Franklin Armory's Reformation Makes a Comeback

Following a recent legal victory, Franklin Armory has announced the return of their innovative Reformation firearm. This unique weapon, which first debuted in 2018, features Franklin Armory's patented straight cut land and groove rifling design that created a distinctive classification challenge.

The Reformation's unique barrel technology placed it outside traditional rifle or shotgun categories. Initially, Franklin Armory contended this meant the weapon could be sold with a short barrel without requiring a National Firearms Act (NFA) tax stamp. However, in 2019, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classified it as a Gun Control Act (GCA)-regulated short-barrel shotgun.

This classification was overturned last month following litigation by Franklin Armory. In February, the ATF issued a new ruling after the lawsuit, prompting the company to begin shipping various Reformation configurations to consumers through federally licensed firearm dealers.

Franklin Armory President Jay Jacobson emphasized the weapon's intended purpose: "Reformation was designed to be the ultimate home defense weapon. It provides excellent ballistic effectiveness in a short package, yet it does not trigger any NFA entanglements because the ruling made it clear that Reformation is simply just a GCA Firearm."

The lawsuit, FRAC v. Garland, resulted in U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor ruling that the ATF had "exceeded its authority" in attempting to classify the Reformation as a "shotgun." Key points from Judge Traynor's ruling included:

• Congress specifically defined a "shotgun" as having a "smooth bore"
• The definition of "smoothbore" is unambiguous, meaning a barrel with "no grooves or ridges on the inner surface"
• Straight grooves in a barrel would not fit the definition of either "smoothbore" or "rifle" according to contemporary dictionaries
• The ATF has authority to enforce laws, not change them
• The judge noted that Franklin Armory "presented a square peg, and ATF shoved it into a round hole"

The ruling ordered that the ATF's previous misclassification be vacated and that "No further action from ATF is needed."

Franklin Armory has clarified that ownership of a Reformation firearm is federally legal without requiring NFA-related tax stamps. FFLs can now transfer the Reformation as a GCA-only firearm, similar to other firearms in this classification such as the Mossberg Shockwave, Remington Tac-14, and Franklin Armory's XO-26.

Available Models

The Reformation is now available with 7.5-inch and 11.5-inch barrel options through Franklin Armory's dealer network in most U.S. states. Each model features the patented NRS™ (Not a Rifle or Shotgun) barrel technology and offers consumers a choice between:

1. A fine-tuned traditional semiautomatic trigger
2. Franklin Armory's patented Binary Firing System®, which allows a round to be fired on both pull and release of the trigger

Reformation RS7™

• Built on forged aluminum upper and lower receivers
• 7.5-inch barrel
• 7-inch Franklin Armory FST handguard
• Salt bath nitride bolt carrier
• B5 Bravo stock
• B5 P-Grip 23
• B5 vertical grip
• Pistol length gas system
• Franklin Armory's Triumvir® muzzle device (linear compensating and flash suppressing)
• Available in 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout
• MSRP: $1,179.99 (Binary®) or $1,099.99 (traditional semiautomatic)

Reformation RS11™

• Built on proprietary billet aluminum receiver set
• 11.5-inch barrel
• 11.5-inch Franklin Armory FSR handguard
• Salt bath nitride bolt carrier
• Magpul SL-K stock
• Ergo Ambi Sure grip
• Carbine length gas system
• Franklin Armory's Triumvir® muzzle device
• Available in 5.56 NATO and .300 Blackout
• MSRP: $1,669.99 (Binary®) or $1,479.99 (traditional semiautomatic)