Convert Reising 50 to FA only

[lugercarbine]

First, I'm new to the list, having just found it. I'm planning on purchasing a Reising 50 commerical - on a form 4 in state. Have a FFL & C&R, unfortunately Connecticut doesn't see fit to allow machine guns to have a 'selector switch' between single shot and FA, but does allow FA only (the big loophole in the law). So the Reising I'm planning on purchasing from a individual in state will have to be converted to move the selector from 'safe' to FA (it could fire FA in the semi mode) but it must fire FA. The individual has owned the Reising before the law went into effect, so it was 'grandfathered' under the law - yeah, it is stupid, as I had to register my SIG AMT and my BM59 in order to remain legal and take them to the range. The big question is, is there something I can remove or bend internally in the Reising that it will function FA in the semi mode (I read about something being bent). The form 4 must read FA only or the NFA won't allow the paperwork to go through. It's a PIA, as I know of a individual who had to get a Thompson modified to fire FA ONLY in order for the transfer to go through. Any and all answers are welcomed. Thanks, Art

[Barry in IN]

Does it have to be a permanant or semi-permanant deal, or can it be temporary (like roll-pinning the FA components in place)?
I don't have any specific plan, but was wondering in which direction to look.

[lugercarbine]

It's supposed to be permanent, at least as far as the state is concerned and say so on the form 4 NFA paperwork. I spoke with a gunsmith here in CT and he wants $100 to do it, which isn't a problem - but I rather have the option of just removing something, if that is possible. I think that we are the only state that requires FA only on any legal MG in the USA - thanks to the 'pin heads' in Hartford back in 93.

[Barry in IN]

That's too bad. I was cooking up a theory that involved pinning or blocking parts in place.

Yeah, I'd sure like to be able to change it back if I were you.
I'd find out what that smith was going to change, then see if replacement parts are available anywhere- and order some if going that route.
In fact, I might base the whole conversion around what parts were most available.

[ptrthgr8]

I don't think you'd be able to get away with simply bending the parts, etc. I'd assume in order for it to be made permanently FA-only, it would require some smithin' of the receiver/parts to keep it from being changed back to select fire by simply replacing some parts. I've not heard of anyone who specialized in that sort of thing for the Reising. (Which doesn't mean they're not out there... only that I've not heard of anyone.)

That's a pretty whacked law... FA's okay, but select fire isn't? WTF?

North Dakota can be boring at times... but I'm sure glad we don't have to deal with stoopit laws like that (for now anyhow).

Good luck with that project and do keep us updated!

~ Greg ~

[lugercarbine]

Yes - it's a real FU law. If you look at the ATF manual for CT, there are 19 weapons banned by name, including the Colt AR15 which is manufactured in state. Besides the 19 named weapons, it now includes ones that are not named but they can have only 2 'evil' features - another words, pistol grip and detachable mag - nothing else. So, what happens, the AWB expires, people go crazy buying stuff off gunbroker, auctionarms, etc - they contact me to do the transfer into CT. I ask what they want to transfer, they tell me a Bushmaster with all the goodies - can't do it because of the limit on the 'evil' features and the CT AWB is still in effect. People curse me out, etc - but a 10K fine and 2 years in the slammer isn't worth it, and it won't fly when I call the Department of Public Safety for a authorization #. When all of this happened back in '93, the goof balls in Hartford said something had be done about assault rifles, so the 'selector' switch ban came into being as part of the overall law. Any NFA weapon coming out of CT with a selector switch operating was 'grandfathered' under the law providing it was registered with the state. Once the individual that owns the Reising gets back in state, we'll take the Reising to the gunsmith and I'll find out what he's planning on doing to make it State of Connecticut legal.

[Asmodeous]

This should be pretty simple to do.

When the selector is set to "Semi", the extension on the selector holds the automatic connector in a neutral positin and the autyomatic connector has no part in full auto fire.

So by modifying the selector (bend, break, cut, whatever), the "Semi" position would be the same as the the "Full" position regarding the conector.

Simple to do, cheap to repair (if you can find a spare safety selector), permanent in the gun that is modified.

[prebans]

I helped a fellow buy an AC-556 in CT. We ended up having a new selector machined and installed. The old selector was kept out of state at his parent's place.

Maybe you could have some new internals made and keep the original ones out of state..?

Mike

[Notch]

The law makers who put together laws like that should be dragged out of town bare naked by a team of horses. They are one of two things we DONT need in the Gov... One would be total jackasses, wich they are if they think a ridiqulous law like this does anything. Either that or they are cheat'n bastards, effectively "milking the clock" . Doing work they KNOW has no bearing what so ever but doing it none the less so that they LOOK busy.

[Old Guy]

This law did not sound so stupid when the law makers reacted like all the other states to ban AWs. They thought they could stop the possession of full autos in CT in the future with the 'select fire' wording. This is definitely a case of too many words screwing themselves. All CT residents should thank their state police for their interpertation on the meaning of 'select fire' as this full auto only interpertation allowed MGs. The state police could've easily interperted it as all MGs are AWs and no one would be here asking about 'full auto only' conversions.
Gun Parts Corp in West Hurley, NY still has Reising parts. I saw a Reising that went into CT back in '95 and it was a very simple FA only modification; just breaking off one of the legs of the selector. If I remember correctly, it was a piece that looked like an inverted T.

[Notch]

I see your point. Its scary though because interpetation is a double edged sword. A shelter built on interpetation is an even shakier structure than that based on actual words. I deal with a different kind of stupidity here in Mn. The general public is safe if we are allowed to own C&R MGs but it seems as though the ruling party believes that we are not so safe with a newer transferable "on the streets" so to speak!:bang

[ptrthgr8]

I deal with a different kind of stupidity here in Mn. The general public is safe if we are allowed to own C&R MGs but it seems as though the ruling party believes that we are not so safe with a newer transferable "on the streets" so to speak!:bang

I dunno... I think it makes sense to me. I mean, afterall, an original MG42 wouldn't do nearly as much damage as a more modern MAC-11, right?

Gawd, sometimes I really dislike politicians.

Cheers,

~ Greg ~

[Barry in IN]

I agree- Good point about looking on the bright side.
When I spent a few years in Illinois, I would've been grateful to have that ruling there.

[lugercarbine]

Yesterday I finally saw the model 50 Reising, serial #652xx, marked with a 'P' on the barrel. Here's my observations, barrel was very dirty when I did a bore light exam, so the owner & his friend get a wad of cotton and a coat hanger to clean out the barrel. Once done, mirror finish, but rifling is very light. Stock had been refinished swivels underneath w/leather sling, gun was blued but most of finish was gone, so gun had steel gray look. The magazine guide, the trigger guard and the butt plate all had been bead blasted so they were now a silver/gray tone - the present owner did this, but did not explain as to why. The price was 4,200 with 2 20 round H&R magazines - seeing what I did, I took a pass. The reason, first finding the dirty barrel I wondered how well the gun was cared for, and seeing that parts were bead blasted with no explanation made me wonder - at least I had the bike out for a decent ride up and back. The price of the gun, coupled that it will have to be converted to FA only (100) and the transfer (200) just made me cautious - maybe overly - any comments? Owner and friend were trying to tell me that it was only 1 transfer fee being in state, but I explained that I have a C&R, so no matter where I found one, it would still be only 1 transfer fee. Thanks for your help so far, and I'm glad that I had Frank's book with me :jester