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Posted: 8/20/2026 1:52:24 AM EDT
[Last Edit: foggy][Edited]
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With the availability (and cheap cost) of submachine gun kits/barrels, is anyone working on getting open bolt semi-auto firearms legalized again? Would be awesome to have cheap/historic SBRs without having to butcher them into a closed bolt config. It looks like it may just be a few ATF rulings, not actual law. |
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Originally Posted By RenegadeX: There is no ban on Open Bolt Firearms. A couple guns were ruled MGs because you could get F/A fire with no modifications. You figure out how to make one where that cannot happen, you are GTG. Is there not? Most SMG conversions involve expensive and time consuming conversions from open to closed bolt. From what I can see, the ATF considers the open bolt category to be off limits. Maybe I should inquire if an open bolt STEN with a 1rd mag permanently welded in place would be GTG. Is that even semi-auto? |
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The other possibility would be something like the bolt's movement forceably resetting the trigger such that the trigger is back in position to be pulled before the bolt travels rearward enough to pick up the next round. Cheap, historic pistol caliber SBRs would be awesome... |
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Originally Posted By foggy: The other possibility would be something like the bolt's movement forceably resetting the trigger such that the trigger is back in position to be pulled before the bolt travels rearward enough to pick up the next round. Cheap, historic pistol caliber SBRs would be awesome... Uzi in the semi auto position some how blocking or modifying so only semi auto is possible? |
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Originally Posted By RenegadeX: There is no ban on Open Bolt Firearms. A couple guns were ruled MGs because you could get F/A fire with no modifications. You figure out how to make one where that cannot happen, you are GTG. This.  Gun Law 101: The MYTH of the Open Bolt Semi-Auto Ban |
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Originally Posted By Shadyman: Uzi in the semi auto position some how blocking or modifying so only semi auto is possible? |
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Originally Posted By EagleArmsHBAR: I sent a letter to the ATF asking if I could build up a receiver blank and weld the semi only trigger group to the receiver before doing any other parts of the build. They said no, an open bolt is a machine gun. This was about 15 years ago. Originally Posted By EagleArmsHBAR: Originally Posted By Shadyman: Uzi in the semi auto position some how blocking or modifying so only semi auto is possible? Its like the ATF implemented a defacto ban through rulings and not allowing and open bolt semi conversions as "not readily convertible" . |
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Originally Posted By foggy: Is there not? Most SMG conversions involve expensive and time consuming conversions from open to closed bolt. From what I can see, the ATF considers the open bolt category to be off limits. Maybe I should inquire if an open bolt STEN with a 1rd mag permanently welded in place would be GTG. Is that even semi-auto? That wouldn't fly .... SWD even tried to market a single shot, open bolt M11 .380 ....think it was called the SSM11A1 ......had no provision to accept a magazine .....ATF said no-bueno |
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Interesting, thanks. Originally Posted By Villafuego: That wouldn't fly .... SWD even tried to market a single shot, open bolt M11 .380 ....think it was called the SSM11A1 ......had no provision to accept a magazine .....ATF said no-bueno That's what I have heard, not just internet rumors but people that have sent letters. I just wonder if the current ATF leadership might take a less irrational approach. |
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Wow! Thank you for sharing this. 
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