Frogbert, SKS Info on Conversions to US Made
Hey Frogbert, I dug into it a bit more, the ATF considers 20 parts in defining if a rifle has gained "US Made" configuration. To legally accept detatchable magazines, an SKS rifle must contain enough US made parts to classify it as "Made in USA". It must have NO MORE THAN 10 imported parts from the following list. Those parts are:
(1) Receivers
(2) Bolts
(3) Triggers
(4) Pistol grips
(5) Barrels
(6) Bolt carriers
(7) Hammers
(8) Forearm hand guards
(9) Barrel extensions
(10) Operating rods
(11) Sears
(12) Mounting blocks (trunions)
(13) Gas pistons
(14) Disconnectors
(15) Followers
(16) Muzzle attachments
(17) Trigger housings
(18) Butt stocks
(19) Magazine Floor plates
(20) Magazine bodies
For example, if you wanted to make a detatchable magazine assualt rifle from an imported SKS, you could replace the following:
(1) Gas Piston
(2) Magazine Follower
(3) Magazine Floor Plate
(4) Pistol Grip
(5) Butt Stock
(6) Forarm Handguard
(7) Operating Rod
(8) Sear
(9) Muzzle Attachment
(10) Trigger
If an SKS contained all the above US made parts, it would fall under the classification of a US made rifle. I think a US made folding stock with pistol grip and US made forarm would count as three parts. The problem is, there are not enough people making SKS parts in the USA to compensate for required items like triggers, hammers, sears, disconnectors, bolts, and those harder to manufacture items.
When an AK47 styled rifle is made in the USA, as sold by manufacturers, there are no more than 10 of these foreign made parts, coming from imported parts kits. The rest of the parts (from the list) are US made. There are a lot of things like USA made AK47 triggers, hammers, sears, gas pistons, pistol grips, butt stocks, forearms, and such available. It is really reasonably easy to make a US compliant AK47 rifle. I don't think it is so easy to make a US compliant SKS rifle.
Of course, I would have to add that law enforcement officials are not too interested in finding out whether or not an SKS rifle is technically US compliant. I have seen numerous technically illegal SKS rifles walking around gunshows, and for sale on dealer's tables. These were looked at by Sherriff's officers prior to entering the shows, with no problems. It is reasonably safe to say that, unless you charged with something like selling drugs, making meth, abusing or raping children, or a similar crime while in possession of an illegally manufactured SKS rifle, there will probably be no adverse ramifications.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.
(1) Receivers
(2) Bolts
(3) Triggers
(4) Pistol grips
(5) Barrels
(6) Bolt carriers
(7) Hammers
(8) Forearm hand guards
(9) Barrel extensions
(10) Operating rods
(11) Sears
(12) Mounting blocks (trunions)
(13) Gas pistons
(14) Disconnectors
(15) Followers
(16) Muzzle attachments
(17) Trigger housings
(18) Butt stocks
(19) Magazine Floor plates
(20) Magazine bodies
For example, if you wanted to make a detatchable magazine assualt rifle from an imported SKS, you could replace the following:
(1) Gas Piston
(2) Magazine Follower
(3) Magazine Floor Plate
(4) Pistol Grip
(5) Butt Stock
(6) Forarm Handguard
(7) Operating Rod
(8) Sear
(9) Muzzle Attachment
(10) Trigger
If an SKS contained all the above US made parts, it would fall under the classification of a US made rifle. I think a US made folding stock with pistol grip and US made forarm would count as three parts. The problem is, there are not enough people making SKS parts in the USA to compensate for required items like triggers, hammers, sears, disconnectors, bolts, and those harder to manufacture items.
When an AK47 styled rifle is made in the USA, as sold by manufacturers, there are no more than 10 of these foreign made parts, coming from imported parts kits. The rest of the parts (from the list) are US made. There are a lot of things like USA made AK47 triggers, hammers, sears, gas pistons, pistol grips, butt stocks, forearms, and such available. It is really reasonably easy to make a US compliant AK47 rifle. I don't think it is so easy to make a US compliant SKS rifle.
Of course, I would have to add that law enforcement officials are not too interested in finding out whether or not an SKS rifle is technically US compliant. I have seen numerous technically illegal SKS rifles walking around gunshows, and for sale on dealer's tables. These were looked at by Sherriff's officers prior to entering the shows, with no problems. It is reasonably safe to say that, unless you charged with something like selling drugs, making meth, abusing or raping children, or a similar crime while in possession of an illegally manufactured SKS rifle, there will probably be no adverse ramifications.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.
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Thanks, boeboe, for your terrific post. Too bad our lawmakers can't word things so clearly and to the point.
Personally, I think the modification of the SKS is more trouble than it's worth. One should just spend that time making a little extra money and then buy a good quality AK, already configured legally, like my SLR. The SKS rifles I have now are unaltered, excellent and have matching serial numbers. One of the requirements for staying free and well armed, is to respect the law. I do, I will, and I shall.
See you, in this manner of speaking, later.
Frog.[^]
RRiBBButt...0 -
Send an Email to Kimber Kid, he built one up 922r legal.
Regards,0 -
To use detachable magazines with an SKS does NOT require adding US parts. The requirements are: No bayonet and remove bayonet lug; Do not have other "evil" features such as grenade launcher, flash hider, or protruding pistol grip stock, i.e. (AK) style. That's it.
To attach a folding stock to an SKS that did not come with one does require adding US parts. People have been legally using detachable SKS mags for years by simply grinding off the bayonet lug and using the original stock. The assault weapon ban that recently expired didn't change anything as far as SKS's go. The bans and restrictions on them now are still the same as before.0 -
Yes, that is correct, you could remove the bayonet lug and retain the original stock, but Frogbert's original question was about the legality of one that already had the folding stock installed.
MEMBER SINCE 10/24/1999.
To err is human, to moo is bovine.0
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