Hi capacity magazine question...

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I was looking at purchasing a RRA 9mm Upper, and I saw it comes with a modified UZI magazine. If a magazine is pre-ban, but then modified in such a way to fit a different gun, is it then considered post ban, unless it was modified before 94? I know I can buy a block to be able to use unmodified Uzi mags, but that block is 150 dollars! which turns and otherwise 500 dollar upper (including 9mm buffer, hammer, and stock) into a 650 dollar upper, which is a huge difference.

Any thoughts?

-James G.
 
Buy the block.

+1

I'd tread carefully on this one. Granted, the 94 AWB is no longer, but at the time the BATF had this to say about mag modifications...

December 11, 1995

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and FIrearms
Technology Branch
Washington DC 20226

To whom it may concern:

I am requesting advice on how 18 U.S.C. section 922(w) affects the modification
of a magazine. I am contemplating taking two 30 round magazines for the M3
"Grease gun" machine gun, cutting the bottom off of one, and the top off the
other, and attaching them together to create one M3 magazine that holds 50 or
more rounds. Both magazines to be used are ones made before September 13, 1994,
and are thus not "large capacity ammunition feeding devices" as defined at 18
U.S.C. section 921(a)(31). What I am wondering is if the resulting single
magazine would be considered as having been "manufactured" after September 13,
1994, and thus a large capacity ammunition feeding device, with the limitations
on its lawful ownership placed by 18 U.S.C. Section 922(w).

Your advice as to the legal status of a magazine holding 10+ rounds, made
out of two magazines that held 10+ rounds, and were made before September 13,
1994, is appreciated.

Sincerely,



Jan 19 1996 E:CE:F:TE:RLB
3311

NAME
ADDRESS


DEAR:

This refers to your letter of December 11, 1995, to the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). In your letter you inquire
as to the legality of constructing a 50-round large capacity
ammunition feeding device from two (2) 30-round large capacity
ammunition feeding devices. You state in your letter that the two
(2) 30-round large capacity ammunition feeding devices were actually
manufactured prior to September 13, 1994.

Title 18 U.S.C. (United States Code), Chapter 44, section 922(w)
provides that it shall be unlawful for a person to transfer or possess
a large capacity ammunition feeding device except those which were
lawfully possessed on or before September 13, 1994.

As defined in 18 U.S.C., Chapter 44, section 921(a)(31)(A), the term "large
capacity ammunition feeding device" means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip
or similar device manufactured after September 13, 1994, which has a capacity
of, or can be readily converted to accept, more than ten (10) rounds of
ammunition.

The modification of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, as outlined
in your letter, which was actually made on or before the effective date of
the act, would not be a violation of section 922(w).

Please be aware that this determination is based on the information which
you have provided and covers only those large capacity ammunition feeding
devices which are constructed as detailed in your letter. If it is
subsequently concluded this information is inaccurate or false, than [sic]
this determination would be subject to review by this office.

We trust the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry. If you have
further questions concerning this matter, please contact us.

Sincerely yours,

[signed]
Edward M. Owen, Jr.
Chief, Firearms Technology Branch

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter8.txt


DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
WASHINGTON, DC 20226

JUN 22 2000

903050:CHB
3311

Dear Mr. Bardwell:

This refers to your letter of May 30, 2000, in which you asked
about modifying a magazine.

As defined in section 921(a)(31) of Title 18, United States Code
(U.S.C.), the term large capacity ammunition feeding device -

(A) means a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar
device manufactured after the date of enactment of the Violent
Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 [September 13,
1994] that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored
or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition; but

(B) does not include an attached tubular device designed to
accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber
rimfire ammunition.

It is generally unlawful for a person to transfer or possess a
large capacity ammunition feeding device as provided in 18 U.S.C.
section 922(w).

A 9mm 20 shot magazine manufactured prior to September 13, 1994,
would not be a large capacity ammunition feeding device as defined.
You asked about altering such a magazine to accept 14 rounds of
10mm ammunition by modifying the feed lips and possibly the
follower.

- 2 -

Mr. Bardwell

The altered magazine would be a large capacity ammunition feeding
device. The fact that the materials used to construct the 10mm
magazine were made prior to September 13, 994, would not mean that
the 10mm magazine was manufactured prior to that date. A new 10mm
magazine with the capacity of accepting more than 10 rounds of
ammunition would have been manufactured and it would be subject to
the prohibition in section 922(w).

We trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry.
If you have further questions concerning this matter, please
contact us.


Sincerely yours,


[signed]
Curtis H.A. Bartlett
Acting Chief, Firearms Technology Branch

http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/wbardwel/public/nfalist/atf_letter85.txt


Since there is (and has never been and never will be), no clear definition from the MA AG's office regarding "large capacity feeding devices" I'd err on the side of caution if I were you.

In fact, I would suspect that the reason RRA offers the block option (for those in ban states), is because of the above determinations.
 
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