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Posted: 12/23/2015 9:36:17 PM EDT
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https://blog.full30.com/iwi-ace-recall-for-possible-nfa-issues/
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I didn't see any mention of this in the tech forum where it belongs, so here it is. Apparently, the IWI USA guys only recently realized that the ATF considers any AK derivative with 3 pins in the FCG to be a machinegun, regardless of what the pins are for. At least they caught it before the ATF did, and good on them for offering a full refund. Bad news for those who already got one, and worse for the rest of us; I predict that it'll be another few months before the rifles, pistols and the braced variants are released. For those who have one, I would strongly recommend sending it back and getting a refund until they are re-released. Better than the chance of having the ATF come to your home and take it without paying you for your property. Those reading this, please advise anyone you know who currently has one of these. EDIT: Nevermind, dupe. Found another thread in the AK general. Apparently, searching "Galil ace recall" in Google only gives the Colorado AR15 Shooters thread. 
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Some people did ask IWI, but reported never receiving an answer. Israel has different laws regarding firearms, so I can believe they didn't know about our ridiculous NFA laws... Especially since the ATF's "regulations" are not listed as laws, but are enforced as such. No idea why IWI USA didn't catch this earlier, though.
But the thing that sets off my bullshit detector is the fact that the ATF allowed them into the country in the first place. I see three explanations; 1) Incompetence. The inspector didn't know the ATF's current unwritten law about AK's with 3 pins in the FCG, didn't really look at the sample, or just signed the paperwork without even reading it. It happens. 2) Personal beliefs. For whatever reason, they knew that the Ace was in violation of the ATF regs, said "fuck it" and OK'd importation. Might have just figured that since it wasn't an actual AK, but a difference derivative, that it didn't matter so long as it wasn't full-auto and couldn't accept the standard 3-position FCG. (Which isn't even available in this country, but regardless. Details!) 3) Malicious intent. Unlikely, but it is possible that the ATF agent who looked at the samples knew they would be in violation, but OK'd importation since it would mean they could later arrest several people for illegally importing and owning unregistered machineguns. (Nevermind that they were approved for importation. The ATF changes its mind) And while they might not be able to prosecute anyone who owns an Ace for having an illegal MG, they could most definitely confiscate all of the Ace pistols without compensation, if they ruled that the Ace's are MG's based on the third pin. This is an extremely unlikely scenario, but with our current administration and the ATF's history of both incompetence and outright maliciousness, I wouldn't rule it out. Any thoughts? |
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Well as bummed out and pissed as it makes me, Im just happy to hear it isnt a quality issue with the guns themselves. Ive been dying to get my hands on the rifle, and now its probably going to be delayed even longer... which is really annoying. I was considering just buying a pistol and making it my first SBR. The only reason I didnt is because its been approaching the time frame IWI said the rifles would finally be released.
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Quoted:
Some people did ask IWI, but reported never receiving an answer. Israel has different laws regarding firearms, so I can believe they didn't know about our ridiculous NFA laws... Especially since the ATF's "regulations" are not listed as laws, but are enforced as such. No idea why IWI USA didn't catch this earlier, though. But the thing that sets off my bullshit detector is the fact that the ATF allowed them into the country in the first place. I see three explanations; 1) Incompetence. The inspector didn't know the ATF's current unwritten law about AK's with 3 pins in the FCG, didn't really look at the sample, or just signed the paperwork without even reading it. It happens. 2) Personal beliefs. For whatever reason, they knew that the Ace was in violation of the ATF regs, said "fuck it" and OK'd importation. Might have just figured that since it wasn't an actual AK, but a difference derivative, that it didn't matter so long as it wasn't full-auto and couldn't accept the standard 3-position FCG. (Which isn't even available in this country, but regardless. Details!) 3) Malicious intent. Unlikely, but it is possible that the ATF agent who looked at the samples knew they would be in violation, but OK'd importation since it would mean they could later arrest several people for illegally importing and owning unregistered machineguns. (Nevermind that they were approved for importation. The ATF changes its mind) And while they might not be able to prosecute anyone who owns an Ace for having an illegal MG, they could most definitely confiscate all of the Ace pistols without compensation, if they ruled that the Ace's are MG's based on the third pin. This is an extremely unlikely scenario, but with our current administration and the ATF's history of both incompetence and outright maliciousness, I wouldn't rule it out. Any thoughts? No one from ATF inspects the firearms that are imported. The version that got approved for import was the 2-hole receiver version. IWI in Israel shipped pistols with 3 holes, not knowing of the "once a machine gun always a machine gun" determination. IWI US eventually caught the issue, and started the recall process. |
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