Cheapest (class III) machine guns presently?

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Tallpaul said-

The ruger is a joke... they don't like civilians having them and the support is poor. The design sup[posidly doesn't hold up great with the FA...
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:scrutiny: I don't know where you got that information. The factory support for the AC556 is GREAT. It is the only civilian transferable MG you can buy that can be sent back to the factory for a complete rebuild. There is absolutely NO factory support for any other MG's out there. It is specialists only if your very pricey transferable needs a tune up. It is around $300 to have the gun completely redone by Ruger. A bargain for sure. They even have a stash of pre 86 recievers that they use to rebuild the occasional destroyed firearm.

As far as the AC556 not holding up under full auto, they just run, and run, and run. Just like a Mini. The AC is a very underappreciated rifle caliber MG. It and the FNC are the bargains if you want to get into a full auto that is chambered in a rifle caliber.
 
The 550 didn't start production until 1986, the same year new civi autos couldn't be built anymore. So, if it sound too good to be true... Even $.35 of metal to make a lighting link on a form 4 costs over $7000 today.
 
probably a silly question but is there reference guide or "list" for lack of better term for pre 86 weapons kind of like the C&R liscence gets?

it seams that every time i get interested in owning a full auto it turns out to be a post 86 and my hopes are dashed
 
Exposure
I don't know where you got that information. The factory support for the AC556 is GREAT. It is the only civilian transferable MG you can buy that can be sent back to the factory for a complete rebuild. There is absolutely NO factory support for any other MG's out there. It is specialists only if your very pricey transferable needs a tune up. It is around $300 to have the gun completely redone by Ruger. A bargain for sure. They even have a stash of pre 86 recievers that they use to rebuild the occasional destroyed firearm.

As far as the AC556 not holding up under full auto, they just run, and run, and run. Just like a Mini. The AC is a very underappreciated rifle caliber MG. It and the FNC are the bargains if you want to get into a full auto that is chambered in a rifle caliber.
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Sorry about that just heard a few guys that had em talkin on subguns years back when I was more actively looking... maybe it depended on where ya sent it ti be fixed.

the atf has quit allowing full replacement of silencers and I believe receivers.. if its dead its dead and ya would need to do another stamp.... so destroying one SN piece and restampin a new one so recievers are nice but more complicated than in the past.
 
is there reference guide or "list"
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Not that I've ever heard of.

There's an even easier way to find out what's available. Just go to a few of the sites that lists classified ads for Title II firearms. As there aren't any more being let into the registry, and haven't been since 1986, if you want something, you'll have to find an existing one for sale from someone who HAS one. If there aren't any for sale from dealers or private owners, there just aren't any. It's not like you can order one from the factory.

Even easier, though: You can always take a few seconds to look at a site like this one: http://world.guns.ru/main-e.htm, look up the gun you like, and check on when it was first made/fielded. If it didn't enter production until after 1986, you're pretty much SOL. Even if it DID enter production sometime in the mid 1980s, if more than a handful weren't imported before the ban, chances are their even greater scarcity will make the price astronomical!

-Sam
 
One thing I've always been curious about: The FN FNC always seems to be a "value" priced Title II MG, but I don't know why.

Why is it that they seem to be nearly the same price as a Ruger AC566? Always around $7k - $9K, and seemingly (to me, anyway) much more desirable than an M-16 which will go for twice that.

Why aren't they more desired?
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Here's my opinion as someone who used to own a transferrable FNC and now owns an M16:

FNC Pros / M16 Cons:
1. FNC is cheaper by $2-3k
2. FNC is more unusual than an AR-pattern rifle

FNC Cons / M16 Pros:
1. FNC spare parts are close to non-existant. Last I checked, DSA sold spare firing pins and a B&T rail system, but that was about it. Break something else or wear out a barrel and your only recourse is to find a semi-auto FNC for spare parts. But by the time you do that you've spent the difference between an FNC machine gun and an M16. M16 spare parts are everywhere.
2. With an FNC you're stuck with 5.56mm. No available caliber conversions. But with an M16 you can shoot everything from .22LR to almost any pistol caliber to intermediate rifle calibers in both magazine- and belt-fed by just changing the upper.

Unless you're filling out your collection and the FNC is your 25th transferable machine gun or something, going with the M16 is a no-brainer.
 
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CNN,

I see your points and some of them make quite a lot of sense. I didn't realize that spare parts were so totally non-existent! That's a deal killer, pretty much.

I will disagree on the cost: "FNC is cheaper by $2-3k?" I've seen them regularly for less than $9,000, while transferable M16s seem to go for $15,000-$18,000. That's quite a difference.

But, otherwise I do agree with your points. Thanks!

