Full auto build, legal?

Tucker 1371 · July 31, 2009, 01:40 PM

I was just browsing gunbroker today when I found a full auto lower receiver to a Sig 551 and it got me thinking. Would it be legal to buy the full auto lower and then finish the gun with parts from compatible semi autos?

I don't know and seriously doubt that The Sig 551 lower and 556 upper are compatible but if they were would this be legal? Don't full auto lowers or trigger groups have to go through the same processes as complete full autos?

ISC · July 31, 2009, 01:49 PM

That hasn't been legal since 1986, and even then you had to pay a $200 tax to do it.

Tucker 1371 · July 31, 2009, 01:59 PM

So why is some guy on gunbroker selling a full auto lower receiver on gunbroker? Better yet why would anyone buy it?

hoytinak · July 31, 2009, 02:03 PM

It could be an already registered transferable full-auto lower, made before 1986....that is legal (in the free states anyways) but it's gonna cost some coin.

gun nut · July 31, 2009, 02:07 PM

Depending what part is registered with nfa could be used for repair with another registered gun. I'm not familiar with the gun your referring. Some have a registered sear, others maybe a registered receiver, some have a registered bolt, those are just some examples that come to mind. Hope that helps.

hoytinak · July 31, 2009, 02:09 PM

Got a link to it?...might help us out.

wjkuleck · July 31, 2009, 03:37 PM

I believe that the SIG 551 lower is not the firearm; the serialled upper is*. Thus, I believe (I am not a lawyer!) that possessing a full-auto SIG lower is legal. However, if you also own a semi SIG 556 at the same time, you are in possession of a contraband machine gun, even if you never mate your SIG's upper with that lower—or, even that it would be possible to do so without some work. The BATFE can be very creative in these situations.

Best not to play with fire.

Regards,

Walt
*The inverse of the AR-type rifles, where the lower is the firearm.

Crosshair · July 31, 2009, 03:40 PM

I searched gunbroker and found a couple of the auctions. I think that this is the one you are probably looking at.

Sig 551 full auto lower receiver 556 550 552

The sparse description and starting bid of only $1,300 is sending up more red flags than a Soviet May Day parade.

A legitimate full-auto lower receiver like that would probably have a starting bid of AT LEAST $10,000 and would already have several bids.

Tucker 1371 · July 31, 2009, 04:40 PM

Sorry here's the link to the one I was talking about

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=135720655

and this one has me scratching my head too

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=135470279

Willie Lowman · July 31, 2009, 05:01 PM

The words "Post 86 sample" don't mean anything to you guys?

The second one that GSU posted is clearly torch cut. It is a parts kit.

Making a machinegun is still illegal.

Boone Hillbilly · August 1, 2009, 02:44 PM

Something for 02 SOT's to play with basically and then sale as a dealer sample or give demos

David Hineline · August 1, 2009, 07:56 PM

Fireworks are illegal, dynamite is illegal, yet every day people goto fireworks shows, and watch buildings destroyed with explosives.

Just because you don't have the permits for something does not mean other people don't.

LukeA · August 1, 2009, 09:00 PM

Cut the OP some slack. He was just going with the odds. We've all seen some dumb things on GB, so dumb & illegal isn't that far a stretch, especially when it comes to MG parts.

July 31, 2009, 01:40 PM	#1
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	Full auto build, legal? I was just browsing gunbroker today when I found a full auto lower receiver to a Sig 551 and it got me thinking. Would it be legal to buy the full auto lower and then finish the gun with parts from compatible semi autos? I don't know and seriously doubt that The Sig 551 lower and 556 upper are compatible but if they were would this be legal? Don't full auto lowers or trigger groups have to go through the same processes as complete full autos? __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

July 31, 2009, 01:59 PM	#3
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	So why is some guy on gunbroker selling a full auto lower receiver on gunbroker? Better yet why would anyone buy it? __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

July 31, 2009, 02:07 PM	#5
gun nut Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2009 Location: midwest Posts: 303	Depending what part is registered with nfa could be used for repair with another registered gun. I'm not familiar with the gun your referring. Some have a registered sear, others maybe a registered receiver, some have a registered bolt, those are just some examples that come to mind. Hope that helps. __________________ The only stupid question is the one not asked! (Unknown)

July 31, 2009, 03:37 PM	#7
wjkuleck Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2007 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 1,220	I believe that the SIG 551 lower is not the firearm; the serialled upper is. Thus, I believe (I am not a lawyer!) that possessing a full-auto SIG lower is legal. However, if you also* own a semi SIG 556 at the same time, you are in possession of a contraband machine gun, even if you never mate your SIG's upper with that lower—or, even that it would be possible to do so without some work. The BATFE can be very creative in these situations. Best not to play with fire. Regards, Walt The inverse of the AR-type rifles, where the lower is the firearm. __________________ Author, NEW! The M1911 Complete Owner's Guide The M14 and M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guides The M1 Garand Complete Assembly Guide The AR-15 Complete Assembly and (New 4th Edition) Owner's Guides*

July 31, 2009, 03:40 PM	#8
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I searched gunbroker and found a couple of the auctions. I think that this is the one you are probably looking at. Sig 551 full auto lower receiver 556 550 552 The sparse description and starting bid of only $1,300 is sending up more red flags than a Soviet May Day parade. A legitimate full-auto lower receiver like that would probably have a starting bid of AT LEAST $10,000 and would already have several bids. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

July 31, 2009, 01:49 PM	#2
ISC Junior member Join Date: August 5, 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,982	That hasn't been legal since 1986, and even then you had to pay a $200 tax to do it.

July 31, 2009, 02:03 PM	#4
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	It could be an already registered transferable full-auto lower, made before 1986....that is legal (in the free states anyways) but it's gonna cost some coin.

July 31, 2009, 02:09 PM	#6
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	Got a link to it?...might help us out.

July 31, 2009, 04:40 PM	#9
Tucker 1371 Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: East TN Posts: 2,649	Sorry here's the link to the one I was talking about http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=135720655 and this one has me scratching my head too http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=135470279 __________________ Sgt. of Marines, 5th Award Expert Rifle, 237/250 Expert Pistol, 382/400. D Co, 4th CEB, Engineers UP!! If you start a thread, be active in it. Don't leave us hanging. OEF 2011 Sangin, Afg. Molon Labe

July 31, 2009, 05:01 PM	#10
Willie Lowman Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: Uh-Hi-O Posts: 3,006	The words "Post 86 sample" don't mean anything to you guys? The second one that GSU posted is clearly torch cut. It is a parts kit. Making a machinegun is still illegal. __________________ "9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

August 1, 2009, 02:44 PM	#11
Boone Hillbilly Senior Member Join Date: March 4, 2007 Posts: 123	Something for 02 SOT's to play with basically and then sale as a dealer sample or give demos __________________ God Bless!!

August 1, 2009, 07:56 PM	#12
David Hineline Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 1999 Location: South Sioux City, Nebraska Posts: 704	Fireworks are illegal, dynamite is illegal, yet every day people goto fireworks shows, and watch buildings destroyed with explosives. Just because you don't have the permits for something does not mean other people don't.

August 1, 2009, 09:00 PM	#13
LukeA Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2009 Posts: 542	Cut the OP some slack. He was just going with the odds. We've all seen some dumb things on GB, so dumb & illegal isn't that far a stretch, especially when it comes to MG parts.