Aggravating AWB technicality...

[Dionysusigma]

Alright, I want to put a bipod on my SAR-1. The only available kinds I have found ore ones that clamp onto the barrel, either forward of, or underneath the gas tube. Now, with all due respect to those I've already discussed this matter with, I'd like to get a 2nd (3rd? 4th?) opinion on this matter.

Argument against my doing this is as follows: By attaching the bipod directly to the barrel, it classifies as a "bayonet mount" and will make the firearm illegal, since it already has a "a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon" and "has an ability to accept a detachable magazine," thus putting it over the legal limit of features controlled by the Ban.

Argument for this modification: The Assault Weapons Ban states (Title 18, Chapter 44, Section 921):
"(B) a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of -
(i) a folding or telescoping stock;
(ii)a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(iii)a bayonet mount;
(iv) a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and
(v) a grenade launcher"
As can be plainly seen, bipods are not mentioned. There is no possible way the bipod can have a bayonet mounted on it or with it (unless you use Duct Tape) and it doesn't come close to any of the other categories. Thus, mounting one is as legal as putting a scope on the rifle.

This is a subject that is rather p***ing me off at the moment... could y'all shed some light on this matter?

Thanks in advance for the help...

 

[Skofnung]

I have seen post ban Mak 90's (or Mak 91?) with barrel mounted bipods.

I can't imagine it being a problem because it was not mentioned in the law. If you can't stick a bayo on it, it can't be a bayo lug now, can it?

PS
I'm not a lawyer but I play one on the Internet.

 

[Mark Tyson]

I don't see any reason to worry. A bipod is just not a bayonet mount. Bipods are not mentioned in the law. However, I can just see some blissninny drafting a "sniper weapon" ban outlawing bipods, free floated barrels and the like ...

Why are you putting one on your SAR anyway? I could understand putting a bipod on a heavier gun like a RPK or something similar, but I think it's more trouble than it's worth on a plain jane AK clone.

As if putting a bayonet lug on a gun makes someone a criminal Ridiculous. Hopefully one day we will not have to worry about such asinine regulations.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

The assault weapon ban does not prevent you from putting a bipod on a SAR-1. The only thing that possibly may prevent it is if ATF has decided that the addition of a bipod creates a firearm that is not legal for importation and I haven't seen anything from them making that claim.

 

[Futo Inu]

Screw the HDR ban - it's unconst. Do what you want. Who's gonna know?

 

[aquapong]

Having a bipod on any firearm is perfectly legal. I'm not sure who gave you the idea that the bipod would be construed as a bayo mount.

 

[Onslaught]

If I'm not completely mistaken, I believe this information may be "half correct"...

I don't have the facts (although I"m looking for them) but I came across this ridiculous info by accident while looking into purchasing an HK or an FAL... It was on the website of a company who sold the kits.

I don't remember exactly, but the sight stated that it IS illegal to put a barrel mounted bipod on a post- 89(?) H&K 91 rifle! But the law has NOTHING to do with the '94 AWB. It's from the '89 Import ban, and it said something along the lines of you cannot attach a BARREL MOUNTED BIPOD to certain rifles on the list.



I'll look for the link again... There was WAY more info about it at one particular website than I cared to read.

 

[Onslaught]

Here's one link...

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_1989_report.txt

But it's not THE one I read. This one is from the ATF, from 1989, and it shows that weapons that were DESIGNED TO HAVE A BIPOD MOUNTED AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE WEAPON are used as part of the determining criteria for banning imported weapons.

Seems that a barrel mounted bipod is "bad" and "not sporting", but if the bipod is a detachable model mounted to the sling swivel is it "sporting" and perfectly okie dokey

 

[MAKOwner]

Even that doesn't affect the SAR (or other "US made" imports), with the US parts it is no longer under any of the import restrictions, only the AWB...

I'm not aware of any one getting busted for flagrant violations of the AWB yet, you'd certainly be safe with a bipod anyway you cut it...

 

[M2HMGHB]

What about the SKS? I have one on the bayonet lug, but sense I am in NJ there is no possibility of getting a standard capacity magazine, but I also have a dragunov stock on it.

 

[4v50 Gary]

With reservations to Futo Inu's advice, you don't want to be the test bed for violating the miserable AWB. Just get the stuph and when it's history, attach & have fun!

 

[762x51]

How about you just mount it to the handguard by adding a sling stud. End of drama. Case solved. Added bonus of no change of bullet impact with different pressure on the barrel. Literally 20 minutes of work and $3.00 in parts.

 

[six 4 sure]

I agree with 762x51. If you really want to be safe send a letter (or email) to the BATFE and try to get something in writing that it's ok.

six

 

[Dionysusigma]

Hmm... http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40523

 

[Hkmp5sd]

What about the SKS?

From: Dept. Of Treasury
BATF
Wash. DC
To: [name deleted]
NRA
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA.

Dear Sir:

In answer to your specific questions, the following modifications
of an SKS type rifle WOULD _NOT_ BE A VIOLATION of Section 922 (r):
.
.
.
With respect to attaching a bipod to a standard configuration SKS
rifle; standard configuration SKS rifles are not approved for
importation with bipods. Therefore, the attachment of a bipod
would be a violation of Section 922(r)

http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IIH2.html

 

[Onslaught]

7.62x51 - Forget the bipod... I wanna see the RIFLE!

What little I can see of it shore is purty!

 

[762x51]

Thanks Onslaught.....more can be found here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37689

and here

http://www.gunsnet.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134407