[Hookin11]

I have a DPMS upper receiver and a Spikes lower end and it has the option of a 3-Round burst on it. I was wanting to know the legal side of that and where to possible find the kit to have it done. . . Possible a cost also.?

[Snakedriver]

I think that symbol on the Spikes lowers over where "sprinkle" is located is just for looks. A standard LPK will only allow for the "SAFE" and "FIRE" positions to work on your selector switch. No it isn't legal to try and convert an AR-15 to "AUTO" or "BURST". Obviously, they don't sell kits to do such things and ATF takes a dim view of anyone who tries to do such.

An M-16 or M4 would probably run around $10,000 if you were able to purchase one from a FFL Class III dealer who had one. That's after you did all the ATF paperwork just to own it.

[Hookin11]

Lesson learned, preshate it..!

[Jpyle]

The burst mode is only there for show and the receiver is not machined to accept full auto parts. Even if it were the manufacturing and even possession of an unregistered full auto AR would cost you several years in a Federal prison and tens of thousands in fines. Class III firearms are available but their limited availability makes them very pricey.

[BenLuby]

Yeah...you convert one to full auto you better stock up on soap on a rope.

[Flat4sti]

It is a nice little tease isn't it though...

[Vikingdad]

I thought all of the parts were available for burst and full auto conversions and the only illegal thing was if you actually installed them in your rifle. Am I totally wrong about that?

[Jpyle]

Originally Posted by Vikingdad

I thought all of the parts were available for burst and full auto conversions and the only illegal thing was if you actually installed them in your rifle. Am I totally wrong about that?

Possssion of an autosear and certain trigger control parts that can be installed in an AR is considered to be possession of a machine gun whether or not they are actually installed, unless you already own a NFA weapon and have the proper tax stamp.

"Regardless of the date of manufacture of a drop in auto sear, possession of such a sear and certain M-16 fire control parts is possession of a machinegun as defined by the NFA. Specifically, these parts are listed as “(a) combination(s) of parts” designed “Solely and exclusively” for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun and are a machinegun as defined in the NFA." ATF machinegun technology letters written between 1980 and 1996 by Edward M. Owen – the then-chief of the ATF technology division defined “solely and exclusively” in all of his published and unpublished machinegun rulings with specific non-ambiguous language.
Owning the parts needed to assemble other NFA firearms is generally restricted. An individual cannot own or manufacture certain machine gun sear (fire-control) components unless he owns a registered machine gun.

[Vikingdad]

Originally Posted by Jpyle

Possssion of an autosear and certain trigger control parts that can be installed in an AR is considered to be possession of a machine gun whether or not they are actually installed, unless you alreay own a NFA weapon and have the proper tax stamp.

Oh. OK then. How can that be determined then? Is the autosear and the trigger control parts identified by serial numbers or something?

I live in CA so it is illegal in any case for me to own any of this stuff, but I once heard... and you know where that leads.

[Snakedriver]

Along with a bunch of internal part differences between the AR-15 and the M-16/M4, there are also certain differences in the lower receiver between the semi-auto and the select fire weapons. It is not as simple as just having the parts ready to drop-in. Once the modifications necessary are made to the lower receiver, it becomes very apparent to LEO's and ATF's whether the gun is capable of semi or auto fire.

Anyone considering an attemp to gather and own the conversion parts should seriously reconsider unless they want to go do some serious time in the big house.

"From: [49 U.S.C. 781-788, 26 U.S.C. 5861, 26 U.S.C. 5872]

Violators may be fined not more than $250,000, and imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. In addition, any vessel, vehicle or aircraft used to transport, conceal or possess an unregistered NFA firearm is subject to seizure and forfeiture, as is the weapon itself."