Mech Tech carbine conversion
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Preacherman
Member
I've tried one owned by a friend, and found it fairly functional - no problems with feeding, accuracy, etc. However, I think they're waaaaayy overpriced - one can get three Hi-Point 9mm. carbines, or one-and-a-half Kel-Tec's, for the price of a single MechTech uint.
M2 Carbine
member
I agree that it's too overpriced.
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"By the way, according to ATF once you convert it you can't switch it back unless you register it as an SBR."
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Kurush do you have a link to this?
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"By the way, according to ATF once you convert it you can't switch it back unless you register it as an SBR."
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Kurush do you have a link to this?
I double checked this, it's generally true that you can make pistols into rifles but not vice versa, but it seems ATF made an exception for these conversion kits.M2 Carbine said:
But you do have to change the barrel first, because if it has a stock and a short barrel it's an SBR.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Citation?
dracphelan
Member
I own one and have found it fairly reliable and accurate. I paid $320 total for mine.
Yes, you can own 2 Hi-Point carbines for the cost of 1. However, you can't get a Hi-Point in 45 ACP. You can see my review at the following link:
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/surplusrifle/vpost?id=673237&highlight=mech+tech
Yes, you can own 2 Hi-Point carbines for the cost of 1. However, you can't get a Hi-Point in 45 ACP. You can see my review at the following link:
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/surplusrifle/vpost?id=673237&highlight=mech+tech
I had one. It was hoot- very accurate and I dont' recall having any FTF's. I sold it to buy another toy. I probably wouldn't buy another in 9mm or .45acp, but someday I might buy one chambered for the .460 Rowland as a companion to my converted S&W 625.
The Mech-Tech carbine units are in no way a violation of any law. The unit consists of a barrelled stock unit that completely replaces the slide and barrel of the pistol. You cannot attach the standard short barrel and slide at the same time as the buttstock. Therefore, you either have a 16+" barrel with buttstock OR the standard slide unit that came with the pistol.
This is a very different situation than some of the old "broomhandle" Mausers or some of the Hi-Powers that attached a buttstock to the grip portion of the pistol rather than replacing the slide. Another example is a certain variant of the HK VP70 that had a detachable buttstock. For these, you need NFA tax stamps, etc. in most cases though I believe some of the Mausers are grandfathered under some law. (I'm a little fuzzy on that part, and have no references at hand. And since I don't plan on buying one, I really don't care to look into it that hard.)
This is perfectly legal and there's no real way to easily screw up on this matter.
This is a very different situation than some of the old "broomhandle" Mausers or some of the Hi-Powers that attached a buttstock to the grip portion of the pistol rather than replacing the slide. Another example is a certain variant of the HK VP70 that had a detachable buttstock. For these, you need NFA tax stamps, etc. in most cases though I believe some of the Mausers are grandfathered under some law. (I'm a little fuzzy on that part, and have no references at hand. And since I don't plan on buying one, I really don't care to look into it that hard.)
This is perfectly legal and there's no real way to easily screw up on this matter.
El Rojo
Member
Damn California and their stupid laws. I would probably buy one for my 1911, but alas, that would be an assault weapon! 
smince
Member.
Love mine. Had it since 2001. Wish I had a buck for everyone who thought/thinks it is illegal(except in Cali). Just a check of the www.mechtechsys.com site will confirm any questions.
Mine has been 100% reliable except with a tightly fitted match frame(1911).
Reasonably accurate. I used an old Springfield frame as a dedicated lower for mine. And I've made a few mods(just so no one gets their panties in a wad, it is 28" overall with the stock closed
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Mine has been 100% reliable except with a tightly fitted match frame(1911).
Reasonably accurate. I used an old Springfield frame as a dedicated lower for mine. And I've made a few mods(just so no one gets their panties in a wad, it is 28" overall with the stock closed
):Attachments
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El Rojo
Member
Yeah rub it in. That is a nice looking set up. Of course it wouldn't be illegal or they wouldn't be selling them. That is sort of a no brainer.
Babalouie
Member
Yep, had one, loved it, no failures, surprisingly accurate and really fun. I sold it to help finance an AR...sorry to see it go but glader to have the AR.
smince
Member.
Here are a few details of my CCU mods:
Normally an extended saftey doesn't work, but I used a wide lever and took enough off the INSIDE edge that it will bypass the outer edge of the receiver tube. There is also an extended mag release and mag well on the frame.
I added the Mechtech sight rail, but retapped the hole for the front sight and replaced it with a tritium AR15 sight(XS 24/7 model). Before the sight/equipment rail had been added, I had put the rail on bottom for a light. When I moved the light I added the vertical grip to the bottom rail. A pair of Surefire 6P's cover tac lighting. The BSA dot has been very reliable through a few thousand rounds.
