If the mags are pre-ban which you stated they were, then you can legally own them and use them. The whole thing about the # of US parts is in refrence to you putting a pistol grip stock set on the rifle. Just go and shoot and enjoy the rifle.

Kharn,
do you have a link for this info.

I guess my memory could be off but if the rifle was meant to take a detachable mag and it accepts the hi-cap mags then there should be no problem. If the rifle isn't classified as an assault rifle and doesn't possess any evil features then he should be OK.

[url]http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter26.txt[/url]

September 4, 1997

Mr. Edward M. Owen, Jr.
Chief, Firearms Technology Branch
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Washington, D.C. 20226

Dear Mr. Owen:

The purpose of this letter is to request determination regarding
the legality of using high capacity magazines in imported
semiautomatic rifles.

1.    Is it allowable to use high capacity magazines (i.e. 20 round,
     30 round, 75 round) in semiautomatic rifles currently being
     imported into this country (i.e. Bulgarian SLR-95, Egyptian
     Maadi ARM, Romanian WUM-1, Century Arms FAL Sporters)?

2.    If a semiautomatic rifle was imported after 1989, does the
     date of import of a semiautomatic rifle have any bearing on
     the legality using high capacity magazines in the imported
     semiautomatic rifle?  If so, please provide the criteria for
     determining which configuration would be allowable or examples
     of allowable configurations.

Your assistance in resolving these questions is greatly
appreciated.

Sincerely,

[signed]



                     DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
               BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
                        WASHINGTON, DC 20226

                             OCT 28 1997

                                                          E:CE:FT:RAT
                                                          3311


Dear :

This refers to your letter of September 4, 1997, in which ask about
using a large capacity magazine in a semiautomatic rifle.

A large capacity magazine having a capacity of more than 10 rounds
can be used in any semiautomatic rifle, provided that the magazine
was lawfully possessed prior to September 14, 1994.  It is unlawful
for an individual to possess or transfer a large capacity magazine
which was manufactured after September 13, 1994.  We have included
for your perusal additional information on semiautomatic assault
weapons and large capacity ammunition feeding devices.

We trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry.
If we may be of further assistance, please contact us.



                          Sincerely yours,

                              [signed]
                         Edward M. Owen, Jr.
                  Chief, Firearms Technology Branch

Enclosure

This is true.  HOWEVER, in some cases, the supplied magazine is counted as as many as three of those US parts (mag body, follower, floorplate).  Many cheaper Century guns come with a US-made mag and a card that specifically states "Only US-made magazines (such as the one providied) are legal for use with this gun" or words to that effect.  The reason those rifles are cheap is because instead of replacing some of the more expensive imported parts (such as internals like the gas piston and fire-control parts), they replace CHEAP parts like followers and floorplates.  The problem is that you are then forced to get "US Parts Kits" for your mags to stay legal.  Other rifle models cost more, but have more US-made internals, and can use imported mags.

Yes, all of this is STUPID, and probably no one would ever know or care, but regardless, it IS the law.  You'll have to judge for yourself what level of exposure you are comfortable with.

-Troy