Hypothetical Machine Gun Question

[S.W.G.]

A few days ago I spaced out and started thinking about random gun stuff. I drifted into NFA law, and something occured to me.

I'm sure most people here know about the Glock 18, right? Well, Glock found out that Class III dealers were using demo letters to purchase Glock 18's for their own personal use, so they put the squeeze on who they would sell one to.

So the two other options a Class III has to get a full-auto Glock is to get one of the back plate auto sears, or one of these.

THE FIREARM STARTS OUT AS A NIB VIRGIN GLOCK 17 AND IS CONVERTED INTO FULL AUTO/SELECT FIRE.

The Glock 18 has different sized frame rails to prevent one from installing a 18 slide assembly on a 17, 17L, or 34 frame. This gun, presumably, has standard sized frame rails.

Now, it is my understanding that an 'auto sear' is defined by the NFA as any part or parts that are designed to make a title one semi-auto function in a fully automatic manner.

The altered slide assembly, which is considered a part or accesory, can be removed and installed in many different semi automatic frames, and the firearm will then function in full-auto.

My question is this: Wouldn't the altered slide assembly be the regulated item?

It essentially functions like a Lightning Link (which is considered the machine gun), a easily uninstalled part that makes what is normally a semi-auto function full-auto.

So wouldn't the slide be a machine gun (auto-sear), rather than the frame?

 

[451 Detonics]

I would say that yes...the slide would be the registered part if they are selling the slide by itself. If it is sold as a complete gun the the entire gun would be considered registered as the NFA component.

 

[S.W.G.]

I would say that yes...the slide would be the registered part if they are selling the slide by itself. If it is sold as a complete gun the the entire gun would be considered registered as the NFA component.

The ATF has stated in the past that, for example, if an individual registered the receiver of a semi-auto AR-15, then installed a Lightning Link in it to make it run full-auto, they would be in possesion of an unregistered MG.

It's doesn't matter if you sell a Fleming Sear installed in an HK91, or sell it loose, the sear would still be the MG.

What I'm curious about is why this particular item is sold as a registered frame machine pistol, when the only thing making it function full-auto is a device that the ATF considers a unregulated part/accesory.

 

[Quiet]

Two types of registered MGs.

Registered recievers and registered auto-sears.

Registered auto-sears can be legally installed on different sear hosts.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Some of them are odd. For example I think on some of the belt fed brownings (1919? M2?) one of the receiver's side plates is the registered part that makes it a MG.

 

[S.W.G.]

Two types of registered MGs.

Registered recievers and registered auto-sears.

Registered auto-sears can be legally installed on different sear hosts.

Yes, but the issue here is that the frame is the registered item, but the slide, which isn't registered, acts as an auto-sear, which the ATF has stated in the past to be in itself a machine gun.

So the frame would normally be an unregulated (NFA wise) 'sear host', and the slide would be the machine gun.

Thats my theory, at least.

 

[S.W.G.]

It has also occured to me that some full-auto Ruger 10/22's have an unmodified reciever and trigger housing, the only modification being a drop-in open bolt assembly.

So wouldn't the bolt be an auto-sear?

This stuff is really confusing...

 

[PTK]

There are DIASs, registered receivers, and registered bolts. Of course, then there are things like the lightning link which is a auto-sear....

 

[S.W.G.]

There are DIASs, registered receivers, and registered bolts. Of course, then there are things like the lightning link which is a auto-sear....

I use the term 'auto sear' to refer to any part or parts that make a semi full-auto.

I know it's not technically correct because many of the parts don't actually function as sears, but I think it's a less bulky way to refer to a machine gun that isn't a registered reciever.