Full auto conversion.

[Yournamehere]

I don't think this needs to be deleted, but you guys are the admins. Thanks for your input. I ask because it's sort of a dream of mine to get a fully automatic M16A1, or a half decent AK clone (Russian ones are virtually nonexistant, and I'll buy a baseball bat before a Chinese variant). I know how much a full auto M16 costs roughly, and I was just trying to figure out if it was cheaper to get an AR-15 and convert it rather than buying a full auto rifle from the start. Feel free to continue discussing, but my question is pretty much answered.

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

(Russian ones are virtually nonexistant, and I'll buy a baseball bat before a Chinese variant).

Actually, the pre-1989 Chinese Norinco and Poly Tech AKs were way superior to just about any other semi-auto AK available in the U.S., especially the crap that's available today. The MAK-90s were of lesser quality (mostly because they were partially assembled in the U.S.), but even they were still better than most of the Romanian SARs and other such shit clones.

Trust me (as somebody who actually owns a Poly Tech AK) - Chinese pre-ban AKs were some of the very best you could buy in the States. The Chinese stereotype about "cheap, mass-produced, low-quality" doesn't apply to their AKs.

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

I know how much a full auto M16 costs roughly, and I was just trying to figure out if it was cheaper to get an AR-15 and convert it rather than buying a full auto rifle from the start.

It would be cheaper if you did the conversion work yourself. But if you can pay for the sear (which costs $10,000 and up), then you're already going to be taking out a second mortgage anyway, so why not just buy the whole deal?

[Yournamehere]

I figured the Poly Techs were quality, I just don't want the sight hood, and the fact that I own a Chinese gun. Some gunners think China is the biggest threat on the face of the planet and will hate you for buying "Chinese junk". I'm also not gonna pay near or over 1000 dollars for an AK, they are supposed to be cheap. If I put down cash like that I'll probably buy an M16 variant.

How much would it cost to do it myself within the confines of the law, or how much would it cost to have someone take care of it for me, within the confines of the law, and which would be better overall?

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

I figured the Poly Techs were quality, I just don't want the sight hood, and the fact that I own a Chinese gun. Some gunners think China is the biggest threat on the face of the planet and will hate you for buying "Chinese junk". I'm also not gonna pay near or over 1000 dollars for an AK, they are supposed to be cheap. If I put down cash like that I'll probably buy an M16 variant.

Well, the advantage of the sight hood is that it tends to be a bit more durable than the partially-open front sight of other AKs (I've seen a lot that got bent after being banged around enough). Though it's easy to replace, and you aren't planning on fighting in a bush war with an AK anyway, so maybe that's irrelevant.

Any good military-style autoloader is going to cost you a lot nowadays, especially since Obama got into office. Even WASRs and other crap are now getting much more expensive. I dunno how much pre-ban prices are changing, but it's actually not the worst idea in the world. You get what you pay for, after all. I remember when I was trying to find an AK back in 2003, I just kept finding that all of the American AK clones I inspected were junk, so I figured I'd save more money and get something worth keeping forever.

Originally Posted by Yournamehere

How much would it cost to do it myself within the confines of the law, or how much would it cost to have someone take care of it for me, within the confines of the law, and which would be better overall?

Depends on what kind of tooling is available to you. My Dad maintains a full machine shop in his basement, including a milling machine (not CNC, but still quite good), a lathe, and a bandsaw. All he would need to do is order the diagrams and fire control parts after he bought the sear, and he could do the conversion with everything he already has. My machining skills are pretty rudimentary compared to his (my entire experience is half a summer school semester course in Duke University's machine shop), so I would probably have a lot more trouble.

If you don't have access to a machine shop with that kind of stuff, then...well, buying the tools would set you back a lot of money, too.

[Gunmaster45]

I have little money and can't legally buy guns (my dad can though), but I've wanted a Colt Law Enforcement Carbine since I saw them in SOG a few years back. It is the civilian version of the M4A1, with a 16" barrel to comply with the barrel length laws. You may have it in I Am Legend. Called an M4gery in the full auto film configuration. Matt (trying it out) also says he wants one, but he'll likely get one while I likely won't.

[Excalibur]

My Marine buddy recommend just get a full length AR-15 as he argues over accuracy.

[Yournamehere]

The accuracy is an argument, but not why I might prefer an AR. The only reason anyone thinks of buying an AR is for SHTF, and I know that my mags take the same magazines as the military and police rifles, so ammo is heavily available. With an AK you have to have your own stuff, or take some time to find them and load them if there's ammo. The gun is fairly light too, and the interface is quick and easy to operate, and the sights are a little better. If it comes down to it, and I'm not saying it will, but it might, it's a good home defense tool.