After months of waiting, I finally got to shoot my Transferable Converted Full-Auto SP1. I attached my LWRC 10.5-inch upper on it and did my NFA Committee approval run today. My club allows the use of Class 3 firearms at certain ranges but only after members of the NFA Committee run you through the checklist.
Basically, they are making sure that you have all the NFA-associated paperwork and that you at least know how to manipulate your firearm. They also check to make sure that you can handle said firearm on full-auto by first having you fire a 3 to 5-round burst. If you are able to keep the first burst into the berm (at about 10-yards) they then have you shoot a full magazine’s worth. If you do not place a round outside the berm then you are now approved to shoot your NFA item at the club.
So now, I am trying to figure out if I should keep this gun “original” (I already installed and ambi safety lever and a KNS “captured” Sear pin). I was thinking of “dressing” it up either into a Vietnam-era XM-177/CAR-15 ‘Commando’ or into a more modern M-4A1 variant. NOTE: It is already in carbine configuration.
If I choose the Vietnam-era XM-177 ‘Commando’ I cannot use this rifle in Carbine classes (like I would like to). But at the same time, if I go the modern M-4A1 direction, I will shoot the crap out of it and probably paint it (I already have a Ceiner M-16 .22LR Conversion kit and about a dozen Black Dog 15-round magazines).
My original purpose for buying this rifle was as an investment. But now that I’ve played with it, I’m starting to think otherwise.
what did it set you back? transferable M16 receivers are running north of $15K in my neck of the woods.
as far as the receiver goes, shoot the f*ck out of it (if you can afford to feed it).
i’m not terribly big on firing RIFLES on full-auto, although I have some subguns to keep things interesting.
for me, the utility in having the full-auto lower is basically being able to put whatever length upper you want on it, and for shits and giggles (collector value).
Put it in the configuration that is most practical for you to use in the exceptionally unlikely event that you ever need it. Pray that you won’t. Shoot the piss out of it and SMILE everytime you look at it.
Shoot the hell out of it. I picked up a NIB M16A1 carbine last year and I dropped a 416 upper on it and have been blasting as much as my ammo supply allows. But then again, I am not a collector/conservationist by nature–I like to shoot my toys.
Plus, it will always be worth a lot of money. There is ZERO chance that the NFA will be repealed and no real chance of the 86 ban being repealaed. Just put the upper and furniture in storage (that is what I did). So, theoretically I can just repark the lower later if I need to “restore it” which I wont.
Well I for one would keep it and shoot the shit out of it as much as funds would allow me to.
As for how to dress it up, I would go the modern route just because you said you’d like to use it for carbine classes. I personally think it would be more fun making it into a modern-day, high-speed M4 as opposed to a plain-jane (yawn) Vietnam-era “commando.” (Unless of course if it will primarily be just more of a “collector’s item” and not be fired all that often, which, lets face it, probably will NOT be the case now that you’ve had some full-auto trigger time with her.)
I cannot afford a F/A lower as of right now in my life, so… SHOOT IT FOR ME, MAN!!! Buy yourself a couple Beta C mags and let loose some hell on some paper baddies with extreme prejudice:D
I already have an M-16 (as in F/A) compatible Ceiner conversion kit with about a dozen BD mags (and about 6,000-rounds of Federal .22 ammo :D). I am looking to order an M4 upper (14.5-inch) for use primarily as a dedicated .22LR upper in conjunction with the kit. I don’t want a .22LR upper because I would like to retain its utility as a 5.56/.223 shooter as well.
I am looking for an S&W 5.45x39 upper as well. But that’s low on my priority list.
