I’ve read here and there that using an auto BC has some benefit due to the additional mass and it seems that folks recommend the BCM BCG as the bolt is MPI’ed, the carrier and key is chromed where it needs to be, etc.
I have a shopping cart filled with some goodies from Bravo Co. and among them is the BCM BCG, however reading though the Bushmaster catalog (I was bored) I came across the following;
“The position of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) is that if your AR15 type rifle contains even one M16 component, it is a Machine Gun.”
First of all, Hi Folks! First post over at this forum and I hope I can bring some insight and laughs here as well. This topic is the start of many long discussions on many websites. While reading and understanding what you are saying, the ATF also acknowledges that many US companies use full auto carriers in their new rifles and doesn’t have a problem with it. If they did, Bushmaster and LMT to name a few would be in deep #@$%. It only becomes a problem with the ATF when the gun malfunctions and goes full auto with selected FA parts and now you are in possession of serious contraband. I have a full auto bolt carrier (enhanced) in my LMT namely because it’s a SBR (14.5"). Does the added mass of a FA bolt carrier make a difference, couldn’t tell you but it makes me feel better.
i purchased a lmt back up bcg in semi, they were out of the full auto. i’m by far an expert but the only thing i’ve noticed is with the full auto bcg the casings are slung behind me, with semi they go 90 deg. full auto is colt btw and i dont recall which extractor set ups they have. pretty sure the lmt is the black plug with the o ring, not sure about the colt.
The short answer is that no, having a full-auto carrier does not make your semi-auto AR15 a machine gun, nor does it violate any laws.
With that said, I’d recommend going with a full-auto carrier for the reasons you previously mentioned. Whether or not you want to go the “enhanced” route is up to you. Most say that it makes no difference, but I can’t say from personal experience.
hold on there friend, there are SOME STATES that still have that law on the books, so please do not make such a broad statement, someone in a “ban” state may take that as the correct answer, thus violating the law unknowingly !
I was unaware that it was on the books anywhere. TOS treats it as an urban myth. Not that I don’t believe you, but do you have any links? It’d be interesting to read.
If it is indeed “illegal” in some states it surprises me that manufacturers would knowingly offer it without a disclaimer. There are several manufacturers that use the full-auto carrier exclusively.
Exactly which laws are you referring to? IIRC, this has been clarified before and there was a letter from BATFE whcih stated that it is not expressly prohibited as long as the weapon does not fire more than 1 shot every time the trigger is pulled.
E-mail me for a copy of the official memo regarding the ATFs position on the legality of Full Auto BCGs. Basically it states that as long as a part does not cause a weapon to fire full auto it is legal even if the part is intended for a machinegun.
I agree with you to a point, but with NFA violations resulting in federal prison time I can understand if folks are concerned about putting a part labeled “full auto BCG” into their weapons. It should be called mil-spec BCG or something innocuous like that.
I agree completely. But there’s folks that will fight to the death to convince someone that a standard carrier is a bad idea.
Shit! That idiot in Wisconcin had a complete A2 burst kit in his gun, and he almost walked… until they finally got it to fire a few rounds with a single pull.
I’ve got a copy of the BATFE letter to Colt Defense from 2005. I think it’s the same letter that Stephen referenced. If not, and if you’d like a copy, please PM me.
Good Lord this comes up a lot! Below is the attached letter from the ATF. While they do not like you to do it, their is no law against it.
The simple fact is that if it was illegal for you to own an M16 BCG do you REALLY THINK that companies like Colt, LMT, etc would ship their weapons with M16 BCG’s???
