How does one X-Ray a machine gun? Can I use a medical X-Ray machine? Is it done like a medical X-Ray? Or is it a different type of X-Ray machine?



Also, what will it look like if the gun has been rewelded?


Thanks.


MGT

You have to ask a question to get an answer.

Here is what mine looked like when Xrayed at my chiropractors office.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1774738_AR_SBR_and_suppressor_X_Ray_picture.html

I am trying to figure out if an M14 has a reweld.

I would like to see what a rewelded gun looks like, especially one that been skillfully rewelded.

It'll be obvious. The weld will stick out like a sore thumb.

Normal:



Can't find a weapon, but here is a pipe that has been welded. It'll show up the same as a difference in the metal.

Now that I read it again if you have a really well done reweld about the only way to be sure is to xray. The ATF seized a number of guns from a builder back in the day, Stemple? Norrell? One of them. They claimed the guns were not actually rewelds, and instead guns the SOT got their hands on that fell off the back of a national guard truck. The ATF did finally xray them, and confirmed they were rewelds and returned them to the SOT. I'm sure someone will be along with the name of the SOT.

Any imperfections /voids beneath the surface of the weld would be what shows......

Depending on the quality of the reweld, and since it's a steel, perhaps Magnetic Particle Inspection would work????

Make some friends at a vet clinic, they have X-ray machines and much less restrictive standards on ya know, bringing a firearm into the building haha

If it were me and I was concerned about a gun being potentially welded together and I didn't own my own x-ray machine and know what welds look like when x-rayed under that machine I would create some weld samples.

I would order up say some 3/16" carbon steel bar stock of a couple different grades, maybe try and match the thickness of the receiver type where they are most commonly welded back together.

I would then makes test samples by TIG and MIG welding different pieces together using different filler rods and wire and dress all the welds down flush and clean.

Maybe make a dozen different samples and then take them with me when I got the gun x-rayed.  That way you have a bunch of x-rayed  control samples to use as reference material to know what a weld will look like under that specific machine and setting.

Obviously this route becomes more complicated if you don't have your own MIG and/or TIG machine, but assume you could farm that work out without too much trouble..

The only  suggestion I have as to where to go for the actual x-ray (short of making friends with your local vet or dentist) would be to reach out to Skot Ingram.  

He is off 2222 near four points and is a FFL07/02 and runs a pretty sizable metal fabrication business as his primary day job.   Given the amount of structural welding he does and which may require certification or xray at times, he may have a suggestions about where a machinegun could be x-rayed locally.  At a minimum he is least somebody local in both the gun and welding business that may have some better ideas/options for you.

Hope this helps.

Much thanks. I know a couple of them did rewelds, but one of them was able to preform black magic with it.

For your reading enjoyment in the event you don't subscribe to Small Arms Review.

http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=3168

Here's the old Firepower article on Norrell rewelds........he did a few as semi's as well......very tough to find....

Lots of portable x-ray and fluoro out there.  I used to have access to them all the time and took a nice shot of my loaded Glock.  

A how to on a Rewelded M 16 published in July 1986. It was already too late.

Thanks, fellas.

Very helpful.

That top one was my gun and my x-ray :-)  

It's a pretty early colt M4 upper and a Eagle Arms lower.

Post the X-ray. I am a board certified NFA Radiologist.

Seems legit

This is one of the best replies in a long time. Made go lol.

tag

IIRC, the owner of the site below is a member here.

http://xrayguns.com/

but have you kept up with your annual mandated continuing education requirements?

MGT, did you see this?

http://www.fulton-armory.com/%5Cfaqs%5CM1G-FAQs%5CWeld.htm

That is awesome!

Thanks.

Cheers!
-JC