What to buy?

[Z06]

I have owned 3 Model As (SA) and 1 UZI pistol (SA), all in the past. After 30 years I got the hell out of WA (NO MGs and suppressors could be owned.. BUT NOT USED!..WTF?) to the great state of AZ. Class III at last!
I want to get an UZI full size, as I love the slow ROF. (My M16-9mm is running at over 900 rpm)

My question is: Which UZI should I buy?

#1: I can buy an IMI Model B, restamped to read: "UZI SMG" and the "Model B" and "Semi Auto" have been filled in. It (obviously) has the semi-auto feed ramp and a registered SWD bolt.

#2: I can buy a NIB Vector .

The problem is I have heard there is a problem with Vector's heat treating of the receivers. This is such a concern to one Class III shop that they will only guarantee IMI guns & will not even sell Vectors. I do not know enough about UZIs to judge this. I was all set to get the Vector (even talked to Peter Kokalis about it) and all the "toys" for it, but now I don't know.

Sorry for the long winded post. Any input will be appreciated. -Z06

[tommygun2000]

Originally posted by Z06
I have owned 3 Model As (SA) and 1 UZI pistol (SA), all in the past. After 30 years I got the hell out of WA (NO MGs and suppressors could be owned.. BUT NOT USED!..WTF?) to the great state of AZ. Class III at last!
I want to get an UZI full size, as I love the slow ROF. (My M16-9mm is running at over 900 rpm)

My question is: Which UZI should I buy?

#1: I can buy an IMI Model B, restamped to read: "UZI SMG" and the "Model B" and "Semi Auto" have been filled in. It (obviously) has the semi-auto feed ramp and a registered SWD bolt.

#2: I can buy a NIB Vector .

The problem is I have heard there is a problem with Vector's heat treating of the receivers. This is such a concern to one Class III shop that they will only guarantee IMI guns & will not even sell Vectors. I do not know enough about UZIs to judge this. I was all set to get the Vector (even talked to Peter Kokalis about it) and all the "toys" for it, but now I don't know.

Sorry for the long winded post. Any input will be appreciated. -Z06

Trouble with the heat treating of the recievers? Thats a new one on me. Did they elaborate on it at all? Sounds like a personal grudge against Vector to me. Of all the Vectors out there, I've never heard word one about any problems with the recievers. Feed ramps, .22 kits, yes but those have been remedied, but never the recievers. This was their best selling point. Its hardened to minimize wear at the bolt contact points.

I'd buy a NEW Vector. And the fact that I own 7 is not affecting my opinion. I'd buy 7 more if I could afford them.
They are new guns, with a 1 year guarrantee.
I'd get some more opinions before I wrote off a "NEW" gun.
But don't wait too long or you'll be priced out of the market.

[Dan0341]

Z06, I haven't heard of any issues with their heat treated receivers. I'm not sure where this Class 3 shop got their info? The Vector is a new subgun with a one year warranty. Also, Vector is extremely good in supporting their products and customers (although, I've never needed their services). If it was me, I'd buy the Vector.

Dan

[Z06]

Thanks tommygun2000. I am new to the wonderful world of Class III, and am trying to make informed decisions when spending these large amounts of $$$. I firmly believe in the statement: "You did't pay too much, you just bought too early." That being said, I did a lot of research before getting my first MG.

At the 2001 S.A.R. gun show in Phoenix I asked Peter Kokalis which FA should I get first. I wanted an M16 and an UZI (Vector) for my basic starter collection. Kokalis said the M16s were much harder to get and going up in price faster than the UZIs and I should secure a Colt asap. He said that Vector had about a 2 year supply of the full size FAs, and not to be too concerned about getting one right away. It took 8 months to finally find my M16A1.

What I determined from this search and long wait was the importance of finding a good Class III dealer that will stand unconditionally behind his merchandise. I was originally going to buy an M16A1 from an individual in Georgia. My dealer was willing to do the transfer (involving 2 $200 tax stamp charges, as the gun was on a Form 4) but that I must be aware: when the Colt arrived, it was mine no matter what. They could not be responsible if the MG was a POS, and any and all problems would be at my expense. They, on the other hand, guarantee 100% the quality & functioning of ANY FA they sell. They only will accept for sale or consignment top quality guns.
They have an in-house gunsmith that is certified to work on all the brands of Class III firearms.
With this background of these folks that I have dealt with for a year and a half (I have bought suppressors and handguns from them as well) have told me to avoid the Vector UZI.

I do not believe these folks have a problem with Vector itself, as they have done transfers for customers who wanted Vectors. They simply told the buyers that these guns came with no guarantee from them, and any problems would have to be solved by Vector or another gunsmith. This store has in stock everything from a Browning .50 cal M-2 to several AUG spec. rec. MGs. They have rental MGs and SMGs, and in all cases the only UZIs they sell or rent are IMIs. Unlike S&W or Ruger, I don't think there in a IMI rep. calling these guys an forcing them to only carry/use their guns.

My main concern is not ending up with an UZI that could be the equivalent of the Bridgestone tires on the Ford Exploder. I want to buy the best UZI I can. That will be money well spent and worth it down the line. -Z06

• tommygun2000: I will get the whole story about the heat treating asap and post their answer.

[RoverDave]

Originally posted by Z06
I want to buy the best UZI I can.

When Small Arms Review did an article on the Vector ("The Vector Uzi: History, Evaluation and Test" September 2000), they said it was the best Uzi you can buy. That's just one opinion, but a pretty valuable opinion I'd say. They considered the heat treating to be a major plus.

[Z06]

Thank you RoverDave. As to the SAR Vector UZI article by Kokalis, that is what made me want that gun in the first place. The very thought of getting a BRAND NEW unfired SMG this late in the "game" of Class III... YESSSS! It is also part of the reason I moved to AZ!

I had personal friends in the firearms business in WA for most of the 30 years I lived there. Here in AZ I am a newbie. My only reference is how I have been treated and how well my MG has worked.

When I first got here I asked the folks at Dillon Precision to recommend an honest Class III dealer. This was the one I ended up buying from, but I did check out at least 5 others.

I guess I have some more investigation ahead of me. Again, thanks. -Z06

[JIMBO]

ZO6-

The stock of available NIB FA Vectors is quickly going away, so you should act as quickly as possible.:uzi

[tommygun2000]

You cant go wrong with a Vector. If your dealer didn't want to work on them thats ok. Having Vector Arms do the service on the gun(IF IT IS EVER NEEDED) would be the best route in any case. They made the gun, have all the machinery and knowhow to fix it and will turn it around to you quickly. This is not the case with many many gunsmiths.
You will not end up with "Bridgestones". I've not seen one Vector nightmare story yet, and theres thousands of their guns out there. Sure some had a problem feeding hollow points, so they changed the feed ramp. The gun was designed for military ball ammo not hollow points. There are many guns that won't feed hollow points reliably. Vectors do feed them after changing the feed ramp
There were some .22 kits that didn't work well but they have been remedied. Vector has been great about fixing any gun with problems, or replacing mags...quickly, from what I've heard.
Don't himm and haaw too long or the price will go up right before your eyes.