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Posted: 2/10/2003 5:03:18 PM EDT
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I bet this has been asked before but, is it possible/legal to make a semi auto RPD from a parts kit? I know the receiver would have to be hand made and some redoing to the fire controls. Or am I better off sticking with my RPK clone with 40rds mags or a few drums? Thanks |
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Given the fact that with enough time and money one can make most anything, a semi RPD would surely be possible. The fact that, as designed, it fires from an open bolt complicates the matter though, and would require major modification, and parts fabrication for the fire control mechanism, plus the fabrication of a receiver that would not be "readily convertable". All that being done, you would end up with a rifle that wouldn't do anything your RPK can't with a drum under it. A real RPD is another matter though. If you ever get a chance to shoot one, you may be tempted to sell your car, house, and firstborn to have it. In FA, they are truly an awsome weapon, accurate, and cheap to shoot. That's my opinion, for whatever it's worth. Pete |
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you be right shortfal!the rpd is cheap to feed, controllable and fun as all get out to shoot. after seeing those cheap rpd kits (in very good/excellent) condition at knob creek, i have been tempted to piece one together. making a receiver would be a bear, but i have a bud's pmds gun i could copy. as bad as the rec would be, making the alterations to it and designing and building a semi-sear would be most challenging. and...you must rework the receiver in a way that the full auto parts cannot be installed into the semi receiver. lastly, in order to sleep well at night, a smart man would send his newly built gun off to the atf technical branch for approval and a letter certifying such. in the semi game, the rpk is much more builder friendly. |
| Over and over again, I've heard "can this be made semi-auto." I'm going to take a little of the mystery out. It ( like everything else ) costs money. Bags of money. If you really think you have a worthy design, Draw up blueprints, not a sketch on a napkin, and send it with a check to Mr. Owen in Washington DC. He used to be the chief over at the NFA branch. He will examine your print and give you feedback on what will have to be changed to meet ATF requirements. He's retired now, but runs a law office and stuff. You can count on spending about $2000 to $5000 for his troubles. If he approves it, it will fly with the ATF. So you send your design over to them, and wait about a year. Short of that, you're on your own. Build whatever you want, but if you are busted, be sure that whatever you do, no matter how carefully you've built it in semi-auto only, it will NOT pass review. They want to see it first, not in the middle of an investigation. If you had done anything really neat, that we all could have used, it will become criminalized and we will loose the chance to enjoy your breakthru idea. Sorry, that's how it works, if you want to be safe. |
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Another thought or two: For the amount of money, you might as well get a semi-MG34 or MG42. There used to be a Vickers and there are plenty of semi 1919-A4's. If you want to go with the 7.62X39 round, there will be some good quality RPK kits from Sarco this summer. My RPK is a joy. It is probably the easiest gun in the world to bump on the bipod. You can actually hit what you're aiming at and with the 75 round drum.... It's about the same as my M-16 on a bipod, with a little extra kick. So I'll second shortfal and Campy. They hit the nail on the head. |
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Thanks for the input. I figured it would be a pain to do, otherwise some ord. company would have tried it already. I'll pick up a drum for my NHM-91 and a few 40rd mags and be content; at least for a while. Or maybe I'll look at the 1919 semi's. The next question is do I buy a RPD parts kit and wait for someone else to come up with the receivers and semi auto fire control parts kit? :) So many projects so little money..... |
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