Semi-Auto M249 SAW

[The Grand Inquisitor]

http://www.urban-armory.com/justin.htm




Urban Armory has one, so they do actually exist.

The bad news is that it is $8500.


Why aren't these being made for civ ownership? I can;t imagine that if there was someone producing them for under $2000 there wouldn't be a serious market for them. Semi-Auto 1919's and other old style belt-feds are under $1500 these days, and while thos are likely simpler to manufactuer, the SAW still seems like something entirely do-able.

What makes these so rare?

 

[ziadel]

based on what I have been told by everone I know that was issued one of these, I'll pass.

I'll feed non nato brass into my CETME if I really want to rip cases in half.

 

[Cortland]

There's a fellow out there making M249 (and RPD) uppers for full-auto MACs

Aren't M249s made by FN? In Belgium? They're not sporting. So you've got importation issues. The semi-auto SAWs are probably so rare because they would've had to get here before 89. The fellow making the uppers doesn't have to worry about 922(r) since that doesn't apply to Title II firearms.

If this is the case (foreign made), your only option would be to import semi-autos as dealers samples and sell them as SBRs. This would get around 922(r). (Note that I don't think a rifle actually has to have <16" bbl to be registered as an SBR). This same importation/SBR strategy would work with a lot of other desirable rifles in a semi-auto configuration, like HKs and Sigs. But the market would be tiny, and it might be difficult for importers to get the ATF and manufacturers to go along with this little "loop-hole." You'd also have to convince FN to make a semi-auto version for you (which I'm sure they don't now) given ATF's "once a MG, always a MG" ruling.

As you may now, FN will be making civilian versions of the P90 and F2000 in the US in the near future. I don't know if they also plan to make Minimis here, too. Could be ... But I doubt it.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Why so expensive, eh? Two giants at war is the answer...

The free market(free meaning permitted by authorities ) is obviously losing this fight to the Congress Critter's/Sheeple's ,"Emotions", ...

 

[Cortland]

Huh? The M249 semi-auto is so expensive because of a laws passed 37 and 16 years ago, respectively. What does war have to do with it?

 

[Kharn]

The SAW is also open bolt, so anything called a "semiauto" SAW in the US, is just a look-alike. Open bolts are considered MGs by the ATF.

Kharn

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

If the patent is up...

The gun was manufactured domesticly, and fired from a closed bolt(like look alike thompsons" then it would be perfectly legal(meeting all other local and federal mandates)

So get some blueprints, a machine shop, and make your own,"Semi-auto belt fed, closed bolt, M249 S-SAW(Squad Semi-Automatic Weapon)

 

[Cortland]

The gun was manufactured domesticly, and fired from a closed bolt(like look alike thompsons" then it would be perfectly legal(meeting all other local and federal mandates)

So get some blueprints, a machine shop, and make your own,"Semi-auto belt fed, closed bolt, M249 S-SAW(Squad Semi-Automatic Weapon)

That's right, but it wouldn't be $2000. It wouldn't be anywhere NEAR $2000. $8500 would be a bargain.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

Good posts everyone, unfortunately you are all correct in why these are never going to be available for less than 10 large.


I'd forgotten about the open bolt thing and that these would be classified as SBR's without a barrel lengthening.

 

[Beren]

$8500 gets you close to real M16 machinegun territory. I'd rather have the M16.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Beren,

I agree...You can get a belt-fed upper for a registered m-16 easier than making your own Semi-SAW...My point, Cortland, is that you can still make this item, pursuant to local and Federal law...I said we are at,"War", not to prey on emotion but to state the truth of the matter. Gunnies are at War with the supposed sensible sheeple that say a weapon has to have a sporting purpose, when I did not see that ammendment or add-in to the 2nd ammendment Are you still ? I can explain more, really aske me

 

[walking arsenal]

Other than Ares Defense, who else makes a belt fed upper for the M16-Ar15 variants?

 

[jobu07]

Well, you can get the M16 for $8500. But if someone really wants a semi-auto M249, then $8500 is a bargain compared to what the price of a transferrable full auto one would go for.

 

[Cortland]

Other than Ares Defense, who else makes a belt fed upper for the M16-Ar15 variants?

Dude, you just said a mouthful there. Look around on subguns or sturmgewehr -- I think some would disagree with you that Ares "makes" a belt fed upper. Sells, yes. Makes? Who knows.

Lakeside is making (not just selling!) a .22LR beltfed upper, and there's another outfit that has made MG34 M16 uppers.

 

[walking arsenal]

Ok, so if ares doesnt make them who does?

 

[Cortland]

Ok, so if ares doesnt make them who does?

No, no -- Ares has missed deadline after deadline and is *years* behind schedule. They've sold (take pre-orders with deposits) many units but after years and years of waiting they've delivered only a handful.

 

[Farnham]

After being issued a SAW, I'd rather spend my $8500 on...well, anything but a SAW.

S/F

Farnham