NFA Exempt Short-Barrel Firearm

[Longshot231]

I'll let the videos explain it.







There isn't much on there website about it. However, they do say the barrel is rifled.

https://franklinarmory.com/shop/firearms/antithesis-at-125/

Here's some more articles about the FA Antithesis. Disclaimer, I haven't had the chance to read through everything yet but will later tonight.

Franklin Armory Declares Independence from the NFA with Antithesis

Franklin Armory announced today the launch of Antithesis, a new class of rifled, short-barrel firearm completely unregulated by the National Firearms Act (NFA).

www.ammoland.com

https://tacticalshit.com/franklin-armory-antithesis-firearms-revolutionizing-2a-freedom-with-nfa-free-short-barrel-firearms/

Trump’s ATF Reclassifies Franklin Armory Reformation and Antithesis

A win for Franklin Armory, the move is another effort by the Trump administration to weaken federal gun laws.

smokinggun.org

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/all-ffls-august-2025-open-letter-franklin-armory-reformation-and/download

The FA Reformation is old news but I will post these videos anyway. However, IMHO, it's worthless without rifling. Disclaimer, I stopped watching the video when it started keyholing.

 

[MO Fugga]

Straight rifling?

 

[Longshot231]

Straight rifling?

I don't know for the Antithesis but the reformation has straight lands and grooves, AKA straight rifling. However, unless there is a twist to the lands and grooves, then it really isn't rifling.

PS: I went back and read the articles. The .223 caliber Antithesis is designed to fire a special projectile. Actually, it's several nickel plated projectiles.

Here's a picture from one of the articles posted above.

Also from the article:

"How to Use Antithesis Multiple Projectile Assemblies

For optimal performance, Franklin Armory provides specific instructions for the Antithesis Multiple Projectile Assemblies:

Chamfer, Bell, and Lube: Each case mouth must be prepared before inserting the projectile assembly.

Gentle Seating: Carefully seat the projectile assembly into the casing to ensure proper function.

Compatibility Warning: Not suitable for firearms with suppressors or muzzle brakes.

Pro Tip: Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure safety and performance. Visit Franklin Armory’s website for detailed specifications and purchasing options."

So with all that said, the Antithesis is kind of worthless to me but kudos to FA for sticking it to the NFA and the ATF!

 

[TonyAngel]

I don't know. I suppose this is a moral victory of sorts, but the solution to the problem isn't much of a usable solution.

 

[Holliday]

I don’t mean to rain on anybody’s parade….BUT

To me this is the type of thing that losers celebrate…..

After having just had the BBC (the butchered Big Beautiful Bill or BBB) shoved up our backside, we are now acting like losers. We need to get a grip on ourselves.

We would not even be having this conversation if the BBB made it through instead of the BBC.

 

[Longshot231]

I don't know. I suppose this is a moral victory of sorts, but the solution to the problem isn't much of a usable solution.

I don’t mean to rain on anybody’s parade….BUT

To me this is the type of thing that losers celebrate…..

After having just had the BBC (the butchered Big Beautiful Bill or BBB) shoved up our backside, we are now acting like losers. We need to get a grip on ourselves.

We would not even be having this conversation if the BBB made it through instead of the BBC.

I agree with both of you. However, this does show how absurd the NFA is and how absurd the ATF is for their interpretations.

Rather than criticize FA, they should be commended for doing something.

My curiosity is beginning to warm with respect to the Antithesis in the 45ACP-45LC-410 configuration. It will be nice to see some reviews on that one.

 

[tsavo303]

Ok we’re missing the point. This is a regular 5.56 1-7 twist AR 7.5-12” bbl. But because they made special shot shells for it, it’s exempt from nfa without form4 or transfer fees or interstate restrictions. And shipping and transferring now due to court victories

 

[Im2bent]

I'm in komifornia pretty sure I'd be going bye bye for possession of a short barrel shotgun.

 

[Longshot231]

Ok we’re missing the point. This is a regular 5.56 1-7 twist AR 7.5-12” bbl. But because they made special shot shells for it, it’s exempt from nfa without form4 or transfer fees or interstate restrictions. And shipping and transferring now due to court victories

So are you saying that we could still shoot regular solid projectiles out of the Antithesis?

If so, does that necessarily mean we would need to have the specially made shot shells in possession? I don’t think so, because it is designed to shoot the specially made shot shells.

This where FA needs to do a better job of presenting this to the consumer.

To recap, are you saying that we could buy the Antithesis in 5.56 and shoot ball ammunition through it as much as we like but not worry about getting special shot shells for it?

 

[Norther]

 

[hlee]

Like pistol braces and solvent traps, if FA is too overt in their description, even a govt lawyer will see through the ruse…

 

[Longshot231]

Like pistol braces and solvent traps, if FA is too overt in their description, even a govt lawyer will see through the ruse…

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/all-ffls-august-2025-open-letter-franklin-armory-reformation-and/download

 

[Norther]

My curiosity is beginning to warm with respect to the Antithesis in the 45ACP-45LC-410 configuration. It will be nice to see some reviews on that one.

I can’t find any information about that at all.

 

[NHPiper]

If this is just about the ability to shoot multiple projectiles, hopefully someone smarter than me makes the argument that we can shoot shot shells through 5.56 barrels. Or short barreled shotguns don't need to be regulated if they have rifling if you can shoot a slug or buckshot.

Maybe there's some magic sauce I'm missing here but fingers crossed.

 

[tsavo303]

So are you saying that we could still shoot regular solid projectiles out of the Antithesis?

If so, does that necessarily mean we would need to have the specially made shot shells in possession? I don’t think so, because it is designed to shoot the specially made shot shells.

This where FA needs to do a better job of presenting this to the consumer.

To recap, are you saying that we could buy the Antithesis in 5.56 and shoot ball ammunition through it as much as we like but not worry about getting special shot shells for it?

Yes it shoots regular ammo also

 

[tsavo303]

Like pistol braces and solvent traps, if FA is too overt in their description, even a govt lawyer will see through the ruse…

It’s not a ruse . It’s taking advantage of stupidly worded govt definitions. They spent 1 million in legal fees to get atf to admit it was legal

 

[TonyAngel]

Ok we’re missing the point. This is a regular 5.56 1-7 twist AR 7.5-12” bbl. But because they made special shot shells for it, it’s exempt from nfa without form4 or transfer fees or interstate restrictions. And shipping and transferring now due to court victories

This is where I get lost. If the only difference between the FA rig and any other 5.56 pistol is the ammunition that has been developed for it, for use out of their barrel, then the exclusion should or could apply to all 5.56 ARs. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this.

Then what happens if you rebarrel your AR with a FA barrel?