A few questions. - Page 2

czc3513 · November 28, 2005, 01:15 AM

Title 1 guns???
Am I the only one that thinks that this is a cool idea?

Quote:

I like the idea of an unmarked SS 1911 with a short unique SN like "1".

Dave Haven · November 28, 2005, 04:23 PM

I think it would be cool.

To answer some of your previous questions..

BTDT= Been there, done that. I was referring to having used someone else's machine shop to build a firearm. I work in a machine shop.

G-job or "Government job" is machine shop slang for a personal project done on your own time using the company's machines.

A custom 1911 would not have to be registered with BATFE, since it's not regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934.

On a non-NFA firearm that you build for yourself, I believe BATFE recommends that you serial number it, but doesn't require it unless you decide to sell it at a later date. I may be FOS on that point.

As has been stated, you can use whatever serial number you want.

czc3513 · November 28, 2005, 06:42 PM

Dave,
So have you made a complete handgun from scratch?
What have you made?

Dave Haven · November 28, 2005, 09:34 PM

No, not a handgun.
I made this Haven Mark II .50 BMG bolt action rifle from scratch.
OK, I bought the rifled barrel blank, the scope, the scope rings, the springs, the trigger, and the recoil pad.

I made the action, stock, and muzzle brake from scratch.
It's sort of a "Weatherby Mark V on steroids".

These pictures show it and its bolt next to my SAKO .338 WinMag (and its bolt) for comparison.
The pictures are not reversed; I'm left-handed.

Dave Haven · November 28, 2005, 09:59 PM

To keep this thread on-topic in the "Full Auto" forum.....
The first gun I built is my Haven Mark I left-handed submachine gun based roughly on the STEN/AUSTEN design.
I used a STEN magazine housing and STEN magazines and AUSTEN grips.
Yes, it's legal. (Form 1 Approved 30 Dec., 1981)
Subs are cool.

Dave Haven · November 28, 2005, 10:11 PM

I also built an MG-34 receiver from scratch in 1983.
That was a serious challenge with just a parts kit from Armex, a few photos from books, and NO drawings.
Belt-feds rule!

fanoblack · November 28, 2005, 11:32 PM

I want to be your friend. Nice mg.

fanoblack

Dave Haven · November 29, 2005, 11:28 PM

I appreciate the compliment, my friend.

shaggy · November 30, 2005, 08:23 AM

Very nice work, Dave. But of all the things to build from a torched kit, you picked an MG34? And without plans or blueprints? A "serious challenge" (to use your words) is a serious understatement - there's a lot of rewelded '34s out there that can't run for crap.

Dave Haven · November 30, 2005, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Very nice work, Dave. But of all the things to build from a torched kit, you picked an MG34? And without plans or blueprints? A "serious challenge" (to use your words) is a serious understatement - there's a lot of rewelded '34s out there that can't run for crap.

Thanks!
Why an MG34? WHY NOT?! I thought it was COOL. (And after watching Star Wars a few times....

)
My '34 was NOT made from a "torched" kit. I machined the receiver from a 50-something-pound billet of 4340 without ever seeing an original receiver (or parts of one) with my own eyes. I machined the unlocking cams into the front of the receiver without knowing that the originals were made separately and riveted into the receiver. That would've made it a lot easier.

Just to brag a little... it runs flawlessly. It's a kick in the @$$ to shoot! The only malfunctions are occasional misfires. I attribute that to the Portugese ammo, which seems to have marginally sensitive primers.
It was a fun project.

shaggy · December 1, 2005, 12:04 AM

Dave - I almost bought a rewelded '34 years ago from a guy in CA who bought it from Tim LaFrance(who did the reweld), but after hearing numerous horror stories about improperly rewelded '34s that didn't run, I decided to pass on it. From all I've heard its one hell of a job to properly reweld a cut '34 receiver. Building one from scratch probably helped get around some of the problems of getting the pieces aligned and welded back up, but I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to build one without even pieces to look at to help figure out how it should have been done or even where to start. VERY impressive...

Casp_A · December 1, 2005, 12:46 AM

I second that notion. You, sir, are a talented individual. Dave Haven for TFL Gunnut Hall of Fame!!!

Dave Haven · December 1, 2005, 09:30 PM

Thanks, guys!

I'm rather proud of my .50 action, too. Even if it isn't a machine gun.
I sincerely appreciate the compliments.

fal308 · December 2, 2005, 08:29 AM

Very nice Dave! Being a lefty myself I can really appreciate these designs.

czc3513 · December 2, 2005, 06:37 PM

Thats pretty cool.
The smg looks pretty crazy being backwards.
How much did it cost you to make it and how is it legal?
Did you make it in 1981?

But I would love to have that MG34!

Quote:

I machined the receiver from a 50-something-pound billet of 4340

Quote:

I machined the unlocking cams into the front of the receiver without knowing that the originals were made separately and riveted into the receiver.

