Turkeytider
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30K ? For one rifle? I like the M-14 but that`s a steep price to pay for sentimentality! Gee whiz!!Maybe those are the ones going for 30K these days for a FA original...
Bula Arms M-14. Any good?
- Thread starter tark
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d2wing
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He said Full auto original. The one I was issued was converted to semi-auto. I think FA are rare and even rarer outside the military as I don't think true military versions were sold to the public.
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tark
Member
The DCM originally wanted to "De-fang" the full auto capability on the military M-14s and sell them to the public through the DCM program.
The ATF said no. Once a machine gun...always a machinegun. At least, that's the version I heard.
Springfield, Winchester, H&R and TRW were the only builders of the original M14s with a selector switch. The Feds don't don't take it to kindly to decommissioned FAs. This is why we don't see original M14 or M16 FA receivers up for grabs unless you want to jump through the hoops. Once a Machine always a machine in the feds eyes. They could have easily ground off the lugs on those M14s but nope...
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tark
Member
You can "De-fang" a full auto M-14 in ten minutes with a belt sander. Grind off the leg on the receiver that the selector switch mounts to and grind off the tail on the disconnector. Throw away the connector assembly. Quick and easy.
And its almost as quick and easy to convert it back. In the 60s and 70s and later one could buy connector assemblies, selector switch assemblies and F/A disconnectors at gun shows and surplus stores. A good welder could could fabricate and weld a mount for the selector assembly without harming the heat treatment on the rest of the receiver. Now you're back to a machine gun.
The ATF probably did the right thing by saying no.
And its almost as quick and easy to convert it back. In the 60s and 70s and later one could buy connector assemblies, selector switch assemblies and F/A disconnectors at gun shows and surplus stores. A good welder could could fabricate and weld a mount for the selector assembly without harming the heat treatment on the rest of the receiver. Now you're back to a machine gun.
The ATF probably did the right thing by saying no.
Nature Boy
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By that logic, Tark, the ATF probably ought do the right thing, even if late, by declaring ALL GI and most civilian .30 carbines as FA............and just saying no!
@Nature Boy
That was always my impression, never seen the action out of the stock. So I just go with it and figure he likes to mess with people.
That was always my impression, never seen the action out of the stock. So I just go with it and figure he likes to mess with people.
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tark
Member
Well, you got me there, because my knowledge of M-1 carbines is very limited. I do know the army made a kit for converting an M-1 to an M-2. I don't know if this was a "drop in " procedure or if it required some drilling or modifications. But you have a good point.
General Geoff
Member
Anyone with apprentice level machinist skills can turn almost any semiauto action into a machine gun. Disconnectors and sears are pretty simple mechanisms to understand and modify.
Bear in mind this same ATF that maintains the stance of "once a machine gun, always a machine gun" has also gone on record stating a shoestring is a machine gun.
Speedo66
Member
From what I understand, the kits could be installed by unit armorers.
The ATF classified anything marked M-2 as machine guns even if the offending parts were removed, but M-1 Carbines that had had the M-2 kit removed were fine.
A ten year old could do a carbine full auto conversion....all it takes is parts assembly. M1 and M2 receivers are utterly identical, the difference being that if one is marked "2" you have a problem with the concept of once is forever.
There simply is no point or logic to the NFA and ATF actions thereto have been without variation to continue the cause of ban and anti. The whole damnable law should have been thrown out with the original Miller case....but here we are!
There simply is no point or logic to the NFA and ATF actions thereto have been without variation to continue the cause of ban and anti. The whole damnable law should have been thrown out with the original Miller case....but here we are!
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tark
Member
Yep. They sure did. Saw it on you tube!
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