If you had to choose an SMG? NFA content inside

[docnyt]

Local seller is contemplating selling one or maybe all of his NFA goodies. He's hinted at an Uzi, S&W 76 and MAC 10, maybe others.

I'm quite curious obviously but all I know about these is what I've read on the Internet. If any of you ladies or gentlemen have had experience owning and firing these firearms, which would you choose?

Thanks.

 

[Sam1911]

All are pretty cool for various reasons.

Personally I'd be most tempted by the MAC (yeah...strange, right?) but only because of Mr. Lage & Co.: http://www.max-11.com/

For a relatively small investment in the base gun, and a few little upgrades, you could have a much better sub-gun than either the Uzi or the 76, as cool as they are.

 

[SDC]

If you enjoy accuracy, out of the 3 you listed, my choice would be the S&W M76; it has a nice comfortable rate of fire, and a decent sight radius. Second would be the Uzi, and third would be the MAC. For parts and magazine availability, you can probably reverse that entirely, so the real question is how much money you're willing to pour into this toy

 

[docnyt]

Sam1911, those are some cool accessories. Makes it look more modern.

SDC, the seller did mention that he likes the S&W the most.

I'd love to buy them all but...decisions, decisions.

The thing is my time may be limited since the seller seems to have health issues and apparently his son dislikes firearms and he has nobody to pass these on to. Also not sure how NFA wait times may be affected by recent anti gun tumult. I may need to have my class 3 FFL broker the deal.

 

[Sam1911]

Sam1911, those are some cool accessories. Makes it look more modern.

Yeah, but more importantly, the Lage uppers make it much more ergonomic, optics -ready (that's HUGE), and allow you to adjust the cyclic rate to fine-tune controllability to suit your tastes.

Then of course there's also lots of modern feature improvements like better safety, thumb-lever mag release and other details that bring them into line with modern shooting techniques. Aside from the basic lower receiver, it's a whole different gun.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

Uzi and M10 .45 here.
You don't mention prices or gear included. A Mac10 should be priced at 50% to 60% of an Uzi. The Smith is undervalued in my opinion at equal or slightly below the Uzi.

The Uzi is really an adaptable gun as well and would be my recommendation. Nice moderate ROF, and with buffers of varying length you can step up the ROF to rival a Mac.
With a detachable wood stock the gun is capable at 100yds. Lots of Factory spec parts on the market and Racine Joe's Subgun .22 kit runs great. The black dog mags may be in short supply at this time though.
Scope mount top covers are available as well.

The Smith mags are a little harder to round up, but they are around. SDC is right, it would be a great shooter.

You don't mention caliber on the Mac. In .45, they are a tank just like the Uzi and the Smith. Runs and runs, albeit pretty fast. Reloading 185 and 200 SWCs in mine with charges as light as 3.3grs. Bullseye. Slows it down and makes it much more controllable for small stature shooters.
My experience with the M10 9mm is limited. Good reliable magazines can be a situation. Finding Walther MPL mags today is a real chore!
Others with experience can chime in on them.

JT

 

[Mp7]

i´d opt for the Mac10 - only because all those MilTec-style accessories.


For style, it would have to be that cheap Carl Gustav copy....

 

[AlexanderA]

I've owned a MAC 11 (with suppressor) and didn't like it. Of the ones the OP mentioned, I'd go with the S&W 76. Actually, my taste would run more to the C&R's, such as Thompsons.

For a working gun (particularly if it's your only full automatic), I'd stick to one of the carbine versions of the M16. It does everything a subgun does, and more.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I'd go the '76 for collectibility, ergos and heritage on top of the select fire premium. Great and interesting history in the U.S. military for the '76 and beyond that, I'm a monster "Swedish K" fan. It was my absolute favorite open bolt outa our arms room inventory right after the Soumi... does he have one of those?

 

[docnyt]

I believe the Mac is 9mm but I'll have to confirm.

No Suomi but IIRC he also mentioned a Thompson.

I've stumbled upon a gold mine and can't sleep contemplating the NFA transfer process literally before this guy kicks the bucket.

 

[Jim K]

For value and collectibility it is hard to beat a 1921 or 1928 TSMG.

But of the three guns mentioned earlier, the most collectible would be the S&W, but the UZI might be more practical. Check the UZI to see if it was originally made as an SMG or if it was converted from a semi-auto carbine. I understand that the original guns are much less common than the converted ones and more valuable.

Jim

 

[Dr.Rob]

I've handled the Uzi and MAC-10, I think the Uzi is a lot more controllable and pretty easy to convert calibers.

The price of an Uzi won't set you back like a Thompson.

 

[smkummer]

Lots of choices, get what you like

I have shot them all and own a Uzi. Parts and mags. are cheap, the gun is very well built. If you ever get an out of battery incident, the Uzi protects the shooter the best and oftern the gun is still good to go or just replace the top cover. One can do all kinds of things with an Uzi including easily mounting a suppressor and optics if wanting to do so. The Uzi in stock form is almost as compact as a mac. but one can install the wood stock and other goodies to make it bigger. If the gun is a registered reciever gun rather than a registered bolt gun, you can change calibers to 22 or 45 if desired.

The 76 is very nice shooting also but only one person makes parts for it should it need it. I too love the rate of fire and to myself it has the feel of what a subgun should be.

The mac really was transformed with Richard Lage's uppers. Others started slowing down the mac but his items appeared to trump them all. His converted guns are now placing in the top spots at the national Knob Creek subgun matches. I have only fired a stock mac and prefered the slower guns to a stock mac but again Lage's uppers have transformed the guns. And Richard is a really nice guy. Mac's lingered long in the 2.5-3K range prior to the lage upper, now they are creeking up.

If you can fire them before buying, by all means do so.

 

[docnyt]

Thanks for the input guys (and maybe gals).

I wish I could try before I buy but I'm not sure if the seller will let me. I may pick up more than one.

Regarding the transfer process, can an FFL class 3 dealer "keep" an item in storage until papers are finalized, assuming it's paid for? Like I mentioned, I'm afraid the seller may succumb to his health issues (morbid concern I know) before the gun is transferred.