WTF: No more pistol-grip AK's to be imported?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - WTF: No more pistol-grip AK's to be imported?

Posted: 8/5/2005 2:09:14 PM EDT

Got this off of http://classicarms.us/htm/news.htm:

It appears that the days of pistol grip AK high capacity rifles may be over indefinitely. From our understanding B.A.T.F. recently visited one of the major U.S. firearms importers to conduct a standard compliance audit. While there, a question arose as to wheather it was appropriate to have a protruding pistol grip stock on the AK rifle. It appears that the way that the law was written had left the matter somewhat open for interpretation. While the importer obviously felt that they were complying with the law, they were asked to discontinue distribution of the pistol grip style rifles until a final determination of how the law should be interpreted could be rendered.As such you can expect no further imported AK rifles with pistol grip stocks to be released until further notice.Bear in mind that this applies only to the High- Cap version of the AK's and not those rifles limited to 10 rounds. Some distributers and dealers still have a small quantity of the pistol grip rifles on hand but one would expect to see the prices on these rifle to continue to rise as the remaining small quantities sell out.
As a replacement to the pistol grip rifles the importers have once again brought back the skeletonized stock model. (For a photo of each rifle visit our firearms page. ) While the purist seem to balk at this style of stock I personally feel that it has some practical advantages over it's pistol grip counterpart. For one thing the dragonuv style stock is laminated with a steel buttplate which makes it not only very attractive but super strong and durable. The stock is also somewhat longer than the original AK stock which makes it more comfortable for the average American shooter.Furthermore, due to its one piece construction you don't have to worry about the grip screws vibrating loose due to the constant recoil. In fact the only downside I've seen is that the grip portion of the stock is a little thick which could cause slight discomfort to shooters with smaller hands.

UPDATE TO THE ARTICLE ABOVE.
AS OF EARLY FEBUARY 2004 WE ONCE AGAIN STARTED RECEIVING PISTOL GRIP AK RIFLES. HOWEVER WE ARE TOLD THAT THE FINAL INTERPRETATION OF THIS REGULATION IS STILL PENDING AND A CONFIGURATION CHANGE COULD HAPPEN AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. STAY TUNED.

Posted: 8/5/2005 2:38:31 PM EDT

[#1]

If that's the case, then it's a load of horse crap............seems like just as soon as we get the AWB thrown away, this crap comes along

Posted: 8/5/2005 2:39:16 PM EDT

[#2]

This doesn't make any sense.

Semi-automatic, magazine fed rifles in "non-sporting" configuration (ie pistol grip) capable of using "high" capacity "loading devices" have not been importable since 1989. This isn't new news.

This is why companies like Arsenal and Century bring in guns and add the minimum of domestic made parts and thus make them "domestic". The "no more than 10 imported parts" rule is part of the US Code. It is not a "ruling" from the ATF. Only Congress can change the code.

Posted: 8/5/2005 2:44:24 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
seems like just as soon as we get the AWB thrown away, this crap comes along

This is how internet rumors get started. Look at the dates mentioned in the "article". This web page hasn't been updated for a year and an half! There is no "crap" coming along.

Posted: 8/5/2005 2:52:14 PM EDT

[#4]

IIRC, the 10 parts rule is a regulation from the ATF. The underlying law just says something like a "non-sporting" rifle cannot be built out of imported parts. The ATF could futz with the 10 part rule if it so chose.

The orginal statement makes no sense, as "high capacity" AK rifles could no longer be imported with pistol grip since 1989, and the Clinton administration banned the import of all AK rifles with ability to accept high capacity magazines, pistol grip or not. AKs for civilians are imported as single stacks and then modified with enough parts to make them domestic before the magazine wells are modified to accept high capacity magazines.

Posted: 8/5/2005 2:53:36 PM EDT

[#5]

AS OF EARLY FEBUARY 2004 WE ONCE AGAIN STARTED RECEIVING PISTOL GRIP AK RIFLES.

Looks a little dated to me

Posted: 8/5/2005 4:48:40 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
IIRC, the 10 parts rule is a regulation from the ATF

The 10 part rule is in the CFR. While the resonsible regulatory agency (in this case the BATFE) does have a role in writing the CFR, they can't change it at thier whim. The 10 part rule is the law of the land.

Posted: 8/5/2005 4:51:51 PM EDT

[#7]

so what's new? Clinton did the sporting clause in 1998
no pistol grip AKs (sporting) are to be imported
just convert and comply with 922r once you do import
business as usual

Posted: 8/5/2005 5:44:54 PM EDT

[#8]

This is WAY OLD NEWS
Forget about ANY of that..

But since you have traveled down this path....

You have 2 things
(1) SPORTING
(2) NON-SPORTING

All of the "imported" ak's come in as a "sporting" weapon.
The means a 10 rd only single stack mag gun OR they come in as a non-pistol grip weapon (like the saiga's)
Once in this country they mill the mag well to fit 30rd mags, and add the required US PARTS so they are reclassified as a domestic made weapon (ie 10 or less imported parts).

You Can not import in ANY NON-SPORTING weapons unless leo/military.
You can not assemble ANY NON-SPORTING weapon from more then 10 imported parts (as listed on 922). This provision is Any weapon that is not importable.

Boys.. we got "SPORTING" AK coming in... just give them time to get the ball rolling...
Saiga's, WSAR's, and even some nice POLISH hunter's YUM YUM.

Posted: 8/5/2005 6:50:47 PM EDT

[#9]

We SERIOUSLY need to get rid of that fucking "sporting purposes" BS.

All right, we got rid of the AWB and we got rid of the frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers. Let's hit this next.

Posted: 8/5/2005 7:07:33 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
We SERIOUSLY need to get rid of that fucking "sporting purposes" BS.

All right, we got rid of the AWB and we got rid of the frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers. Let's hit this next.

sure as heck would make business alot easier and cheaper prices for Arsenal Inc. etc.

Posted: 8/5/2005 7:09:39 PM EDT

[#11]

Unless you count the recent barrel fiasco as crap, even if it's just enforcing something that was already there.............that is crap, and the sporting clause does need to be taken out.

quote]Quoted:

Quoted:
seems like just as soon as we get the AWB thrown away, this crap comes along

This is how internet rumors get started. Look at the dates mentioned in the "article". This web page hasn't been updated for a year and an half! There is no "crap" coming along.

Posted: 8/5/2005 8:24:28 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Quoted:
We SERIOUSLY need to get rid of that fucking "sporting purposes" BS.

All right, we got rid of the AWB and we got rid of the frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers. Let's hit this next.

sure as heck would make business alot easier and cheaper prices for Arsenal Inc. etc.

You said that right "cheaper prices for Arensal" we would never see the cheaper prices.