Post by Galland on Jan 5, 2003 0:03:03 GMT -5
The assault weapon import ban of 1989 and the assault weapons ban of 1994 has spawned a cottage industry. Certain rifles are banned from import, but they can be built, sold and possessed without certain cosmetic features intact.
So-called "post ban" assault weapons can't have flash hiders, threaded muzzles, bayonet lugs or folding stocks. An assult weapon is any firearm that (a) has a semi-automatic action and (b) uses detachable magazines. Rifles specifically banned must have at least six U.S. made parts to be legal. Don't ask me why- that's just the way it is.
Previous to the ban, many distribution level dealers specialized in importing semi-automatic versions of military rifles. The AK-47, the Steyr AUG and the FN-FAL are prime examples. After the ban, they couldn't import any more rifles. But they could import fully automatic rifles, destroy the receiver and sell the rest as a "parts kit".
This condition led to a cottage industry of sorts and has greatly increased the do-it-yourself gun building hobby. One can buy parts kits for various kinds of guns, including the Uzi, the FAL the AK and numerous other firearms. Of course, the trick is finding a semi-automatic receiver to replace the original FA receiver.
The "deactivated" FA receiver:
Semi-auto FAL receivers are commonly available these days. One can buy a Brazilian Imbel, and various domestic models made by such companies as Coonan and Enterprise Arms. My own receiver is a Non-Gear Logo Brazilian Imbel. NGL merely means that it lacks an Imbel factory logo stamping on the right side.
My FAL kit was taken from a Brazilian Imbel fully automatic FAL. Many countries used the FAL. Some made their own while others order theirs on contract from friendly nations. Some used the metric pattern while others used the inch pattern. This particular parts kit is metric, as is the receiver. Most countries have opted to replace their FAL rifles with more modern guns, like the M16 and the H&K G36 series. This is why kits are in abundance here in the USA.
Although many hobbyists build their own FAL rifles, I am going to send mine off to a professional gun smith who specialises in the FAL rifle. I have neither the tools nor the expertise (or confidence!) to build my own FAL. It will, of course, include the obligatory six U.S. parts. And the flash hider will be replaced with a muzzle break. U.S. FAL parts are available, so that won't be a problem.
The kit with new semi-auto receiver:
Some folks to go great lengths to make their FAL look "just like the real thing", but I'm not terrible concerned with that aspect of the rifle. I'm more concerned with function, as opposed to looks. I'm going to replace the flash hider with an Enterprise Arms Zero-climb muzzle brake. And I might replace the rear sight with a windage adjustable sight made by Volunteer Ordinance Works. It should be a neat rifle. I'll post more pictures as this project progresses.
Galland
So-called "post ban" assault weapons can't have flash hiders, threaded muzzles, bayonet lugs or folding stocks. An assult weapon is any firearm that (a) has a semi-automatic action and (b) uses detachable magazines. Rifles specifically banned must have at least six U.S. made parts to be legal. Don't ask me why- that's just the way it is.
Previous to the ban, many distribution level dealers specialized in importing semi-automatic versions of military rifles. The AK-47, the Steyr AUG and the FN-FAL are prime examples. After the ban, they couldn't import any more rifles. But they could import fully automatic rifles, destroy the receiver and sell the rest as a "parts kit".
This condition led to a cottage industry of sorts and has greatly increased the do-it-yourself gun building hobby. One can buy parts kits for various kinds of guns, including the Uzi, the FAL the AK and numerous other firearms. Of course, the trick is finding a semi-automatic receiver to replace the original FA receiver.
The "deactivated" FA receiver:
Semi-auto FAL receivers are commonly available these days. One can buy a Brazilian Imbel, and various domestic models made by such companies as Coonan and Enterprise Arms. My own receiver is a Non-Gear Logo Brazilian Imbel. NGL merely means that it lacks an Imbel factory logo stamping on the right side.
My FAL kit was taken from a Brazilian Imbel fully automatic FAL. Many countries used the FAL. Some made their own while others order theirs on contract from friendly nations. Some used the metric pattern while others used the inch pattern. This particular parts kit is metric, as is the receiver. Most countries have opted to replace their FAL rifles with more modern guns, like the M16 and the H&K G36 series. This is why kits are in abundance here in the USA.
Although many hobbyists build their own FAL rifles, I am going to send mine off to a professional gun smith who specialises in the FAL rifle. I have neither the tools nor the expertise (or confidence!) to build my own FAL. It will, of course, include the obligatory six U.S. parts. And the flash hider will be replaced with a muzzle break. U.S. FAL parts are available, so that won't be a problem.
The kit with new semi-auto receiver:
Some folks to go great lengths to make their FAL look "just like the real thing", but I'm not terrible concerned with that aspect of the rifle. I'm more concerned with function, as opposed to looks. I'm going to replace the flash hider with an Enterprise Arms Zero-climb muzzle brake. And I might replace the rear sight with a windage adjustable sight made by Volunteer Ordinance Works. It should be a neat rifle. I'll post more pictures as this project progresses.
Galland
