Alternative AR-15 caliber choices

[bogie]

Okay... I've seen the .458 Socom and the .50 Beowulf... Are there any non-wildcat uppers available in the larger caliber range? Seems to me that the Beowulf and the Socom will both be VERY expensive to shoot... The Socom seems a little more interesting, given the easy availability of .458 .45-70-type bullets...

Anything out there that has easy brass availability, etc? A .50 AE upper would be interesting...

 

[762x51]

Like these?

http://www.tromix.com/Tromix_50AE.htm

Or these?

http://www.dalphon.com/conv.html

 

[cslinger]

I don't get it. How can these companies get away with modifying magazines to fit the coversions. The modified magazines will not work in the original guns the magazine was designed for.

I thought you would need a mag well adapter and either an unmodified sten/uzi/sterling/whatever or one that has one been modified enough that it still functions in the original gun.

Just a thought.

Chris

 

[CWL]

Here's one in .50BMG. He used to post on TFL, don't know if he's here on THR.

http://ferret50.com/

 

[wendy]

Bogie is asking because I bought a lower yesterday and am hellbent on building my own AR.
(Can I say hellbent on the board? )

When I told him how much my .50 Beowulf was going to cost
he started mentioning "other options"

 

[444]

All the alternative AR15 uppers that I have seen use a standard GI magazine. I have modified a couple mags for use in my .458 SOCOM, but they still function fine in .223. The only reason I modified them was because they were scratching my brass, not because they wouldn't work.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

cslinger,

You are correct. They admit they are converting pre-ban magazines for use in different guns and they appear to no longer function in the original firearm. Maybe no one has told them its illegal.

 

[treeprof]

Will the big bore mags accept more than 10 rds after modification? If not, then it's not a "large capacity ammunition feeding device", and I think they are ok.

There's an archive of ATF rulings here:

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/law.html

 

[cslinger]

I wasn't talking about the big bore mags as most of them simply use standard AR magazines and the capacity is generally 10 or less.

I am talking about the converted uzi/sten/grease gun mags in 9mm,.45 etc. These are mags converted by welding a spacer at the top and tend to hold 20,30,32 or more rounds. Seems to me that is producing a new large capacity feeding device since they will obviously no longer work in the original gun.

Not that I think this should be a big deal, nor do I think the BATF really gives a rats backside but the fact is by the rules it is illegal and should the ATF decide to get uppity they or you could be held liable for this NEWLY PRODUCED large capacity blah blah blah.

Hey I am not saying I am right but that is how I understood the law. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Chris

As for the original thread I would love a 9mm upper but that .50 Beowulf just scratches my itch so to speak. I would love one of those.

 

[444]

Can you tell me specifically where you are seeing these "illegal" magazines ? I would like to look into it.


I have a complete 9mm AR, and a .458 SOCOM AR. The 9mm uses standard Colt submachine gun magazines. Modified Sten mags can also be used in my Colt, but they can still be used in a Sten, and yes I also have the Sten to use them in.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

444,

We manufacture conversion magazines which we believe to be without equal. We start with a high quality machine gun mag made of steel. Our mags are fully compatible with all AR type rifles and pistols, past and present. Our mags are a one-piece design, so there are no blocks to drop or lose. They are held and released with the standard magazine release button, so there is no fumbling while you learn a new routine. Our mags are fully compatible with all AR-type rifles and pistols (except Colt 9mm rifles, but we have those too -- just ask). We modify only pre-ban mags so they are legal for everyone to own and use.

http://www.dalphon.com/about.html
http://www.dalphon.com/mags.html

I sent them an email yesterday asking them how they get around the requirement of having the magazine still function in the original gun. They sent a quick, "Function in the original gun?" reply back. I sent them the info from ATF on that requirement and haven't heard anything yet.

 

[444]

I am not sure of the answer to your question, and since you e-mailed them, I won't bother. One thing I will say is that the two companies named specifically in this thread are very well known and highly respected in the AR15 community. They are both active members of AR15.com. I am sure that you didn't just discover something that no one else in the world realized.
You might want to read some of the information here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/forum.html?b=3&f=15
I am sure if you spend some time there, your questions will be answered.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Yea, I agree. Most likely, there is a quick and easy way to return the magazines to functioning in the original gun and the sales person that answered the email wasn't aware of it. I doubt they are doing anything illegal. I hadda ask, though.

 

[bogie]

When I told him how much my .50 Beowulf was going to cost

It ain't the cost of the upper that freaks me out - It's how much it's gonna cost for a thousand rounds to run through it...

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Got a reply....

Dalphon says their converted magazines do in fact still work in the original firearm. That makes them legal. Hopefully, in 14 months, we won't be concerned with these Mickey Mouse regulations.