Want to buy my first Uzi

[IPro2004]

To say I am new to the world of Uzi's would be an understatement. I am pretty much a former shotgun hunter that has expanded his collection to a few pistols, an AR, and a home defense gun or two. With that being said we always want more right?

Now I would like to get an Uzi but the more I read the more I get confused. Of course there are full auto Uzi's but I am not in that price range. What would you guys suggest for a good, reliable, not too expensive to shoot gun? Also what price range would that gun fit into? I understand they come in different calibers and I seem most interested in a 9mm model unless someone can swing me another way.

Where do most of you buy such guns? Obviously gunbroker has guns, but my area in Iowa also has Big Bore Enterprises gun shows, any body get anything from there?

Most Uzi talk and prices on other sites are from 2007 to 2010 so I am stoked to get new info from the guys that know it best.

Lastly, again I am not in the full auto market but just for curiosity can a normal citizen like me own a full auto gun and if so at what price? I am not a FFL and I keep reading about 1968 and 1986. Can someone give me a summary I can understand?

Thanks for all the help! I might not respond to each post because someone said they are limited, but I will be reading them all.

 

[chipster]

It is tough to make a rock solid suggestion. Century UZI's can have issues, Vector Arms UZI's can have issues. You can DIY your own uzi with the McKay welded-up receiver, and the correct amount of surplus/us parts. Few links for more research...

https://www.classicfirearms.com/uc-9-9mm-semi-auto-w-folding-stock
http://www.kellyenterprises.net/vector-arms-uzi-guns-for-sale.html
http://store.mckay-ent.com/uzi/uzi-semi-auto-receiver-shell-84.html

I'd say start with 9mm for cheap ammo/mags. caliber changes are pretty straight forward (barrel/bolt/mags).

 

[ericzs1]

Don't waste your money on any of those knock off clones. You wold be lucky to get one that functions properly. Save up for the genuine article.

 

[sniperdoc]

Yes, under federal law, citizens may own fully auto guns, gotta jump through some hoops, gun has to be manufactured before 1986,. BUT some states do not allow it. I'm not sure about IA.
Someone here will know.
Good luck, & welcome!

 

[timo]

Don't waste your money on any of those knock off clones. You wold be lucky to get one that functions properly. Save up for the genuine article.

+1 unless you want to build your own, that wont save you any money worth speaking of if any at all.

Good Luck

 

[D-boy]

Wikipedia says no NFA for Iowa so I won't cover it in detail. But if you ever move, you fill out a 1 page two sided form and you sign a piece of paper that says you are a US citizen. If you go individual you get your Sheriff or Chief LEO to sign that it's legal where you live on the form and you get a set of fingerprints and passport photo. It's really not a big deal, you can get it done in an afternoon.

There was a ban on individual ownership of new MGs in May 1986. Individuals can only own "transferrable" machineguns that were papered on civilian forms prior to May 1986. Dealers/SOTs may own "pre-May" or "pre-86" dealer samples and "post-May" or "posties." Note that "pre-May" usually refers to the dealer samples, not the "transferrables" that you can own (outside Iowa). You can look up prices on transferrables here:

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/ (click on NFA firearms)

 

[Schnitzeraffe]

Iowa code 724.1 lists what the State of Iowa considers "offensive weapons".

The only NFA items that are not specifically mentioned in that list are AOWs.

724.2 then lists who is allowed to possess "offensive weapons".

The only non-LEO civilians that get them are FFLs that hold an SOT.

I had a type 01 FFL in Iowa and the ATF wouldn't allow me to get an SOT because "we already have enough dealers to support law enforcement's needs". :slap

And even in regards to AOWs, I talked to three different Iowa SOT holders about AOWs and they all had tried to transfer them for non-LEO customers.

They were all denied.

So the only way for you to possess them is for you to become an 07 FFL (manufacturer) and then get the SOT.

My advise... get out of Iowa dude!

I moved to Florida for the weather and the guns.

And I've never looked back.

 

[frankle951]

+1

 

[Dodger]

There are many opinions about full-sized vs. mini. IMHO, the best way to go for entry into the Uzi world is to play it safe. I suggest finding a full-size, semi-auto 9mm Israeli Military Industries (IMI) on a place like Gun Broker. I see them fairly frequently in the $2000-$3500 range. Of course, on place like Gun Broker, you'll be paying high retail price. Finding them through local gun clubs, or private sales will usually be better. Either way it takes some work and a good dose of patience. There are mostly used ones, but the occasional never fired/new from old stock pops-up. These are high quality, reliable guns that were manufactured between 1980-1983... you don't have to worry about special licenses or ATF paperwork.

 

[wanneroo]

I'm pretty happy with the Vector Uzi semi auto I have. Atlantic Firearms has most of what Vector has to offer in it's Uzi line up and shipped so fast my FFL had it 36 hours later after my order. I got mine on sale for $800 which was a great deal.

Surplus magazines are readily available from multiple vendors for $8-$12. Parts are also readily available and the gun can be changed over to 45 ACP with a barrel and bolt kit for $350(needs new magazines too).

Some people have mentioned the Vectors have issues but no one can ever point to any of the recent production as having any specific issues, it seems to be more internet generated rumor with no substance, "yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard they have issues", well what issues do they have?, "uh, uh, uh" is about what you get.

