Is the Fire control group considered the FA

Got in a discussion with a friend, He's usually right, but I thought I'd ask here. His contention is that the only thing the feds consider the FA is the fire control group and since the reciever is only the "carriage" the FCG sits in it doesn't matter what the reciever is as long as the FCG is licensed. My only responce is that the reciever is the part with the serial number not the FCG. His contention is then to build numerous designs and calibers that could accept the legal FCG and they would be legal. With that in mind you could take a FCG and make a 45 acp or a 9 mm or for that matter something in 308 and pretty well round out your collection with one FCG.
Something just don't seem kosher...

the only place that I know that consider any select fire trigger group as a machinegun, is washington state.......and then there is fed position that any part of a M16 FCG is considered a MG.......but I have not read anything about AK trigger parts, just M16 trigger parts

Some guns, notably the HK G3/Mp5/etc. and the M1/M2 carbine, use essentially the same receiver for the full auto and semi auto versions. The HK has a different attachment method for the lower grip/fcg assembly but the FA lower is easily modified to attach to a semi receiver. The M2 uses a different trigger assembly that interchanges with the semi simply by field stripping and reassembling with the FA trigger housing and parts. The AR15 has a "drop in auto sear" which fits in an unmodified semi auto receiver.

These are essentially devices or parts designed to convert a semi automatic into a machine gun, "conversion devices" are regulated and registered exactly the same as an actual MG even though they are incapable of firing ammunition without a "host gun" attached.

Many HKs were converted back in the day with an aftermarket autosear as the factory FA parts were unobtainable. The sear itself is the registered and taxed part. Many people own one "sear pack" and swap it amongst many HK host guns.

So yes, it is possible to own one registered and legal FA FCG and use it in many firearms.

That said, if the firearm receiver has any of the full auto features the receiver itself is considered an MG, regardless of what is installed in it. You cannot drill an AK for an autosear, for example.

I think your friends reffering to registered sears like HKs. The receivers the machine gun in majority of cases, since they mist be altered to accept the FA parts, exception beingthe HK sears that are designed to convert a semi gun, all pre 89 stuff, or like registered lightening links or DIAS's.

Opps, Kernal beat me to it.

What's the deal with the drop in auto sears? Years ago (1980s) you could buy one, no big deal. Then I heard they mad them taboo. Today I see them advertized in the Shotgun News. Is this a sting operation? Are DIASs legal or illegal? I have no interest in buying one, I just want to know the scoop.

it's a trap.

DIAS VERY much a NFA item, sure they can be advertised in SGN they are transferable ya will have to jump through the hoops and pay the taxes..... 1986 is when the ban on further production of anything NFA was halted and as has already been covered the receiver is deffinetly NFA if it requires machining operations to be FA, FCG or bolt parts can also be included it veries from gun to gun depending on what is needed to make it fire more than 1 shot per trigger pull


now lets see does this thread belong in LEGAL or does it belong in FULLAUTO?


I voted for legal...... sorry AKJim I guess your ballot was smudged so got ignored so was Lextechs, motorhead and 16R40s and since KK and Ian voted with me... here ya are ;)

Good call, I think it is better here.

Thanks Dstorm for illuminating that little bugaboo. I kinda thought as much, but now I know.

I think motorhead called it right too, the ad is a trap.

Thanks Stormy....at least it didn't end up in the trash or the basement..........heaven forbid
Really interesting conversation. I sat there fuming over the fact that if my coveted M1 Thompson (someday someday) was only a machine gun if the FCG was inserted, why would any capitalist ever cut the middle out of an orginal recievers and ruin an easy dummy gun for display sale or conversion to semi.
Thanks guys very interesting stuff.
Now a real stupid question. Is it true that the ATF would run a phoney sting ad in Shot Gun news? Kinda scary when you think that someone like me that has 30 years with hunting firearms may stumble into a trap when they start down this Mil surp collecting road with no legal background.

What's the deal with the drop in auto sears? Years ago (1980s) you could buy one, no big deal. Then I heard they mad them taboo. Today I see them advertized in the Shotgun News. Is this a sting operation? Are DIASs legal or illegal? I have no interest in buying one, I just want to know the scoop.


When delivered they come with thier own bonus, a BATFE Agent who will not so gently inform you that you are now in possession of an unregistered Machinegun. You'll reply, "But YOU said it was pre-November 1981!"
He'll smile and say, "Prove it!"

wow.....thanks etek..... FO REAL???

wow.....thanks etek..... FO REAL???


Dead serious. It's called an idiot trap. BATFE agents love it.