Skans

I went through the same analysis as the OP when choosing a machine gun. I opted for an AC556 13" folder. I already had an FNC semi-auto and could have purchased a sear and sent it out to be converted. Here was my thinking behind my choice: AC556 had parts available and I did in fact purchase some spare parts for it, not that it has ever needed any. It is a very well made little full-auto. Quality receiver and parts. Barrels can be replaced, albeit not as easy as an M16. When Clyde Armory made a sage CQB stock for it, I opted to drop it into that stock which performs much better than the original stock, especially if you want to add optics. I didn't want to molest my semi-auto FNC. I looked at how the conversions were done - while I have never heard of a problem with such a conversion, I believe there had to be some welding that had to be done to the bolt carrier. Heck if I know what I'd do if that part failed? I also looked at the UZI which cost about as much as an AC556 at the time. But, that was a sub-gun which didn't fire the more powerful 5.56 cartridge. I really didn't want a sub-gun. The AC556 has the tri-burst feature which I thought was neat at the time. Years later, was I happy with my choice? Yes, I am. There is really nothing the AC556 can't do that the FNC does. With the addition of the SCAR stock, it's a really neat, versatile 5.56 full auto. If there is any downside, it would be the magazines. There are way more magazine options for the FNC as they take the same magazine as the AR. But, there really are a lot of magazine options for the AC556 too. I have factory 30 round magazines, a few 40 round magazines and even a betamag which I got to run in it, but the gun is not designed to do 100 round mag dumps!! I probably would have been happy with the FNC as well. It cost a couple thousand more than the AC556 at the time. I just never worry about shooting the AC556, and I think I would have been concerned about shooting the FNC. Truth be told, the UZI would have been fun too, but I do like my AC556 a little more than the UZI.

I tried to find something verifying this statement, but couldn't find anything. Can you please provide reference to the court case?

Huggytree, I'll snap some photos and post - I used to have some, but they got erased. Also, by replacing the stock, I was able to store my wood/folding stock to keep it in nice original condition.

Yes, with the factory folding stock, the AC556 is not all that comfortable to shoot. This is one of the reasons I purchased a Sage stock for my AC556. The stock is rock solid and the barreled action fits tightly inside. It adds weight toward the muzzle of the gun. The folding Ace stock I put on mine has a little padding and certainly doesn't heart as much as the factory steel folder. It's very easy to control and keep on target for short bursts.

I have a Ruger AC556 folder with 13" barrel and I am pleased with this choice. 5.56 is cheap enough to shoot and if I really want, I can purchase a .22lr conversion kit for about $300, maybe less. However, I bought mine about 13 years ago. They sell for a lot more, as does everything else, these days. It's still less than half the price of anything M16. It is not and never will be an M16, but it's not that far from it either. I've always thought the AC556 is the better deal and still do.

My guess is (and this is only a guess) that since a CLEO sign-off is no longer required, and people don't have to use the fiction of a trust, llc, etc. anymore, the purchasing market for transferables just got a lot bigger. People are hanging on to what they have.

You can get a buffer from the link posted above. IIRC, they run about $18 or so. I need one too