Firearms act and full auto 80% build?

thequintessentialman · Nov 3, 2019

Feel like this has probably been beat to death here so if you can point me to a good thread I'll go read that.

My understanding is the 1986 law made it illegal to have a full auto manufactured after that date/year but I see parts for sale constantly on different firearms sites. What is the legal caveat or loop hole that allows this? How does 80% build affect this?

DoubleDuty · Nov 3, 2019

It's the auto sear that is regulated you would have to find a legal one for sale.

satx78247 · Nov 4, 2019

thequintessentialman said:
Feel like this has probably been beat to death here so if you can point me to a good thread I'll go read that.

My understanding is the 1986 law made it illegal to have a full auto manufactured after that date/year but I see parts for sale constantly on different firearms sites. What is the legal caveat or loop hole that allows this? How does 80% build affect this?

thequintessentialman,

Personally, IF you are interested in building your own F-A AR, you should get EXPERT LEGAL ADVICE before starting, rather than asking any of us on the forum.

Personally, I believe that building your own M16 (& solely for your own use) SHOULD be lawful but I'm NOT an attorney & will offer you NO advice, lest I tell you the wrong information.

IMO, the NFA, as amended, should be REPEALED, but believe that it will NOT be.
(I would love to self-import a Model of 1897 Colt's "Tater Digger" and/or a C&R Maxim Model of 1898 or 1907 water-cooled MG from OCONUS, as I've possessed a C&R license for about 15 years. = Firearms & equipment of the late 19th Century & particularly of the Boxer Rebellion & the Spanish-American war are "my thing"/particular interest.)

I know where a pair of Model 1907 water-cooled HMG, with all the horse-drawn "goodies", are for sale in a Latin American nation for 800.oo USD each & in GREAT shape. = The MG with the cart, 2 sets of harness, ammo cart & other accessories weigh over 900# & are NOT "suitable to rob a liquor store".

yours, satx

thequintessentialman · Nov 4, 2019

Not sure I even want to go down that road, at least not yet but I am curious. (Buying ammo for the semiautos and bolt actions I already have is expensive enough). Most laws being written by politicians and lobbyist typically are flawed and leave gaping legal loop holes. (We don't exactly send our brightest into politics.) Without a SCOTUS full of actual jurist (as opposed to the bench activist we have now) 2A will always be in danger.

So, at the moment, I'm just curious how people are doing this or if my observation is incorrect.

Thanks

Younggun · Nov 4, 2019

You see things like “full auto bolt carrier” but they aren’t actually full auto. They work fine in a semi auto and don’t make the gun got bangbangbang.

Full auto sears are regulated. A full auto LPK will get you in some shit even if it’s not in the rifle. They would hang you with constructive intent or whatever it is.

Even in an 80% lower, they would get you for the fact it’s manufactured after 1986. Big trouble.

That said, it’s the legal F/A lowers and sears that you will pay thousands for so that you need to buy. After that all the other FA parts you see listed actually make a difference. A semi auto bolt won’t work in a FA rifle, but an SA rifle will function normally with an FA bolt carrier.

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thequintessentialman · Nov 4, 2019

Younggun said:
You see things like “full auto bolt carrier” but they aren’t actually full auto. They work fine in a semi auto and don’t make the gun got bangbangbang.

Full auto sears are regulated. A full auto LPK will get you in some shit even if it’s not in the rifle. They would hang you with constructive intent or whatever it is.

Even in an 80% lower, they would get you for the fact it’s manufactured after 1986. Big trouble.

That said, it’s the legal F/A lowers and sears that you will pay thousands for so that you need to buy. After that all the other FA parts you see listed actually make a difference. A semi auto bolt won’t work in a FA rifle, but an SA rifle will function normally with an FA bolt carrier.

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That helps. I already knew about the ATF and their prosecution of thought crimes (had the part, must have been thinkin' bout doin' it) which was part of the enigma.

Thanks to all.

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grumper · Nov 4, 2019

If you don't have a 07 FFL and class 2 SOT don't even think about it.

Those parts can be used by licensed manufacturers to build new guns for govt use or for owners of registered pre-1986 MGs for repairs.

If you are neither there's no legal reason for you to possess those parts and an overzealous DA might decide your life needs to be turned inside out.

Mohawk600 · Nov 14, 2019

Younggun said:
You see things like “full auto bolt carrier” but they aren’t actually full auto. They work fine in a semi auto and don’t make the gun got bangbangbang.

Full auto sears are regulated. A full auto LPK will get you in some shit even if it’s not in the rifle. They would hang you with constructive intent or whatever it is.

Even in an 80% lower, they would get you for the fact it’s manufactured after 1986. Big trouble.

That said, it’s the legal F/A lowers and sears that you will pay thousands for so that you need to buy. After that all the other FA parts you see listed actually make a difference. A semi auto bolt won’t work in a FA rifle, but an SA rifle will function normally with an FA bolt carrier.

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There is a difference between a full auto bolt carrier and one that is not compatible with an auto sear.

ZX9RCAM · Nov 14, 2019

And?

It changes nothing...

Mohawk600 · Nov 14, 2019

ZX9RCAM said:
And?

It changes nothing...

And....just what I said......there is a difference in bolt carriers.

Renegade · Nov 14, 2019

thequintessentialman said:
Feel like this has probably been beat to death here so if you can point me to a good thread I'll go read that.

My understanding is the 1986 law made it illegal to have a full auto manufactured after that date/year but I see parts for sale constantly on different firearms sites. What is the legal caveat or loop hole that allows this? How does 80% build affect this?

There is no scenario where a non-FFL can make Full Auto Weapons. If there was, everyone would be doing it.

The parts you see for sale are probably not regulated.

Mohawk600 · Nov 14, 2019

Mohawk600 said:
And....just what I said......there is a difference in bolt carriers.

Renegade said:
There is no scenario where a non-FFL can make Full Auto Weapons. If there was, everyone would be doing it.

The parts you see for sale are probably not regulated.

It can be done but is not a wise move.

Renegade · Nov 14, 2019

Mohawk600 said:
It can be done but is not a wise move.

Not legally.

Firearms act and full auto 80% build?

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