Can a semi-auto rifle be converted to fully automatic legally?

[M@D-M@X]

The title says it all.
I'm not knowledgeable on the NAF rules and I heve never explored it.

Is there a legal way were a title I rifle can be re-registered and converted into a title II rifle.

If so what are the limitations if any as far the way it is modified.

Thoughts please,
Thx.

[ss1]

No, unless it is for making a post sample for LE or military sales purposes which only properly licensed FFL's can own. Basically, civilians can not own a selctfire/automatic firearm that had not already been registered with the NFA branch of the ATF prior to 1986 with the passing of the FOPA. The Hughes Amendment of the FOPA banned the civilian use of newly manufactured machine guns. This was inserted and passed in the middle of the night with a unrecorded voice vote, so we don't know who approved the insertion of the ban on machine guns. The fact of the matter is that this was a NRA supported bill since it had some good language banning a national gun registry, etc, but I still hold them responsible for selling out and condoning the negative public perception of machine guns.

Edited to add: When you convert an old semi-automatic to automatic, you ARE newly creating a machine gun, just like if you were making an exisitng rifle in your collection into a short barreled rifle. You would need to file a Form 1 to manufacture a SBR.

[liquidsniper]

There is an exception to the rule. Auto Sears

HK's, M16's, and FNC's are the main market in this department. You can take a registered auto sear and run it in the correct host. As in you cannot use an HK sear to put in say an AK47 (example). Mostly because they are host specific and ATF has also ruled that the Sear must be used in the host gun it was intended for e.g. more FNC auto sears than FNC rifles in the US. However, auto sears are treated as machine guns in the eyes of the ATF. You are just defacto making your host weapon a machine gun by marrying it to the auto sear. Since they are limited in number and can no longer be made, they are just as expensive as machine guns. Look up M16 RDIAS and you will see examples of this.

[ss1]

Yes, that is an exception I did not think about, as I had fixated on the "re-registering" part.

[M@D-M@X]

Well that might sound promising then.

I have a Springfield Armory SAR-8 (HK-91 clone) post ban which I would like to install the works including 3-round burst.

Pls. Make my day and tell me that there might be a way.

[liquidsniper]

Do some research on HK auto sears then. The good thing about HK sears is they can be used in multiple hosts such as HK21's, MP5's, HK53's, G3's etc. However, I am not an expert on HK sears so you would have to do research on whether or not it would be able to fit your clone. Ask around on places like subguns, arfcom class 3 section, HK boards to get more input. Be prepared to pay around 15k for one though.

[lino]

Yes, that is an exception I did not think about, as I had fixated on the "re-registering" part.


C3PO failed to compute :bolt:

[M@D-M@X]

It's funny you mentioned that. I actually started to contenplate the idea since I found several places selling the trigger groups at reasonable prices with availability. Actually the trigger group is encased in a box an there are a few mods needed on the lower like removing a welded pin and modding the selector for the box to drop in.

Now as far as this rifle been a post-band unit, would ther be any issues as long as I fill the right paperwork and pay all the fees?

And BTW Thanks for both of your inputs Liquid & C3PO.

[spikes40]

right now HK auto sear packs are running about 12,500

[M@D-M@X]

I might be confused then.

Here is a full lower G3 trigger group for under $800.

Is it the fact that this is a replament part instead?

[M@D-M@X]

OK.
Never mind I think I found the answer to my own question.

http://164.58.173.38/hot51/hot51.com/regsear.htm

[JaxChris]

Yes, the trigger pack you were looking at is a replacement part for factory full auto HK's. You would have to show proof of ownership of an existing legally owned HK to purchase those parts (they're usually 400$ I think). Those triggers packs will not fit in your weapon and any modification to make them fit would be a federal crime and effectively ruin your life.

[M@D-M@X]

Oh yeah... I'm aware of that. That is why I'm trying to weight out my options without pissing BATF off or as you well put it ruining my life.

I did not know that the NFA considers a registered HK auto sear as a machine gun.

[liquidsniper]

ATF's rule "Once a machine gun always a machine gun." And yes, $400 trigger packs are not the way to go on an HK. You will spend time at the gray bar hotel. HK Auto Sears can be found though for the price listed above and will transfer to you on a Form 4. Hope this info helps.

[M@D-M@X]

ATF's rule "Once a machine gun always a machine gun." And yes, $400 trigger packs are not the way to go on an HK. You will spend time at the gray bar hotel. HK Auto Sears can be found though for the price listed above and will transfer to you on a Form 4. Hope this info helps.

Yes it does...

Thx for your help you guys are great..:+1: