Importing Pre-ban Hi-cap magazines

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BostonShepherd

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Without asking for legal advice, is it possible to import out-of-state, pre-ban high capacity magazines manufactured prior to September 13th, 1994, when the federal Assualt Weapons Ban went into effect?

How does one establish provenance?
 
It would be perfectly legal to import pre-ban high capacity magazines, either by purchasing them out-of-state yourself and returning with them, or by an out-of-state sourt selling them to you and shipping them to you here. A lot of dealers have been scared away from the later by the AG's office and their bullying tactics.

As to the provenance of preban magazines, that's the $64,000 question. There are a lot of ways to prove that some post-ban magazines are in fact post-ban, but very few ways to prove that a pre-ban is actually pre-ban.

Ken
 
Assuming one has the proper MA Class A/B LTC... it's perfectly legal.

As pointed out, it's highly unlikely that any of the established online vendors will ship to MA. Even if you provide them with a copy of your LTC, they won't ship here because of fear of legal repercussions.

One alternative for "ban state" gun owners is to search the "EE" and "For Sale" boards on the various dedicated firearms forums; name a specific handgun, long gun or manufacturer, and there's a 99% chance there's an owners forum for it.

Just before and after the 94 AWB, there were a lot of mag hoarders and speculators that snatched up 10+ mags hoping to make a profit if the 94 ban was renewed. Since it didn't pass, they all got pretty much stuck with their investments. Pre-ban M-16/AR-15 USGI New In Wrapper mags that sold for $25.00 - $30.00 a few years ago, can be bought for $14.00 - $15.00 (compared to current issue newly manufactured mags that sell for less than $10.00) [frown]

I've always had very good service from individuals looking to sell or unload their stash. Reading the replies and feedback from other buyers helps weed-out the rip-off artists from the reputable sellers.

If you're uncertain about which mags are pre-ban and which are post-ban, a few sites might have a Mag FAQ.

Here's one for Glock mags (pinned in this forum).

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=4944

And another for M-16/AR-15 mags...

http://magfaq.tripod.com

Stay legal... Stay safe.
 
BostonShepherd said:
Without asking for legal advice, is it possible to import out-of-state, pre-ban high capacity magazines manufactured prior to September 13th, 1994, when the federal Assualt Weapons Ban went into effect?

How does one establish provenance?
Click to expand...


It is legal. You just have to find someone who isnt going to wet their
pants about selling mags to an LTC holder in MA. Usually joe smoes in
free states wont bat an eye, but you will have trouble with busineses, most
of them wont sell to MA at all, even if preban.

As far as the provenance issue goes, most of the time that is going to
be an absolute crapshoot, as best. Most of the time you have to go
on the word of the person selling you the magazines. As time goes
on, pre ban magazines are going to become more and more indescernible
from "post ban unmarked" magazines. Right now, magazines that
look used and beat up are more likely to be preban, but that too is
a crapshoot. All one has to do is take some new magazines through
a few training courses and theyll look like theyre 12+ years old in a
snap.

The -absolute key- though thats non negotiable, is that the magazine MUST NOT
have any LEO/Crime Bill markings on it... (Typically expressed as something like
"FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT / GOVERNMENT USE ONLY 10/94" etc.
Anything with those markings is obviously 110% illegal for posession or
use in MA. (at least by joe citizen) The other obvious clue would be, on plastic
magazines, a mold mark indicating date of manufacture. (Course
most mag bodies dont have a date stamped into them at all, in any
way shape or form. ).

The only others that are 110% illegal are magazines manufactured for guns
which didn't exist before the ban went into place. There are a few corner
case exceptions to this rule, but not too many. (Good examples are HK USP
45 mags imported before the gun made it here, as well as the P99 mags
from earl's repair service) among other things. But these are generally
very rare exceptions.

-Mike
 
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LoginName said:
Assuming one has the proper MA Class A/B LTC... it's perfectly legal.

.
Click to expand...


Keep in mind, that if you want to buy and lawfully possess large capacity pistol mags in MA, you must have a valid Class A LTC.

For large capacity rifle or shotgun mags, either class of valid MA LTC will do.

Darius
 
I've purchased a bunch of preban mags for my Sigs. A couple 229 preban mags were purchased from a LEO from NY- he asked my to send him a photocopy of my LTC Class A along with the check. ;)

Some dealers won't take the chance.. like others have already posted.
 
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