Oh Krap moments in gunsmithing...

[toolman]

'I've only been 'smithing for a living for a few months now and started the business with an eye towards what I thought would be mostly repairs, scope mounting, etc.

Anyway, one of my first jobs was an AR build using an old M-16 parts kit, which turned into a PITA (and is WAY more expensive than a scratch-built gun). When I had it pretty well finished,I was going to toss the box, so I turned it upside down and whacked it on the bench (old habit) and the original, un numbered, un registered, and un licensed auto sear fell out of the box! I looked it up on the ATF website and the main thing that I remember was the phrase "up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine". Luckily, it will not fit into the receiver that I built the gun on!

Fast forward about a month, and I'm at the local gun range that I do work for and they ask if I can rebarrel a Thompson. I said sure, grabbed the case and left. When I got to the shop, I opened the case to find a brand new Auto Ordnance/Thompson 1927 A-1 Tommy-gun replica and an extra 10" barrel. I had a lot of stuff going on at the time and didn't think much about it, but I decided to wreck the barrel off of it and install the other one later. Luckily, I couldn't get the barrel off with the tools I've got (FWIW, I'm no longer a fan of Wheeler barrel vises, even though that's probably what saved my butt), because I probably would've gone ahead and installed the short barrel in direct violation of the 1934 NFA...I didn't even think about it until I was sitting here tonight after being crippled up all day, so I called my ATF investigator and she "re-aligned" me on the proper procedures regarding these situations.

So, do any of you guys have any similar stories or am I the only lucky one around here?:rofl:

 

[Bradrock]

Maybe the Thompson owner has the stamp? It would be rude of him to ask you to do something illegal.
And yes, Thompson barrel threads are a stinker. I don't know if these replicas are the same as the real thing though.

The M16 sear is no problem as long as you don't have a full auto receiver. There is always a bunch on Gunbroker.
All of the AK47 parts kits come with the full auto parts.
Just don't drill that evil extra hole in the receiver & all is well.:nono:

 

[toolman]

Maybe the Thompson owner has the stamp? It would be rude of him to ask you to do something illegal.
And yes, Thompson barrel threads are a stinker. I don't know if these replicas are the same as the real thing though.

The M16 sear is no problem as long as you don't have a full auto receiver. There is always a bunch on Gunbroker.
All of the AK47 parts kits come with the full auto parts.
Just don't drill that evil extra hole in the receiver & all is well.:nono:

The guy buying the gun didn't ask about it, it's the gunstore that is selling it to him who asked me to do it, but they told me that he was permitted, so it's OK-ATF says otherwise.

As far as the sear, ATF says that ownership or possession is fine as long as it's not possessed in conjunction with a receiver that it will fit into. They told me to hang onto the sear and they will come get it.

Neither situation is serious, as I got it straightened out before doing anything stupid, I was just making a point about how easy it is to get in trouble if you aren't careful. Luckily, my ATF agent is very helpful about answering questions.

 

[AR1911]

It's a real shame that the Feds have created this sort of trap for honest citizens

 

[Defens]

The guy buying the gun didn't ask about it, it's the gunstore that is selling it to him who asked me to do it, but they told me that he was permitted, so it's OK-ATF says otherwise.

The customer may have his paperwork in order for an SBR, but that doesn't mean that you can put the short barrel on it unless you're properly licensed as an SOT. And, in fact, the gunstore also needs the proper licenses. It would be worth your while to politely inquire with the gun shop whether they are a Class II dealer. Honestly, they shouldn't be making requests like this - sounds like they don't know what they are doing.

 

[Millbo]

Just don't drill that evil extra hole in the receiver & all is well.:nono:

Ok I'll admit to being ignorant on smithing, what's this evil extra hole?

 

[toolman]

Ok I'll admit to being ignorant on smithing, what's this evil extra hole?

Not really a hole as much as a cutout for the auto sear to set in. The sear is the little black piece with the numbers on it. As you can see, it sits in a cutout in the lower receiver which semi-auto receivers don't have. FWIW, modifying a semi-auto lower and installing an unregistered sear will get you a huge (up to $250K) fine and up to 10 yrs. in the graybar hotel...


http://i32.tinypic.com/9u0p69.jpg

 

[Old Iron]

And there is one more thing that goes along with it, The owner had to be there and stay till it is finished.

Paul

 

[bptactical]

And there is one more thing that goes along with it, The owner had to be there and stay till it is finished.

Paul

This is incorrect.
A Smith does not have to be a SOT to repair/ modify NFA items and the owner does not have to remain present.
If the customer is within the same state as the Smith, a signed copy of the Form 1 AND a signed document from the owner stating that the item is in the Smiths possession for gunsmithing purposes only is sufficient. If the item is coming in from out of state an approved Form 5, Temporary Transfer must be conducted.
In this situation the owner is actually the "Manufacturer" and the Smith is performing work under contract to the "Manufacturer".
Now if you are Manufacturing NFA items for resale then yes, you must be a SOT.

I would have destroyed the auto sear on the spot.

 

[Old Iron]

This is incorrect.
A Smith does not have to be a SOT to repair/ modify NFA items and the owner does not have to remain present.
If the customer is within the same state as the Smith, a signed copy of the Form 1 AND a signed document from the owner stating that the item is in the Smiths possession for gunsmithing purposes only is sufficient. If the item is coming in from out of state an approved Form 5, Temporary Transfer must be conducted.
In this situation the owner is actually the "Manufacturer" and the Smith is performing work under contract to the "Manufacturer".
Now if you are Manufacturing NFA items for resale then yes, you must be a SOT.

I would have destroyed the auto sear on the spot.

Well I was going by what I was told by a gun smith that teaches at AGI, So I guess were all ignorant

Paul

This will be my last post here I'm getting a little tried of be told how dumb I am!!
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