I really don't know...

[BigBear]

Would it be possible to buy a sear (for like an M16) and drop it into a Ar-15 to make it full auto? I really don't know and am just curious. If it is possible, what is paperwork process? Also, does one need to machine a new stop and stuff for the selector switch? I really don't know... sry.

[GreenScoutII]

No new machine guns for civilians after May, 1986. You can still get something made before this date with the proper paperwork etc.

As far as I know, any full auto parts are considered a machine gun, even if they are not installed.

Big fines and prison terms for violations.

I looked into this myself and gave up on the idea.

[Backinblackrifles]

No it would need a new hole for the auto sear the "block" in the lower would need too be milled out and the bolts are not the same. this varies from make to make and year to year but you can get in trouble for having an M-16 auto bolt even if every thing else is "AR" or if you have any other M-16 components such as the selector switch, sear, having the extra hole in you lower, having the step milled out or any combination there of. And probably some I am forgetting.

[the_man]

Step one Find a transferable NFA M16.
Step two go to the bank and take a big loan....$20k should be enough to buy am m16...transfer to SOT
Step three Form 4 transfer....wait for at least 4 months if not longer
Step four If approved goto dealer get your gun
Step 5 take second loan to buy ammo
Step 6 Brag to your friends...I know I would if I could drop that much coin

[BigBear]

So the parts are not interchangable. I knew that I could not get a "new" machine gun (anything after '86) but I wasn't sure whether I could "build" something from after that year.

Okay, another question. Isn't the AR platform modeled after the M-16, etc series? Why wouldn't a drop in sear or simple varient work? I guess I really just need to google an AR schematic and figure it out myself....

Yeah, I don't have an AR, yet. I certainly don't have 20K to drop on a full auto (If I had that much, I'd be paying off student loans a hell of a lot quicker). Just a dream/want I've always had since my dad took me to the "family day" thing in the military when I was a kid (like 8 years old, lol) and got to shoot all the fun toys, even the .50 off an Abrams! YAY!!

[rondog]

Go to one of the big machinegun shoots next spring, and you can rent and shoot mg's to your heart's content. That'll cost you enough money to make you re-think ownership, at least it did for me. I've never seen cash fly outta my hands so fast in my life. But stay away from the minigun, or you'll be eating Ramen noodles for a month.

[BigBear]

lol, rondog. You ain't the first person to say that... lol. Like I said (or maybe I didn't), I would be totally content with an AR. The MG is just a daydream/fantasy/(insert own vocabulary here). Still working on getting my wife a G26 for her CCW. Times are tight right now, lol. She said, "Don't you dare buy me a pinky, girlie, sissy looking gun! I want one like yours, just smaller." lol. I love my wife.

Btw, rondog, great icons, lol. The top guy looks like he's having trouble holding on! lol.

[gunhound]

Would it be possible to buy a sear (for like an M16) and drop it into a Ar-15 to make it full auto? I really don't know and am just curious. If it is possible, what is paperwork process? Also, does one need to machine a new stop and stuff for the selector switch? I really don't know... sry.

There are two types of sears.
1. RDIAS/DIAS (registered drop in auto sear/drop in auto sear)
2. M16 auto sear.

A DIAS (drop in auto sear) does not need the M16 auto sear / 3rd pin hole. You can use a DIAS (legal one) in an AR15 lower but you still need M16 fire control parts.

BTW, RDIAS (registered drop in auto sear) now cost more than a registered receiver.

The "stop" is caused by the detent hole in the selector itself.
The detent and spring are in the pistol grip.
An AR15 selector has two (safe/fire) while an M16 has 3 (safe/semi/auto)

There are 4 parts in the fire control group that are M16 specific and slightly different than AR15 FCG:

disconnector
hammer
trigger
selector
In addition, you need an auto sear and pin for full auto (3rd hole not drilled in AR15 receiver)

In an upper, all that is needed is an M16 carrier (to trip the auto sear)
the bolts are interchangeable.

[BigBear]

Gunhound, thank you sir. Very nicely explained.

[ryanek9freak]

Christ, if I was able to afford a Title II weapon, it sure as hell wouldn't be a POS M16. THe full auto or burst fire capabiity is the only thing that makes them formidable weapons in the battle field. I have 2 M4 clones, and while they're fun to shoot, it's not something that I would want in full auto. I mean what's the point?

It would quickly drain your bank account, and not do much damage to anything. I second what stu said. For 5k, you could get yourself a nice .380 or 9mm Cobray Uzi, or a cheapo (relativley for class III) Mac 10 or 11. Still have the cool "wow an MG" factor, and not be so damned expensive to shoot once or twice a year.

Besides, if I were to drop a rediculous amount of coin on a full auto, I'd just save up and buy a Ma Deuce or something of the sort. Perhaps a browning .30 cal.