I think it's great if one can afford the $10K plus for a full auto one or $3k for a 1980's semi auto, but I can't for now and so far have been happy with what I have. It's probably the most fun of any gun I have and people I invite over to shoot love it.

The Century's are out there for $550-$700 and therefore are cheaper. I inspected one in person side by side with a Vector and thought the fit and finish was not as good as the Vector.

 

[ericzs1]

Um, I took a chance on a 9mm Vector full size model A. Sent it back to Vector twice and it still wouldn't function, even with "hot" ammo. Sold it at a loss but still under warranty. Saved up and bought a beautiful IMI full size model A. Functions flawlessly with any ammo I have tried. Actually got tired of looking for ammo it wouldn't eat up. I'm very happ now thanks. You will however pay a lot more for a real deal Uzi, but you will have the genuine article. Bottom line is knock offs are knock offs. I learned my lesson the hard way.

 

[chipster]

I have a NoDak receiver and it was a very good run. This guy is overpriced, but maybe keep an eye out and see if they'll lower?

http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13216222/

 

[Glockdude1]

http://dealernfa.com/shop/imi-uzi-registered-receiver-sa48994/

:surfing

 

[ruskiegunlover]

Another RECENT and happy vecter owner here. Picked mine up on my birthday, december 23rd, last month. First time out had a few fails to feed, but was shooting aluminum cased ammo. Last time out......200 rds flawless brassed cased federal and czech. Awesome gun, very happy. To save 600-1000 bucks, I'd try a vecter any day over an IMI. I know, its israeli, but I simply cannot justify it. Not with vecters. Even if your vecter had issues, thats why they have a warrenty. Send it back until it works right. Spend the savings on ammo and mags.

Or, if it floats your boat, buy an IMI. Just too big of a cost difference to me.

 

[ericzs1]

Another RECENT and happy vecter owner here. Picked mine up on my birthday, december 23rd, last month. First time out had a few fails to feed, but was shooting aluminum cased ammo. Last time out......200 rds flawless brassed cased federal and czech. Awesome gun, very happy. To save 600-1000 bucks, I'd try a vecter any day over an IMI. I know, its israeli, but I simply cannot justify it. Not with vecters. Even if your vecter had issues, thats why they have a warrenty. Send it back until it works right. Spend the savings on ammo and mags.

Or, if it floats your boat, buy an IMI. Just too big of a cost difference to me.

I'm glad to hear that your carbine is functioning to your satisfaction. I hope that perhaps Vector has got it figured out. As you point out, it's true there are substantial savings to be had and no doubt they are pretty cool. But looking back, I cant quite bring myself to say that I wish I had better luck with mine. Afterall, if it had functioned properly I probably wouldnt have my highly treasured IMI now. Stupidly, I sold a pristine model B around twenty years ago and I have always regretted it. I put the money into hotrodding a motorcyle. I still have the bike but now it is not worth squat, whata drag. Anyhow I will never part with my model A.

Happy shootin!!

 

[serendipitist]

Like ericzs1, I also stupidly sold a pristine, beautiful IMI Model B about 20 years ago, and I also always regretted it. I sold an Uzi pistol back then, too, equally stupidly. Well, I put the money into paying bills and making ends meet. But that was a long time ago, so when I saw a Walther/IWI Uzi .22 at a gun show, I bought it on impulse. It just wasn't the same, but I figured that's what I get for being stupid and those days would just never come again. The next year, same gun show, I bought a Century UC-9, also on impulse. Nope, that still didn't seem right, and I'm still fiddling with it. Finally I did some research (duh!) and learned I could buy guns online. (Wow!) Personally, I decided that instead of trying to go the least expensive route, I would just buy the gun I really wanted. So, once again, I have a beautiful IMI Model B that is even better than the one I had all those years ago. The fit, the finish, the smoothness of the action, is all greatly superior to the Century. To be honest, she's a real beauty and I'm in love with her. I'm happy I took the plunge. Oh, and the pistol? This year, I plan to replace that loss with a new Uzi Pro!

 

[ericzs1]

Hey serendipitist, man I feel your pain and your joy! You are precisely correct about the fit, finish and the smoothness of operation with a real deal Uzi, even the sound of racking the bolt is not the same. (I really wonder why that is?) While the clones look very similar they just don't quite stack up. I must admit that it kinda bugs me that they are even called Uzis, I mean unless they are being built under license. As an example, I have a really awesome PTR 32 PDW that I SBR'ed, (also runs flawlessly) I think that they are actually built with original HK tooling but I would never call it an HK because it's not one, its a knock off A totally cool Knock off! By the way congratulations on your Uzi Pro!!

 

[pdog]

Stay with original IMI. They simply work w/o problems. You can find good ones on GunBroker still under $2000. In my own opinion, the guy that has numerous ones listed with the red back ground must be nuts as his prices show, $2500-$3500.

 

[ole442]

I have been thinking about the UZI from another UT member but I don't need to have another one so I talked myself out of it:

http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?77582-FS-Action-Arms-IMI-Model-A

Looks like a good deal to me but he may put it on GB soon. I have bought parts from Johnny with good results in the past.

OLE442

 

[ole442]

ones listed with the red back ground must be nuts as his prices show, $2500-$3500

Yeah, but they're authentic.