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Removing the fake silencer, Beretta 71

andy38340
I've seen some sold on GB that had the fake can removed. JG Sales says they "believe" it's legal to do so.

An internet search brought up on an interesting reference to the Gun Control Act of 1968. These Berettas had to have something added to the length of the barrel to make them legal to import. The post said once these guns were in this country, the GCA no longer applied.

Do any of you experts have any thoughts or point me in the direction where I can read this myself?

Thanks,
Andy
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • mark christian
    quote:Originally posted by andy38340
    The post said once these guns were in this country, the GCA no longer applied.



    If that were actually the case, the importer would have removed the fake cans the moment the pistols cleared US Customs and left the bonded warehouse where they were modified.
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  • andy38340
    That does make sense, but why then would the people at Century have gone through the trouble to have the fake can attached?
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  • mark christian
    quote:Originally posted by andy38340
    That does make sense, but why then would the people at Century have gone through the trouble to have the fake can attached?


    You already know the answer to your question:


    quote:Originally posted by andy38340

    An internet search brought up on an interesting reference to the Gun Control Act of 1968. These Berettas had to have something added to the length of the barrel to make them legal to import.
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  • Bill DeShivs
    You can shorten any pistol barrel legally.
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  • nmyers
    Well, I think everyone is right, but.....

    .....if a gun needed the points for, say, a thumb shelf on one of the grips, you could legally remove the grip & replace it with a flat grip. Similarly, you can remove the importer markings from any imported gun.

    The problem is, some (or all) of the importers installed the fake can on the M71 permanently. (How permanently, we don't know.) We also don't know if those selling recently imported M71's swapped out the barrel, or hack sawed the barrel to get the fake suppressor off.

    While you won't find anything in writing saying that you can't change parts on imported guns, you won't find anything saying that you can. Sometimes the fellas with the bulges in the cheap suits don't get involved with new questions until someone makes an issue about it; I would prefer to avoid conversations with them on any subject.

    Neal
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  • tsr1965
    Just about anything can be traced to when, and who imported it, by the serial number. If it had to meet certain criteria to meet GCA 1968 rules to get here, then it most likely still needs them, or the equivalent to be legal.

    I am assuming in this case the fake can was added to meet minimum barrel length requirements...much like the Krinkov's(they had an 8 1/2" barrel, but needed to be at least 16 to be legal, so an 8" fake can was put on them, and spot welded) that were imported 20 years ago, or so.

    Like Neal says, it is best to try not to ever have to talk with them folks.
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  • babun
    Here is some reading for you.

    https://www.atf.gov/file/61771/download

    I find no reference stating that the can must stay on AFTER it's in the USA. If removed, it can not leave and then re-enter as a legal gun again.
    Many pistols needed mods to get legal for importation, such as finger grip mag extensions, wider {fatter} grips, barrel lengthening.

    This was done to accumulate "points" to make the required number.

    At the same time there were/are pistols MADE in this country that would not pass the same tests but are legal firearms here.
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  • Hawk Carse
    Some years ago, there was an importer of South American revolvers who accepted delivery of guns with 3" barrels, strange long ramp front sights and strange short ejector rods. Once in the country, the barrels were shortened to 2" and everything came in to balance.

    The fake suppressors have been being pulled off these Berettas left and right. The methods for dealing with the "permanent" installation are all over the www.
    They are selling just fine, there is no need for the importer to hire sweat shop labor to clean them up. I doubt there is any law against you doing so.


    I would have bought one except for the tiny sights and lack of spare magazines.
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  • amparts
    Auto pistols need 75 points to be imported, in the case of barrel length you get a point for every 1/4" so adding barrel length is a simple way to add points. Slight weight gain also increases points. Once HERE they are here and you can decrease weight, add or remove sights AND shorten the barrel as it does not need points to stay HERE. The ATF web sight, usually is the best source but in this case they do not make it clear what happens to guns once imported. This is not 922R issue, only points needed to import. Barrel length is just one tool to get pistols in, look at the FN Model 1922 and MAB model D with adjustable sight and thumb rest grips to allow otherwise non-importable guns in. On many Llama and Star pistols the plastic grips had metal plates added to increase weight.
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  • andy38340
    Thanks for the input folks.
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