Mechtech had promised a telescoping stock, but it never materialized because of the AWB. After the AWB expired I contacted them to see if they might offer one in the future, but didn't get an encouraging response. So I took matters into my own hands and I made an adapter at work for the M4 stock.
I use Wilson Bureaucrat and Ed Brown 10-rounders exclusively. They are the most reliable I've found. And I haven't found any over 10 rounds that are reliable enough. This is the weapon I usually grab if something goes bump in the night.
Best accuracy comes from +p HP's. Both the Corbon 165 and the Black Hills 230 shoot into under 2" at 50 yds. Standard 230 grn ball shoots about 3.5" at this distance. Mine is heavy, but recoil is about like a .22 mag.
I thought the distinctive "twang" you hear is from the stock, but it still does it with some the M4 stock. I think it is from the recoil spring more than the stock vibrating like a tuning fork.
When I bought mine, 1911 was the only flavor available. Otherwise, I might have gone with the Glock package. On the other hand, it is easier(and if you shop around, cheaper) to set up a separate frame for the 1911 package than to get a Glock frame. Thought of changing to a Para-ordnance frame for increased capacity, but haven't decided yet. I like having mag interchangebility with my other 1911's.
The only reliability problems I've encountered was with a friends' match pistol. The frame needs a little looseness (or "wiggle") it seems when pinned into the CCU, and his was so thight it wouldn't even reliably feed ball. However, his was very reliable when attached to its own slide.
Unless you try to cut the barrel off in front of the handguard. Then it would have to be SBR registered.
I'm sorry for you guys in Kali. You miss out on a lot of fun toys.
Normally an extended saftey doesn't work, but I used a wide lever and took enough off the INSIDE edge that it will bypass the outer edge of the receiver tube. There is also an extended mag release and mag well on the frame.
I added the Mechtech sight rail, but retapped the hole for the front sight and replaced it with a tritium AR15 sight(XS 24/7 model). Before the sight/equipment rail had been added, I had put the rail on bottom for a light. When I moved the light I added the vertical grip to the bottom rail. A pair of Surefire 6P's cover tac lighting. The BSA dot has been very reliable through a few thousand rounds.
Mechtech had promised a telescoping stock, but it never materialized because of the AWB. After the AWB expired I contacted them to see if they might offer one in the future, but didn't get an encouraging response. So I took matters into my own hands and I made an adapter at work for the M4 stock.
I use Wilson Bureaucrat and Ed Brown 10-rounders exclusively. They are the most reliable I've found. And I haven't found any over 10 rounds that are reliable enough. This is the weapon I usually grab if something goes bump in the night.
Best accuracy comes from +p HP's. Both the Corbon 165 and the Black Hills 230 shoot into under 2" at 50 yds. Standard 230 grn ball shoots about 3.5" at this distance. Mine is heavy, but recoil is about like a .22 mag.
I thought the distinctive "twang" you hear is from the stock, but it still does it with some the M4 stock. I think it is from the recoil spring more than the stock vibrating like a tuning fork.
When I bought mine, 1911 was the only flavor available. Otherwise, I might have gone with the Glock package. On the other hand, it is easier(and if you shop around, cheaper) to set up a separate frame for the 1911 package than to get a Glock frame. Thought of changing to a Para-ordnance frame for increased capacity, but haven't decided yet. I like having mag interchangebility with my other 1911's.
The only reliability problems I've encountered was with a friends' match pistol. The frame needs a little looseness (or "wiggle") it seems when pinned into the CCU, and his was so thight it wouldn't even reliably feed ball. However, his was very reliable when attached to its own slide.
Unless you try to cut the barrel off in front of the handguard. Then it would have to be SBR registered.
I'm sorry for you guys in Kali. You miss out on a lot of fun toys.
walking arsenal
Member
Smince, were did you get all those neat add ons?
smince
Member.
walking arsenal said:
Sight rail from Mechtech, Verticle grip from Ebay, Surefire lights from my dealer, M4 stock from Sportsmans Guide, BSA Dot from Wal-mart. The mag pouches came from Galati.
The frame was for a race gun I was going to build until I found the CCU.
Brownell's has these on clearance right now. Better get one while you can.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=17679 Mine is on the way
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=17679 Mine is on the way
smince
Member.
That's about what I paid for mine in 2001. Bought it at a gun show.
I checked on the dealers side of Brownell's. There isn't any additional discount for dealers on this closeout item.
It is a very good price.
I checked on the dealers side of Brownell's. There isn't any additional discount for dealers on this closeout item.
