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Posted: 5/10/2008 9:22:45 PM EDT
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Hello all, First off, if this is the wrong place for this thread, I'm very sorry. Now, I'm interested in buying an M4 (A3 model, specifically) type carbine. I'm currently in the military (Active-ARNG) as 19D (Cav Scout). I use the M4's as my primary weapon within my unit, and would like to have one for personal ownership to train on my own to keep my skills somewhat honed. What all is needed in order for me to accomplish buying one? I have no idea where to even start about paperwork/permits/licenses etc. Any help, and even a how-to would be greatly appreciated. Thanks SPC Tyler Young 1BN/167th Infantry |
| I'd suggest you start by reading the FAQ on this subject: NFA FAQ |
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Well that would be exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you very much. So, living in Alabama, I'm alright to buy an M4A3 (it's not considered a "machine gun" is it, since it doesn't have a AUTO setting?) with what paperwork? I really don't know what I'm doing other than actually handling the weapon on duty. Thanks! |
First, a machine gun does not have to have an AUTO setting -- the definition of an MG is a firearm which fires more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger. So BURST-function guns are just as much MGs as are AUTO guns. Alabama does not allow short-barrelled rifles, only MGs. So a semi version of the M4 is out in your state. You would have to buy a pre-1986 M16 and reconfigure it as an M4 by installing M4-spec upper and stock. Figure about $10k for a conversion receiver or about $13k for a factory Colt M16A1, then about $1k more for the parts to reconfigure it to M4 spec. You can swap in the three-round burst internals if you want, but it's more useful to leave the receiver as SAFE/SEMI/AUTO. HTH! |
By this tony_k means no 14.5" barreled semi auto M4s, if you decide to go the semi auto route you can get a 16" M4 style rifle, a 14.5" M4 style rifle with a flash suppressor permanently attached to bring it to 16" overall or a 14.7" M4 style rifle with an A2 flash suppressor permanently attached. Doesn't really matter how you do it as long as you have 16" total inches of barrel. |
| So this model (Bushmaster M4A2/A3 Type) would be acceptable, as compared to this one Bushmaster M4A2/A3 Hvy Bbl. |
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The first one you listed is restricted, since it has a 14.5" barrel. As a semi-auto, it is restricted by Federal law as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR), and as a full auto it is restricted (Federal law) to Law Enforcement/Military sales. Due to State law, it appears you can't own that one at all, even as a semi-auto (which would be an SBR). The second one you can own, since it has a 16" barrel (the minimun barrel length for unrestricted civilian sales under Federal law), athough even this one must be semi-auto only; no 3 round burst, no full auto. The other two replies above cover the way you could obtain as close of a clone as possible to a "real" M4 carbine, and also the way you could permanently alter a 14.5" barrel into an unrestricted 16" barrel (14.7" + permanent (blind pinned and welded over) A2 flash hider looks real close). One other option would be to purchase a (registered and transferable to individuals, pre-1986) Colt M-16A2 as the base weapon for your M4 conversion. That would set you back about $18-20,000, depending on condition and whether or not the weapon is gray or black (black costs more!). That would be the ultimate you could get as a regular ol' U.S. Citizen, if money were no object. 
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