-Sam
 
There's M16's and then there's "M16's". If you're a serious collector and want a NIB Colt M16A2, then yeah that'll run you $18k or so. If you just want to put lead downrange really fast, a converted AR15 registered receiver can be bought for under $10k. Functionally they're the same, but one's more rare and has a pony on the side so it commands a premium.

Take a look here for some current prices.
 
Last I checked they were going for $8k or so. For that much I'd spend a thousand or two more and buy an M16 which can also shoot other calibers in addition to .22LR. The M16 really is the best value in a transferrable machine gun.
 
Exposure -I don't know where you got that information. The factory support for the AC556 is GREAT. It is the only civilian transferable MG you can buy that can be sent back to the factory for a complete rebuild. There is absolutely NO factory support for any other MG's out there. It is specialists only if your very pricey transferable needs a tune up. It is around $300 to have the gun completely redone by Ruger. A bargain for sure.
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Thanks for coming to the defense of my Ruger. If it is a joke I'm sure that no one would not like to get a "punch line" from the muzzle of my AC-5.56

My Ruger is S/S with the factory folding stock. I can't comment on factory service because the gun has been so totally reliable for the 18 years that I've owned it that I never had the need for service. If the time ever comes that I need service I'll post the results.

At the time of purchase I also bought 2 cases (15,280 bullets) of W-W, 55 gr., FMJ bullets @ 2.9 cents each - delivered and 25,000 W-W small rifle primers @ 11 dollars/1000 (Ahhh...the good old days!) Throw in a 10% reduced load of Accurate Arms 2200 Data Powder (24 pounds @ $6/pound + hazmat and shipping) and you have an fun way to spend an afternoon at the range without having to hock your house!
 
Dimis said:
probably a silly question but is there reference guide or "list" for lack of better term for pre 86 weapons kind of like the C&R liscence gets?

it seams that every time i get interested in owning a full auto it turns out to be a post 86 and my hopes are dashed
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No. The MG must have been registered to a civilian on or before May 19, 1986. You cannot pick up a machine gun made before 1986 and register it. The registry is closed. There is no amnesty. There is no available list of individual serial numbers or quantity by type. It is estimated that there are between 125,000 and 135,000 registered transferables. There are 300,000+ registered MGs. Less than half can be transferred to a civilian.
 
what do legal trigger packs for 10/22 run these days...one of them would be sweet with "the brick" by rhino arms
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They go up every year, I think the last ones I saw were going for about $9k to $10k. Heard John Norrell cranked out a bunch of them before the '86 ban and sells 10 or so every year (and they go fast).
 
Reising model 50's are in the $3500-$5000 range. Mine has been a 100% workhorse....great fun....
 
I picked up one of these in 2005 for $4200.00. Runs like a swiss watch with brass cased ammo. Steel cased Wolf is another story! 9 MM is the way to go. Cheap and fun to shoot. Easy, simple to fix, if it breaks, parts are plentiful or can be made.......

Dsc_1909_01.jpg

100_4288.jpg

100_3113.jpg

Google MK-760 Pro-Point sight for You Tube video of it in action.....
 
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And it is riduculous(sp) that prices are so high!!I know that the guys that own class 3's are gonna scream but my opinion is the law should be repealed and the market opened up.When you can buy an M16 in Somalia for $200 why should they cost $20,000 here,+$200 for a tax stamp?That is just pure BS!!I know the argument that you guys are gonna lose money on what you paid for yours,but there is a little thing called the SECOND AMENDMENT,and we shouldn't have to pay a TAX,like the old pole tax to vote,just to own a class 3.I think with the PROPER legal argument it could be defeated.I will quit now,my blood pressure is up enough for now.
 
Langoley, first of all, welcome to THR. Second, calm down a bit. You're among friends here, and everyone feels just like you do.

Third, watch out arguing against those owners of "Title II regulated" firearms (not "Class 3" firearms) that you think want to protect their investments. Around here those are just about fighting words as many of our machine gunning members fight just as hard -- or harder -- than you to get the Hughes amendment repealed. And they don't particularly care for being accused of "protecting their investment" to the detriment of the 2nd Amendment and their fellow gun owners.

Take care,
 
I think with the PROPER legal argument it could be defeated
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The NFA act of 1934 brought forth the $200 tax , the GCA of 68 brought the restriction on importation , nothing has changed yet in 76 years regarding the tax and nothing has changed in 42 years on the importation , so don't count on it being defeated anytime soon. Not like people haven't tried to challenge or defeat it.
 
I know that the guys that own class 3's are gonna scream but my opinion is the law should be repealed and the market opened up.
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I am willing to bet that almost every class 3 owner would welcome the opening of the registry. Most did not get into this for the monetary value.
 
I'm sure there are a couple would would be upset, but the vast majority of the class III owners I know would be elated. Not everyone puts $$$ ahead of doing the right thing.

Mike
 
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