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Posted: 1/7/2004 3:35:15 PM EDT
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I am new to the assault rifle scene, so if I ask anything stupid please be nice. First I have done a LOT of reading but it is so easy to get confused on what is legal and what is not. First, is it legal to convert an AR-15 into a fully automatic weapon if you properly go through the whole paperwork process and then pay the ATF? With that in mind...I am interested in building a AR-15 with a M4 profile that I may or may not later convert to fully automatic depending on legality and $$$. I am now and the point where I need to decide what lower receiver to purchase. Bushmaster sounds to be the most popular even though I prefer Colt. I also heard that Colt makes their lowers special so they don't "accidently" get assembled with M16 parts. Is this true? Also, does the Bushmaster lower receiver accept the required M16 parts needed for the fully auto conversion with modification? Thanks for your input... Nate |
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Ah Ha!!! Q: How do I make a semi auto gun into a machine gun? A: Generally, you don't, unless you want to spend the next 10 years in prision and pay a $100K fine. No new machine guns can be made, as per the 1986 ban. We have to keep trading the ones already out there. But with certain platforms (M16/HK/and others), there are registered conversion devices (that themselves are considered MG's and were also registered with the BATF before the 1986 ban) that you can "put in" a sem-auto weapon to make it into a MG. These conversion devices are in the $5K-$6K range and going up at the same rate as registered-receivers (semi-auto's converted to MG's and registered with the BATF before the 1986 ban) and domestic factory MG's that were legally registered with the BATF before the 1986 ban and foreign made MG's that were registered with the BATF before the 1968 ban. I guess I need to stop reading legal documents and read more forums... |
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I'm new enough here to not mind answering your questions but I have been around long enough to be able to answer them fairly accurately (I think). If I make any mistakes, I'm sure one of the old timers will be around to set me straight! :) As explained above, you will never be able to turn an AR15 into an M16 legally. Just so you know, if it was legal, All lower manufactures (that I'm aware of anyway) make their lowers to 100% military spec (except for Colt) meaning there would be no problem. Colt lowers present two issues. The first is they leave some extra material in the receiver that would prevent the use of an Auto-Sear(sp?) (needed for fully auto fire). A competent machinist can mill out the "sear block" eliminating this issue. The second thing is Colt likes to use non-standard sized holes for the front pin and\or trigger pins. Not a big issue but a PITA if you try to use non Colt uppers\triggers etc. Keep in mind not every Colt lower has any or all of these issues. They've changed them around over the years. All other lower manufactures produce receivers that are fairly comparable. The level of fit and finish may vary between them with upper end (on the cost side) Bushmaster being a little more consistent quality than say maybe Olympic. Price is not always the determining factor. Eagle Arms lowers which can be had for $85 are reportedly great. It can be hit or miss and I think some just end up choosing the one that they like the stamped logo of the best? What ever you get, almost all would agree to get a forged rather than cast receiver. Not that cast is that bad (for a weekend plinker) but they can break. Forged units are not much more in price but are a heck of a lot stronger. Hope that helps (edited to make more sence :) ) |
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