Legality of Parts Kits

[Morales]

I am trying to home build an AK and a FAL using those kits that seem to be around every where these days. One is the Romanian kit, and the other is Isreli. When I called up the AK place, they told me the kits weren't for home builds, but for repairs and replacement parts. I haven't called about the FAL yet. What I want to know is whether or not I will be breaking any laws by ordering these kits. I plan to get US made receivers to complete the rifles. So what's the deal here? Can I order them or not? Will I end up in federal prison? Do I have to already own the rifles or the receivers before I can get the parts?

[bwiese]

They just say "replacement parts" for 922(r) compliance matters.

It's perfectly legal to build (separate from state laws) a rifle from parts kit, as long as the "10 or less key foreign parts" mantra is obeyed.

As a separate issue, some Calgunners have run into trouble with parts kits because of machinegun issues. This is less likely for FAL & AK kits, and generally centers around foreign open-bolt 9mm SMG designs.

Make sure that your parts kit, especially if you already have a matching receiver, does
- NOT contain any full auto partsl
- NOT have a shorter-than-16" bbl;
- NOT have a high-capacity magazine;

... and you will be OK.

'Constructive possession' applies to machineguns and short-bbl'd rifles at various levels, so that's why you have to watch the above.

[JHC]

I think he's warning the OP to make sure that no 30 round mag is shipped with the parts kit, sometimes sellers on Gunbroker will try to "help out" us Californians by including them but you never know, you might be being set-up by Iggy

[bwiese]

you are saying no high caps for fixed mags only right

Not just that - you simply cannot import new hicap mags AT ALL.

The reason I mentioned that is because many parts kits (FALs, AKs) often have a hicap mag thrown in, which would be illegal to import/acquire in CA.
So you have to make sure they pluck these mags from the parts kit before sending it out.

As an entirely separate issue, a semiauto centerfire rifle cannot have a fixed magazine that holds more than 10rds or it becomes an AW.

If you have a legally-owned hicap mag in your CA-legal non-AW M1A and you screw the mag down into a nondetachable fixed mag configuration, you've just manufactured an illegal assault weapon.

[Morales]

Good help guys. Thanks. Fast too. I'll order the stuff tomorrow. And yeah, I'm not going for any high capacity magazines or other illegal stuff, I'm a law abiding citizen. I'll tell you, this is sort of off topic but being a rifleman and gun collector has made me more honest. I am not affraid of doing anything that would jeapordize my ablilty to enjoy this hobby. I don't even J walk anymore. Thanks again guys.

[bwiese]

Good help guys. Thanks. Fast too. I'll order the stuff tomorrow. And yeah, I'm not going for any high capacity magazines or other illegal stuff, I'm a law abiding citizen. I'll tell you, this is sort of off topic but being a rifleman and gun collector has made me more honest. I am not affraid of doing anything that would jeapordize my ablilty to enjoy this hobby. I don't even J walk anymore. Thanks again guys.

I know you don't intend to do anything but the order-filling klutzes in the warehouse could screw up.

Frankly I would fax the order in with a special note to remove magazines (most likely hicaps) or whatever other CA or Fed- offensive part may need to be removed.

[bigthaiboy]

I ordered a Imbel FAL parts kit not too long ago, and to my surprise it arrived with a 20rd magazine, dispite speaking with retailer at the time of ordering that they need to pull the mag out of the kit before shipping to CA.

I immediately took the mag to the garage and pounded it flat with a 2lb hammer. It's just not worth going to jail over a $10 magazine.

Here's a couple of sites with useful info on building FAL's and AK's:

http://www.angelfire.com/tx4/guncollecter/fnconst.htm

http://howtobuildanaktyperifle.com/index.htm

Are you planning on a rivet or screw build AK?

[Morales]

Not sure yet about the rivet or screw. I'm not sure which is mroe sturdy, and which type of receiver I will get (US made milled or stamped). I still have a long way to go, obviously, since I am just ordering parts. Thanks again for the useful feed back every one.

[bigthaiboy]

The current Romanian parts kits available are the Romanian G ($100) ('Garda' designation, produced for the Romanian civil guard) with the handguard pistol grip. These are a stamped reciever AK.

I have one of these kits and I am shortly planning on a build using a NoDakSpud NDS-3 stamped reciever.

http://www.nodakspud.com/page2.htm

[xrMike]

I'm not sure which is mroe sturdy, and which type of receiver I will get (US made milled or stamped).

If you're going to buy a Romy G parts kit, you'll need to get a stamped receiver, like the Nodak NDS-3.

[xrMike]

Like grammy keeps saying, better get your Romy G kits soon before they're all gone.

I just bought my 2nd kit recently. The place where I bought my 1st kit no longer has them, and says they likely never will again. The place where I got my 2nd kit was selling them for $109 about 6 months ago. I paid $119 for mine (about 1.5 months ago). I look on their website today and, boom!, now they're going for $129!!!

[Stressfracture]

Hi. I'm new around here and have the same idea as Morales. I was woundering if it would be leagel to build one of the recievers in CA?

https://www.vbd.com/noc/shop/products_detail.asp?CategoryID=35&ProductID=276

[JHC]

Hi. I'm new around here and have the same idea as Morales. I was woundering if it would be leagel to build one of the recievers in CA?

https://www.vbd.com/noc/shop/product...&ProductID=276

It would be legal, but with store bought receivers being so cheap building from a flat or blank is a losing game for most people.

[Tweak338]

Hi. I'm new around here and have the same idea as Morales. I was woundering if it would be leagel to build one of the recievers in CA?

https://www.vbd.com/noc/shop/product...&ProductID=276

umm. for $20 more and xfer/dros you could get a NDS3..
no heat treating, no bending, ect.

[Stressfracture]

I thought it would be thanks for the quick response. I think i want to do this just to do it. This flat I could handle. dont have to worry about a jig to do the bends and such. The welding would be a piece of cake . I ordered my Romy kit today.