Buying a Sistema in Massachusetts

[Mastrogiacomo]

I've always wanted to buy a star model Argentine Sistema. Trouble is, I live in Massachusetts and probably can't order guns online anymore. New law I think... So what now? If I find one in the local gun shop, do I need to have any special papers, and how do I know what to look for in a gun? I've never owned anything other than a Beretta 9mm. Thanks.

 

[Number 6]

Unless they changed the constitution without telling me I do not believe that a state can ban a particular form of purchasing from out of state. Such a law would violate interstate commerce. Does that mean states don't try to do this? Of course they do, but the laws rarely hold up in court.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Unless I'm mistaken, there's a gun site at www.fsguns.com which mentions this in their "Guns You Can't Buy in Massachusetts" section....

 

[Number 6]

From the brief reading I gave that site I think what they say is that the laws in Mass. are similar to those in California albeit stricter. They state that there is a process that pistols must go through to be certified in order for them to be sold in Mass. As such, it appears that certain handguns cannot be purchased in the state or outside of the state because they have not been certified. This does not mean that you cannot buy firearms over the internet however. I am no expert on Mass. law but from the little I read that appears to be the case. The gun you want might be available since I did not see it listed in the banned section. Your best bet would be to call or write to your state’s Attorney Generals office or whoever in your state regulates firearms sales and ask them. On a side note, I wonder if any Mass. police departments use any of those guns on the banned list since the list covers some of the most popular models of handguns.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

They're probably exempt from these laws. Their Glocks look new to me...

 

[tex_n_cal]

Not sure about MA, but in California there is an exemption for Curio and Relic firearms, and many Sistemas do qualify for C&R, so check and see if they qualify that way.

The Sistemas are a neat way to get a WWII era 1911A1, they are virtually identical to Colts of the era, and often have some pretty nice looking slide markings. I have several nice Colt 1911's, but I would like a Sistema as well. Usually reasonable in price.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Thank you. I was just thinking of this myself as I found out they're not on our state list of approved guns. To find them privately involves paperwork and in stores it must have been registered prior to 10/2198. This could be one way around the law. What a pain though....

 

[Old Fuff]

Argentine Sistema’s sometimes come with butchered lockwork (usually hammers and sears) and it’s not unusual to find that the barrel’s pitted. However they are exact copies of a 1930’s period Colt - built under license from Colt using Colt tooling and blueprints. Consequently Colt parts will fit. Just be aware that you may have to spend some money making things right. Even so, they are nice pistols that usually cost much less then a Colt or a domestic Colt copy.

 

[FPrice]

"I've always wanted to buy a star model Argentine Sistema."

I had heard of the firearms but had never seen one until one showed up at my local dealer about 6 months ago. I snapped it up immediately and have never been sorry. Keep checking local stores and asking, maybe you will get lucky.

Number 6 - "Unless they changed the constitution without telling me I do not believe that a state can ban a particular form of purchasing from out of state. Such a law would violate interstate commerce. Does that mean states don't try to do this? Of course they do, but the laws rarely hold up in court."

Oh yeah? Look at the following thread. The Mass AG's office has gone wild trying to harass innocent people. But just ask them why they declined to prosecute the Archdiosese of Boston concerning the cover-up of child molesting priests.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45025

 

[FPrice]

Mastrogiacomo...

You have a PM.