This is shaping up as the most insane Shot Show yet.

Gonna be a lot of Heat reenactors.




Not all that surprising. With the popularity of all the various AR18 clones and derivatives lately, plus the availability of stuff like the CETME-L and HK33 clones, it was only a matter of time before companies decided to run with other late Cold War 5.56 rifle clones.

Gimme

Sign me up for one. The only downside is that this will drive the cost of registered Sears through the stratosphere. Definitely will be a cool gun to add to the collection.

BATFE has put the kaibash on any "pistol" imports with barrels over 8" from this point forward. Sadly, unless the import certs are already approved, we won't be getting any Pindad SS1's.

Also, for anybody that wants a SIG 551 or 550...don't dawdle. Prices will go up once the tap gets turned off.

Where did you hear that?

Industry friends who were out at SHOT show this week and confirmed through another source who's an importer. We'll see how it plays out but with LAV and Trident Rifles conflagration, it seems they're finally clamping down. "HKI" marked HK MR223's of German origination already had their import approvals not renewed so it's already happened.

Don't take my word for it...it's hearsay after all but if one wants an imported large format "pistol" over an 8 inch barrel, it would be prudent not to wait too long.

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
Industry friends who were out at SHOT show this week and confirmed through another source who's an importer. We'll see how it plays out but with LAV and Trident Rifles conflagration, it seems they're finally clamping down. "HKI" marked HK MR223's of German origination already had their import approvals not renewed so it's already happened.

Don't take my word for it...it's hearsay after all but if one wants an imported large format "pistol" over an 8 inch barrel, it would be prudent not to wait too long.

The MR223s are a special case that has nothing to do with having barrels over a certain length. The issue with them are that they weren’t built as pistols. They were built as rifles and had their stocks removed prior to importation and sale.

quote:

Originally posted by Dwill104:

The MR223s are a special case that has nothing to do with having barrels over a certain length. The issue with them are that they weren’t built as pistols. They were built as rifles and had their stocks removed prior to importation and sale.

Right, but the issue is people (EPS in AZ, CO Gun Sales, etc) are doing the same with all sorts of things notably SIG 550's, 551's and PE90's using JDI's approved 550P, 551P and PE90P category; it's hard to police unless BATFE limits only to JDI since they're getting new production guns made only as "pistols". Trident Rifles/HKI did the same with MR's. Seems this new change is intended to draw a clear line so processors don't need to make judgment calls on origin state.

quote:

Originally posted by Dwill104:

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
Industry friends who were out at SHOT show this week and confirmed through another source who's an importer. We'll see how it plays out but with LAV and Trident Rifles conflagration, it seems they're finally clamping down. "HKI" marked HK MR223's of German origination already had their import approvals not renewed so it's already happened.

Don't take my word for it...it's hearsay after all but if one wants an imported large format "pistol" over an 8 inch barrel, it would be prudent not to wait too long.

The MR223s are a special case that has nothing to do with having barrels over a certain length. The issue with them are that they weren’t built as pistols. They were built as rifles and had their stocks removed prior to importation and sale.

They were pistols when they arrived in the US. That’s all that matters.

No idea on the import issue as its outside my normal scope other than 922r. But under normal ATF guidance once made into a rifle a gun can never be a pistol. Is that not also true for imports?

quote:

Originally posted by hrcjon:
No idea on the import issue as its outside my normal scope other than 922r. But under normal ATF guidance once made into a rifle a gun can never be a pistol. Is that not also true for imports?

And how does BATFE monitor that or investigate? They cannot regulate overseas production and certainly not in arrears. All they know is what's reported into their systems by manufacturers; they have oversight by law in the US on new production so there's a very clear path to data for new stuff but when it comes into import of used items, they only know what's declared as Josh said.

This is also the reason for the push for nationwide universal background checks...snap the line and all changes in ownership and over time, you've got the data to enforce whatever you want. That's a whole other off-topic ball of wax but that's the same premise at play here for "used" items. If BATFE approves import of the Pindad SS1 new production (with proper f/a blocking features to ensure semi operation and not easily converted), it opens up the floodgates for "used" semi imports in pistol form. That's the reason for the reported change in approvals only under 8 inches.

Back to the SS1...I'm rooting for them. I'll buy at least one. I'm also not putting a large deposit down unless it's confirmed approved for import given the aforementioned info. Note that JDI is now requiring 100% deposit for their latest batch of SIG imports. I'd suspect similar on the Pindad which leads to another question; who's the actual importer for them? That's unclear.

I would love a pistol version of the Beretta M12.

Assuming one could easily add the front handgrip with SBR filing.

Cant wait to see them in real life.

HK Ag

quote:

Originally posted by JoshNC:

quote:

Originally posted by Dwill104:

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
Industry friends who were out at SHOT show this week and confirmed through another source who's an importer. We'll see how it plays out but with LAV and Trident Rifles conflagration, it seems they're finally clamping down. "HKI" marked HK MR223's of German origination already had their import approvals not renewed so it's already happened.

Don't take my word for it...it's hearsay after all but if one wants an imported large format "pistol" over an 8 inch barrel, it would be prudent not to wait too long.

The MR223s are a special case that has nothing to do with having barrels over a certain length. The issue with them are that they weren’t built as pistols. They were built as rifles and had their stocks removed prior to importation and sale.

They were pistols when they arrived in the US. That’s all that matters.

Maybe, maybe not. But importation has stopped. That’s what matters in real life.

quote:

Originally posted by Dwill104:

Maybe, maybe not. But importation has stopped. That’s what matters in real life.

ATF has sole discretion to interpret the import regs. Which is total BS but supported under Chevron Deference. Unless someone takes ATF to court and wins, we will continue to get their bullshit arbitrary and capricious rulings.

Hopefully SCOTUS gives a ruling re: Chevron that is favorable and in line with the original intent of the constitution.