Cut Receivers
I have been looking at Gunsnstuff.net, and there are quite a few sub machine guns for sale, usually in kits, with the receiver cut in pieces. How do you go about getting or finding a receiver to replace the one that was cut up? I assume that cutting the receiver is "fatal" to it, such that it cannot be repaired. I further assume that you have to find a receiver that is somehow legal under the GCA. Any info or tips would be appreciated.
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My tip is: forget about it.
You will probably NEVER see a replacement receiver sold for any of these demilled guns. They can't be imported, they can't be manufactured, and they never will be. While a highly skilled machinist could probably weld these pieces together (or, for that matter, make a new one from scratch), that would be illegal, and all of them that I know are too smart to risk 5 years or more in a Federal prison for doing so.
Supply and demand controls the market. There is a relatively fixed supply, but demand is high. So, the only way to buy a Class III weapon is to outbid everyone else who wants it.
Neal0 -
As always, Neal Myers' information is based on solid facts. Once apon a time it was possible to do something legal with one of these kits...but those days have long since past. The BATF rules for DEMILing a receiver today is vastly different than, say 20 years ago. Back then if the receiver was simply cut in half with a ban saw it was considered scrap and sold to junk dealers or anyone else. An enterprising fellow could weld these two pieces together and using a BATF Form 1, register it as a new machinegun. The results dependend on who did the welding and varied from near perfect to miserable.
Starting in the early eighties, the BATF began a policy of mandating that firearms receivers be cut into THREE pieces and that an minimum of 1/4" of metal must be displaced from the ends of each piece- the center piece would there by be missing 1/2" (1/4" on each of two ends) and the 1/4" removed from the two other pieces, added together, would mean a total of 1" of metal must be removed from the receiver. As Neal mentioned, a really skillful man could perhaps get the thing welded back together but it would be a real chore to get it to function. All of that plus the fact that the manufacture of new machineguns for transfer to private individuals ended in May, 1986 means that you really can't do anything with these "kits", except get into trouble.
The entire reason that you see these items for sale is because they are surplussed from militarys around the world and rather than simply scrap them, there are importers who'll pay hard cash for these things. The importers are able to turn a profit on what would otherwise be scrap iron any where else on this planet because Americans are rich (and we are by world standards)and will buy nearly anything if we think it is either interesting enough or cheap enough!
Also, forget all about taking one of these kits and building it into a semi auto rilfe as that would involve far more effort and hassel than it would ever be worth. Since you can't use the scrap receiver for that purpose, you would have to design and build a special semi auto only receiver and it would probably never pass through the BATF Technical Branch who'd have to okay ANY design you'd attempt.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Hi all, I dug this topic up because I have a question about unfinished receivers. I did a search and found a few companies selling unfinished receivers listed as being for many of the parts kits mentioned in the above post. They can be shipped to your door and are sold with templates and instructions. They can purportedly be put together by a competent gunsmith. Most can be had for under $100. I saw some for Uzi's, Sten's, AK's, AR's, etc. Some are being sold as "80%" finished.
My question. How can these guys get away with selling these things? This can't be legal. I couldn't imagine any "competent" machinists taking a chance either. Are these receivers just overpriced paperweights?? Or are there any people who can legitimately buys and assemble these things?0 -
Duster, these items are legal but questionable. Because they are not completed, they can not be used to build a firearm, hence they are not receivers or firearms in the eyes of the law. They do, however, often have the remaining holes and required modifications stenciled on them so that someone can do the remaining 20%. They are simply selling rather easily machined parts for profit. The legal issue comes when you finish the 20% and build a SMG. Then you violate the GCA and you get passed around cell block C like a cigar for 5 years. Just like the importers, they're just making a buck.[^]
PS In case I didn't clarify the point, don't try that at home0 -
Parts kits do have a use. Some people who already own the gun in question legally might have use for replacement parts, hence a part kit.
As for 80% recievers I know a machinist who insists that he is going to get one and make himself a sub machine gun and not tell anyone. I told him, if he does, please don't tell me as I don't want to be liable. Nice paperweights though.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
Best tip I could give you is "don't even think about it". Yes, there are a number of semi-finished receivers out there that could be made functional. I don't think you would even have to be an expert machinist. Probably a cheap mill/drill from one of the mailorder tool places would suffice. But man, it just isn't worth it. Save your money and buy a M-10 for $1500. They are on GB all the time. Sure they are ugly, jam, and won't hit a cow at 50 yds, but I love mine. Best of all I don't have to worry about some guy called Bubba following me around all day!
cbxjeffIt's too late for me, save yourself.0 -
The 80% recievers, flats, cut recievers, and parts kit guns are mostly for the use of of 02/SOT's.
A 02 federal firearms lic. as a manufacture of NFA weapons (machine guns),with the special occupation tax (SOT), they can legally build all of the above, as NFA post samples.
The 02/SOT can build them and posess them. BUT--he can only re-sale them to authorized LEO's, military, export & other 02/SOT's under special authorization from the ATF.
So if you want to legally build one of the above, get your 02/SOT lic, and register yourself with the state dept., then your ready to go.
Expect to spend $500 a yr for the 02 lic. the SOT tax I think is $200 yr, registering with the state dept requires I think another $500.
Get your 02/SOT and make your first million bucks, ask anyone who has one.
Walte0
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