It is a very good price.
Cortland
Member
Can I play, too?
My next project is to send the barrel off to be threaded for an adapter so I can use my .45 Uzi suppressor with it.
My next project is to send the barrel off to be threaded for an adapter so I can use my .45 Uzi suppressor with it.
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I love mine in 10mm (glock). Hey, how do you guys get that rail underneath - just drill & tap, or is it made for the mech-tech? Smince and Cortland, those are very nice. Mine wears merely a red dot (Redfield brand). Kinda cool having 15 rounds of 10mm. It would be in the top 3-5 left if I had to pare down to just 'X' number of guns, since it is fairly versatile. I'm still not buying that once you put it together and then un-assemble, it's an SBR. 
I'll take my chances anyhow.
Oh, I had one in .45 acp (1911), and liked it too, but I wanted to shoot .45 super in it, but the jackasses at Mech-Tech would not even be so kind as to return my email inquiries into the wisdom of doing this, let alone say yes or no. So I sold it, since .45 acp is not too impressive from a carbine.
I'll take my chances anyhow.Oh, I had one in .45 acp (1911), and liked it too, but I wanted to shoot .45 super in it, but the jackasses at Mech-Tech would not even be so kind as to return my email inquiries into the wisdom of doing this, let alone say yes or no. So I sold it, since .45 acp is not too impressive from a carbine.
Cortland
Member
My foregrip was a "custom" job. The handguard is relatively easy to take off, although the eight hex head screws which hold the handguard in place also hold the barrel in place so Mechtech warns you that removing them can affect headspacing. I'm not sure this is a big deal, though, since mine is a .460 and I always shoot .45 through it, so it's headspacing off the extractor to begin with. Anyway, I bought this $10 grip and rail set from MidwayUSA. Mounting required drilling the handguard along with a little Dremel (Proxxon to be technical) work and manual persuasion. The rail is secured to the handguard with flange nuts.
If the CCU can handle .460 Rowland, I'm sure it can handle .45 Super.
Regarding the SBR thing, wasn't this settled by T/C? They wanted to sell a receiver together with a pistol grip, rifle stock, <16" bbl, and >16" bbl. They registered it on a Form 1 and then sued for a tax refund, claming it wasn't really an SBR. ATF said it was an SBR because of the stock and <16" bbl. The court ruled in T/C's favor, saying that it was only an SBR if assembled as such, and that constructive possession should only apply when there's no other legal use for the parts. If the NFA didn't apply to THAT, it certainly doesn't apply to CCUs.
The rule is that you can turn a pistol into a rifle (and back again), but not a rifle into a pistol (THAT would be an SBR). That's why you need a virgin receiver to build an AR-15 pistol.
If the CCU can handle .460 Rowland, I'm sure it can handle .45 Super.
Regarding the SBR thing, wasn't this settled by T/C? They wanted to sell a receiver together with a pistol grip, rifle stock, <16" bbl, and >16" bbl. They registered it on a Form 1 and then sued for a tax refund, claming it wasn't really an SBR. ATF said it was an SBR because of the stock and <16" bbl. The court ruled in T/C's favor, saying that it was only an SBR if assembled as such, and that constructive possession should only apply when there's no other legal use for the parts. If the NFA didn't apply to THAT, it certainly doesn't apply to CCUs.
The rule is that you can turn a pistol into a rifle (and back again), but not a rifle into a pistol (THAT would be an SBR). That's why you need a virgin receiver to build an AR-15 pistol.
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smince
Member.
I believe the SBR question is moot, since it is a single rifle unit with the barrel and stock permanently(more or less) attached. Although, several people inquired about the legality of my CCU before I left the gun show.
I'm quite sure Mechtech has all the legal bugs worked out, despite what the "distinguished legislators" in CA think about it.
The rail on my CCU is attached with epoxy and short wood screws into the poly handguard.
I've had mine all the way apart. Not something I'd recommend unless you are mechanically competent. The only thing that really bothered me is the recoil spring. If you had wooden screen doors on your house when you were a kid, the spring on them is what the recoil spring reminds me of.
I think this is where the "sproing" sound comes from, as mine still makes this sound even with the M4 stock.
I'm quite sure Mechtech has all the legal bugs worked out, despite what the "distinguished legislators" in CA think about it.
The rail on my CCU is attached with epoxy and short wood screws into the poly handguard.
I've had mine all the way apart. Not something I'd recommend unless you are mechanically competent. The only thing that really bothered me is the recoil spring. If you had wooden screen doors on your house when you were a kid, the spring on them is what the recoil spring reminds me of.
I think this is where the "sproing" sound comes from, as mine still makes this sound even with the M4 stock.
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