I ahev a chance to buy a supposedly semi auto only M16, it is a Colt marked M16 lower, with a colt barrell and the guy was not sure if it was a colt upper or not.

How can I make sure this thing is legal?

I haven't seen it yet, I will probably have time to look at it tommorow, any help would be greatly appreciated.

If it has a small in both sides of the receiver above the safety switch (selector) and below the top edge of the lower receiver I would run away very fast unless he starts talking about a Form 4.

Bob

It could be one that was redone to match up with a registered drop in auto sear or lighting link.  I know Norrells is doing this.  It may also be a reweld.  That is a gray area as I have heard of rewelds being considered MGs if the demil was not done right.  Whatever you do find out the full deal before any money changes hands.

IDHunt

I guess it's possible to take a demilled M16 reciever, and reweld it to AR semi auto configuration, but I sure as hell wouldn't want one. I can tell you this; no manufacturer ever put our a civilian AR marked M16.

To give you an idea of ATFs attitude about markings; 30 years ago, when the govt was selling M1 carbines thru the DCM, they ruled that any carbine marked M2 on the reciever ring had to be junked, even if it contained only M1 parts. Moral of the story: ATF is very touchy about what's marked on the reciever[:D]