Newbie question about M-16 uppers - Page 3

SNAKEBYTE · 08-11-2007, 09:50 PM

Anyone know where to fing a cheap bolt and carrier? It's gonna be my first build, and am looking for cheap. Thanks, Jeff

Dirty Harry · 08-12-2007, 12:53 AM

Search the net, here's a few links to get you started:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

IMO, Find a local gunshow. You stand a good chance to get a good deal!

3/325 · 08-31-2007, 10:04 PM

Using an M16 upper would go a long way to creating a "readably convertable" firearm. It might get you in trouble.

3/325 · 08-31-2007, 10:27 PM

All but one of the M16 FA parts will fit in an AR. The auto sear is the only part that will not fit. In order to make it fit you have to do 2 modifications, 1 to the upper and 1 to the lower. On the lower you need to drill a hole and on the upper you need to cut a slot. If you do these two mods then you have an M16. Using an M16 upper will take you halfway.

**Coils** · 09-01-2007, 12:45 AM

Go back and read post #17. The ATF doesn't class the upper receiver of and M16 as a FA part, even if it is different then one for an AR15. So yes a M16 upper can be used on an AR.
The parts listed in this quote, per ATF regs, are the ones to stay away from.

Quote:

An example of a firearm meeting this section of the definition is a semiautomatic AR15 rifle possessed with an M16 bolt carrier, hammer, trigger, disconnector and selector. If the semiautomatic AR15 is assembled with the described M16 parts and the rifle is capable of fully automatic fire, the weapon possessed in conjunction with the M16 parts, whether assembled or not, is a machinegun as defined.17

I know it say "capable of fully automatic fire", even if it can't, in the eyes of the ATF just having these parts and an AR your attempting to build a machinegun.

3/325 · 09-01-2007, 01:00 AM

It doesn't mention anything about drilling a hole in the lower for auto sear either but that will land you in prison even quicker.

3/325 · 09-01-2007, 01:09 AM

A reciever is not classed as a "part". If you modify an M16 upper to fit an AR15 lower, even if you don't put any of the forementioned parts in it you have still gone halfway to making an M16 receiver which is a machinegun with or without the trigger group and bolt carrier.

3/325 · 09-01-2007, 01:14 AM

If I were snakebyte I'd ask an the ATF. Guys on the internet (myself included) are often a good source for "how too" but when it comes to laws & regs are a very poor source.

Don't get me wrong.... Gunco is a great forum and there's a lot of knowledgable people here like Coils but when it comes to regs... get it from the horses mouth, not the internet.

Dirty Harry · 09-01-2007, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/325

A reciever is not classed as a "part". If you modify an M16 upper to fit an AR15 lower, even if you don't put any of the forementioned parts in it you have still gone halfway to making an M16 receiver which is a machinegun with or without the trigger group and bolt carrier.

How would you modify an M16 upper to fit an AR lower???

As far as contacting the BATFE..... Sniper69 gave a direct link to the ATF for clarification. This issue has been well debated and documented here and on other sites. A lot of Vets and enthusiasts are building AR's that are as close to a replica of an M16 from the Vietnam era as legally possible. This includes using M16 uppers!

3/325 · 09-01-2007, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirty Harry

How would you modify an M16 upper to fit an AR lower??? A lot of Vets and enthusiasts are building AR's that are as close to a replica of an M16 from the Vietnam era as legally possible. This includes using M16 uppers!

Not sure what you are trying to say? It would appear as if you just contradicted yourself though. The 1st line you are saying it can't be done??? The last line you mention enthusiasts who are doing it??

I never said "it is illiegal don't do it" I said it goes quite aways towards making a "readably convertable weapon". The link does not address modifications to the receiver... only that M16 parts in your AR15 is not legal.

The link states: An example of a firearm meeting this section of the definition is a semiautomatic AR15 rifle possessed with an M16 bolt carrier, hammer, trigger, disconnector and selector. If the semiautomatic AR15 is assembled with the described M16 parts and the rifle is capable of fully automatic fire, the weapon possessed in conjunction with the M16 parts, whether assembled or not, is a machinegun as defined.17

I'm not disputing this. I'm saying this is not fully cover the issue. It does not mention modifications to a receiver at all. So if the link was the only way to be in violation of the law then I can drill the hole for an auto sear but as long as I don't have an auto sear that is OK!! I don't know whether you can you use an M16 upper for an AR build but I do know that anything you do to an AR lower to make it accept an Auto Sear turns the receiver from an AR to an M16. Modifying it to fit an M16 upper would do this.