Jump to content

Is M1A with Auto-Sear Conversion an NFA Weapon?


LaneC

Recommended Posts

Talking to a friend about him having his M1A converted to an auto-sear ready rifle by a C3 dealer. After he gets this done, and without the registered auto-sear, is this an NFA weapon from that point forward? Or can it be sold like any other semi-auto M1A rifle? I told him it would be an NFA weapon, so, may have to eat crow here. Ha. Thanks.

 

Did a search here, but didn't find that question addressed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In general, any modifications to fit a legitimate, registered drop in sear would not make the underlying weapon subject to the NFA.  However, this very much depends on the details of the conversion.  Can you share them?  I've never heard of an autosear for an M1A (doesn't mean they don't exist).  If done improperly, the base rifle could be ruled a post-sample MG.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maximized, I don't have any details, as it's not my rifle and not my interest to do this. His C3 gunsmith told him he could convert his rifle to full auto. I told him that's been illegal since 1986. Only MG's registered prior to that date were legal to own. Conversions from semi-to-auto might be legal for PD's or Gov't outfits, but they fall under some other set of laws. He then told me it's a "registered drop-in sear" conversion for his M1A. Anyway, I told him that couldn't be sold a a regular Semi-Auto M1A any more. But, guess I'm wrong on that one. And like you not sure I am aware of an auto-sear conversion for that rifle. Thanks for your input.  Now, how do I like my crow served? haha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know what I was told, but not sure my friend does! haha. He definitely said M1A. Maybe his gunsmith told him wrong. Who knows? The whole conversation was strange to me, that's why I questioned it.  I suggested for him to buy a transferable M16 and have fun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  STAY AWAY!!  no paper DONT PLAY! unless you plan to give up firearms and want to start  eating rice pudding with bubba your cell mate on sat  val cooper at E+L has several  M1A trigger groups  (m14)  with a registered auto sear installed and several  extra loose registered sear's. not sure but some may be post samples, i didn't ask       they don't require any receiver mods so don't effect the weapon unless installed.  HOWEVER, considered a machine gun by itself (per atf tech exam) same as the carbine parts. its been years since ive seen them but i believe they used the firing pin tail as the trip mech and an altered safety as the selector.  i know another individual that has a standard m-14 selector on a tab like the factory ear on the rec with a standard trip lever attached. the tab is numbered and registered. it slides in the factory selector hole in the stock . did it back in early 80's and i have installed several barrels for him so i know it works. it was on a devine texas gun first.  changed to poly tech when they arrived , as they had forged receivers and were full auto and converted to semi for importation (another story and fact!)    enough is enough   don't know why anyone would want to put holes in the sky anyway? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think this has gotten off to the idea that someone is going to illegally create a machine gun. This is not the case at all. The person that is suggesting the conversion to the M1A owner is a licensed C3 guy who runs a legitimate business. Based on what I was told, the end result was unclear to me, but, there's lots of things about the NFA world I am ignorant of, to be sure. My main question was, what would category would the rifle be in AFTER any such modification for a so-called registered auto-sear. I feel sure that we all know such items (auto-sears) are NFA controlled and one better have all the paperwork to possess one. But, could the rifle (by itself) still be sold as any other semi-auto rifle or would it require some NFA papers to be sold? Or, would it require papers to even modify before hand such as SBR conversion? Personally, I refuse to enter into the NFA world because of all the sticky wickets such as this, as a "little" knowledge is dangerous. Besides, my pockets aren't that deep! ha

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, LaneC said:

But, could the rifle (by itself) still be sold as any other semi-auto rifle or would it require some NFA papers to be sold? Or, would it require papers to even modify before hand such as SBR conversion?

Generally speaking, yes, it could still be sold as a Title 1 gun once the drop in sear is removed.  That's the whole appeal of registered drop in sears, trigger packs, ect., it's not married to one specific gun and once your registered part is removed the host gun is no longer considered an MG.  This can also be an issue if your host guns have short barrels, in this case many guys will, wisely, register their host guns as SBRs so there's no issues when the MG pack/sear is removed.  That being said, what you have here could go either way, without having details on what "modifications" his C3 dealer had in mind it's hard to say.  Not to oversimplify but look at it like this, either the modifications would be so minor they're a non issue or by doing the modifications they have created a post sample MG, there's really no middle ground.

 

  

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the problem with the thread is  the term " modification" with no explanation. of course you can do mod's with out changing the status. you can also do mod's and get in trouble.

 in the past atf tech has informed me any receiver mods to accept  sears / trips/ discon etc. puts the weapon under the NFA. drop in means drop in NO ALTERATIONS to the rec. everywhere else to be determined on an individual exam.. just b4 the deadline in 86  i did form ones on 25 FAL auto sears. tech denied the registration after the fact. 

reason ," the receiver must be altered to accept the auto sear".  i appealed and provided pic's of the early G series and later steyr guns , along with a copy of the "exempt serial # list

i provided pic's clearly showing the drop in application.  all paperwork was returned along with the form one's stamped in red "denied". shortly following i was visited by appointment  and had to demonstrate the alterations, show sears etc for the other 60+ form ones which were approved

 after all the smoke cleared  i first heard the term "married sear's"  what a blessing that was as it kept a lot of transferable's that could have been made samples , due to the receiver's being modified to accept the registered parts.

      cheers mike

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...