pre-1994 ban AR serial numbers

[mauve66]

there seems to be some confusion on what serial numbers can be converted to full auto from before the old ban, anybody have a reliable link?
i keep seeing conflicting info and the manufacturer is out of business (PWA)

[kab69440]

None of them, unless you happen to possess a Class III FFL.

[mauve66]

so i need a business license/commercial address to even apply??

so if the serial number is before the ban i can get a 3 FFL to convert it and its legal because its before the ban??

[kab69440]

First you buy a gun shop. Then you spend 15-20 years jumping through hoops, praying and begging Almighty Government for the privilege to buy, maintain and transfer machine guns. And also to approve the transfer to another Class III holder or approved (law enforcement, military) buyer.

Break is over. More discussion of the difference between machine gun and "assault weapon"(subject if said ban) later tonight.

[ACUDANUT]

None can be modified easily to make them full-auto.  I know Red Jacket in LA ( Louisiana)  is one of only about a dozen that can do this conversion legally. But to own one you must have a Tax Stamp and have prior approval from the FFL. Ain't worth it IMO.

[twodko]

A FA weapon is a huge waste if ammo. Single well placed shots or 3 round bursts will do more predictable damage than full on rock 'n roll.

[charge69]

twodco is right !!  Never been a fan of FA guns, especially if you want to actually "hit" something! Even 3-round burst weapons just are not accurate past the first shot and cost just as much money , time , and background investigation as FA guns.  FA guns are also horrendously expensive. If you want to waste that much money, I can think of lots better ways.

[AKcharger]

Just file down the sear and you'll be fine, the risk of 10 years in jail is worth it! 

[ACUDANUT]

, the risk of 10 years in jail is worth it! 

You obviously do not know what you are talking about. "Just file down the sear and you'll be fine" This is not a AK.  This is a labor intensive gun to make it a automatic.

[John_Kunkel]

A FA weapon is a huge waste if ammo. Single well placed shots or 3 round bursts will do more predictable damage than full on rock 'n roll.

But you're forgetting the "fun factor".

Getting a Class III license depends a lot on where you are because the locals have to sign off on it...in Commie republics like California forget about it.

[mauve66]

no politics please
i don't care about the "one well placed shot" or "huge waste of ammo" thing, i have access to a gun that the owner says is pre-ban (1994 ban not 1986 firearms act) and says you can legally have a class 3 dealer make it full auto (if you get approval of course) (i have no reason to be a gun dealer), i don't care about shooting the full auto, i'm trying to verify that guns with certain serial numbers CAN be changed.  This gun would inherently have more value down the road than a regular post ban gun.  I want to make sure my info is correct BEFORE i try to tell someone else it can be changed down the road

State of Nevada

any help thanks, there is a local gun store that DOESN'T cater to tourists so maybe i can get an answer out of them.... but since their not selling maybe they won't be put on the line saying yes or no about it??

[WINGMAN]

  Yes you can make most any AR 15 full auto the SN # DO NOT come into play on a build BUT you need to have a class 2 manufacture license and then you need to fill out a form 1 Application to make and register a firearm and send it to the ATF if they approve it you can make it but if you ever want to sell it you can only sell it to another class 2 or LE or the goverment NO one else.If your cot with a full auto gun or a shotgun with a BBL less than 18 inches with out a tax stamp or a c 2 or 3 license you go to jail. I have a HK MP 5 + many other NFA toys and fullauto is not for every one but it puts a smile on your face just like when i drive my real 69 Daytona.  Jay.

[AKcharger]

, the risk of 10 years in jail is worth it!  

You obviously do not know what you are talking about. "Just file down the sear and you'll be fine" This is not a AK.  This is a labor intensive gun to make it a automatic.

[ACUDANUT]

AR-15 Preban was nothing more than a regular AR-15 minus the bayonet stud and I think the flash suppressor.  The seriel numbers do nothing for you as far as making one legal for a auto or not.  That is another series of paper work and legal issues.

[mauve66]

  Yes you can make most any AR 15 full auto the SN # DO NOT come into play on a build BUT you need to have a class 2 manufacture license and then you need to fill out a form 1 Application to make and register a firearm and send it to the ATF if they approve it you can make it but if you ever want to sell it you can only sell it to another class 2 or LE or the goverment NO one else.If your cot with a full auto gun or a shotgun with a BBL less than 18 inches with out a tax stamp or a c 2 or 3 license you go to jail. I have a HK MP 5 + many other NFA toys and fullauto is not for every one but it puts a smile on your face just like when i drive my real 69 Daytona.  Jay.

ok, thanks, i don't need to be a class 2 manufacturer, i can just get one to do it for me or the next person can get someone to do it, right??
and serial numbers have no influence on which weapon is modified, just the ATF approval?

we got to shoot full auto in the military, it was fun but not my main interest

[skip68]

Get a slider stock.   

[mauve66]

whats the stock have to do with the firing of the gun??
is that thin air in pahrump getting to you.....................

[skip68]

Slider stocks let the gun fire off the recoil also known as bump fire.  They are pricey but legal.    My air is just fine up here Robert.   We can shoot all over out here for the most part.   Coyotes are nice targets and fair game all year round.    

[ACUDANUT]

any pic's of this "slider stock"

[skip68]

The "slide fire stock" is 100% legal to own and use.   I've thought about getting one.  Look them up on YouTube.   Basically makes your gun fire like it's fully automatic by "bump fire" but legally.  

[kab69440]

AR-15 Preban was nothing more than a regular AR-15 minus the bayonet stud and I think the flash suppressor.  The seriel numbers do nothing for you as far as making one legal for a auto or not.  That is another series of paper work and legal issues.

Just the opposite. "Pre-ban" refers to a weapon still retaining those cosmetic features manufactured before the ban took effect. No matter what it is or when it was manufactured, the public at large cannot legally own, possess, manufacture or transfer a machine gun.

[ACUDANUT]

Wrong.

[SnoPro440]

The AWB of 1994 consisted of 5 things.  Flash hider, collapsible stock, bayonet lug, pistol grip and detachable mag.  Between 1994 and 2004, the rifle could only have 2 out of 5 of those.  During the ban, manufactures left off the bayonet lug, flash hider and collapsible stock.

[ACUDANUT]

Yep, that's what I said. (except the collapsible stock) I forget that one.

[lloyd3]

It was my understanding that BATF will no longer issue a licence for Class III weapons. If a weapon was licenced before the final cut-off (which was some time ago now, back in the 1980s?), then it can be transferred to a "licenced owner", and only certain States will still issue those individual licences, most won't.   So...you effectively need two "licences" one for the person and one for the weapon, and since "permitted" weapons are all nearly 30-years old now, they are very limited and very expensive.  Years ago, while working in Arizona, I saw a few of the "legal" machine-guns you could buy there, then. None were under $3,500 (and these were beat-to-death, WWII-era guns). They would cost way-more than that now, assuming you could get your home state to issue you a licence to own one.