Sounds solid.

Dave Haven · December 2, 2005, 10:03 PM

Quote:

The smg looks pretty crazy being backwards.

It's not backwards. YOU are.

Same goes for the .50.

Quote:

How much did it cost you to make it...

Less than $100 for materials + $200 registration tax paid w/Form 1. And many hours of my machining time...

Quote:

... and how is it legal?

$200 registration tax paid w/Form 1. (Application to make and register a firearm) Form 1 was approved. Same for the '34. None of this would have been legal without ATF approving my applications. However, as of 19 May, 1986, Form 1 will not be approved for individuals applying to make a machine gun.

Quote:

Did you make it in 1981?

No. I made it in 1982 after I received the approved Form 1 (and $200 tax stamp, which is pretty cool) back from ATF. It was pretty much finished by May, '82.

Quote:

But I would love to have that MG34!

$2M and it's all yours!

(Then I can retire and buy an ORIGINAL MG34.)

Dave Haven · December 2, 2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Very nice Dave! Being a lefty myself I can really appreciate these designs.

Thank you, sir.

Someone once asked me why I made the .50 left-handed.
I said, "It's my parents' fault."
He said,"Really?"
I said, "YEAH! They didn't force me to be right-handed!"

CTC01 · December 3, 2005, 07:12 PM

Dave

I'm new to this board and just had to checkout a section called "Full Auto".

All I can say is WOW. You are obviously a VERY skilled craftsman.

VERY FINE WORK SIR !!!

Dave Haven · December 3, 2005, 10:45 PM

Thank you!
I just noticed that you joined TFL on my birthday.

A belated "WELCOME ABOARD!" to you.

November 28, 2005, 04:23 PM	#27
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	I think it would be cool. To answer some of your previous questions.. BTDT= Been there, done that. I was referring to having used someone else's machine shop to build a firearm. I work in a machine shop. G-job or "Government job" is machine shop slang for a personal project done on your own time using the company's machines. A custom 1911 would not have to be registered with BATFE, since it's not regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934. On a non-NFA firearm that you build for yourself, I believe BATFE recommends that you serial number it, but doesn't require it unless you decide to sell it at a later date. I may be FOS on that point. As has been stated, you can use whatever serial number you want. __________________ NRA Endowment Member FCSA Life Member Subs are cool, but belt-feds RULE!

November 28, 2005, 06:42 PM	#28
czc3513 Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: Oregon. Posts: 709	Dave, So have you made a complete handgun from scratch? What have you made? __________________ "HEDP: High Explosive Donkey Punch"

November 28, 2005, 11:32 PM	#32
fanoblack Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 449	I want to be your friend. Nice mg. fanoblack __________________ I know eight languages, unfortunately only one is spoken by humans.

December 1, 2005, 12:46 AM	#37
Casp_A Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2004 Posts: 495	I second that notion. You, sir, are a talented individual. Dave Haven for TFL Gunnut Hall of Fame!!! __________________ Johnny was a chemist's son, but Johnny is no more. What Johnny thought was H2O was H2SO4.

December 3, 2005, 10:45 PM	#44
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	Thank you! I just noticed that you joined TFL on my birthday. A belated "WELCOME ABOARD!" to you. Last edited by Dave Haven; December 4, 2005 at 08:30 AM.

November 29, 2005, 11:28 PM	#33
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	I appreciate the compliment, my friend.

November 30, 2005, 08:23 AM	#34
shaggy Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 1,519	Very nice work, Dave. But of all the things to build from a torched kit, you picked an MG34? And without plans or blueprints? A "serious challenge" (to use your words) is a serious understatement - there's a lot of rewelded '34s out there that can't run for crap.

December 1, 2005, 12:04 AM	#36
shaggy Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Posts: 1,519	Dave - I almost bought a rewelded '34 years ago from a guy in CA who bought it from Tim LaFrance(who did the reweld), but after hearing numerous horror stories about improperly rewelded '34s that didn't run, I decided to pass on it. From all I've heard its one hell of a job to properly reweld a cut '34 receiver. Building one from scratch probably helped get around some of the problems of getting the pieces aligned and welded back up, but I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to build one without even pieces to look at to help figure out how it should have been done or even where to start. VERY impressive...

December 1, 2005, 09:30 PM	#38
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	Thanks, guys! I'm rather proud of my .50 action, too. Even if it isn't a machine gun. I sincerely appreciate the compliments.

December 2, 2005, 08:29 AM	#39
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	Very nice Dave! Being a lefty myself I can really appreciate these designs.

December 3, 2005, 07:12 PM	#43
CTC01 Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: IN Posts: 36	Dave I'm new to this board and just had to checkout a section called "Full Auto". All I can say is WOW. You are obviously a VERY skilled craftsman. VERY FINE WORK SIR !!!