Question about U.S. demil regs (sawn or torched)

[richardw]

I get the feeling that most of the members here are in the UK, but perhaps someone can give an opinion about the ATFE rules for demilling Brens in the U.S.

I see that the most recently imported Bren parts sets had their receivers torch-cut, but I recall that a few years ago (5 years?) there were Bren sets available that were sawn, not gas-torched (from Interordnance, I think). The cuts were very clean and straight.

I understand that the ATFE changed the demil instructions a couple years ago, although they'd probably say they were merely "clarifying" them, but I'm not certain how or if that affects the legality of the sawn receivers.

Does anyone have an opinion about those earlier saw-cut Bren sets? I am actively looking for another parts set, and I had hoped to find one, but perhaps I should avoid them(?)

Thanks, Rich

[762x51]

richardw said:

I understand that the ATFE changed the demil instructions a couple years ago, although they'd probably say they were merely "clarifying" them, but I'm not certain how or if that affects the legality of the sawn receivers.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) has changed the de-mil specification several times over the last 10 or so years. Early on, all you had to do was saw cut the receiver in half, then it was into 3 pieces, then they said they had to be torch cut in 3 places, and now its torch cut in 3 places removing 1/4" of metal at each cut location. The BATFE supplied the importers with a drawing showing where the cuts are to be made.

I may have missed one or more of the de-mill specs. but you get the idea.

Currently the de-milled receiver pieces can be imported but no barrels can be brought into the country unless you can prove that they are for "Sporting purposes".

richardw said:

Does anyone have an opinion about those earlier saw-cut Bren sets? I am actively looking for another parts set, and I had hoped to find one, but perhaps I should avoid them(?)

If they were legally imported and de-milled (using the de-mill spec. that was current when they were imported) then they are legal. Good luck on finding a saw cut BREN receiver and if you are lucky enough to find one, get ready to pay a great deal for it. These are sought out by Class 3 manufactures to make post sample full auto guns.

What would be really nice would be for the BATFE to allow importation of machine gun receivers that had been converted to semisuto receivers overseas. They will not allow this because they have a rule of "once a machinegun, always a machinegun". The cut receivers are considered "scrap metal" and that's why they can be imported.

Even manufacturing, overseas, and importing a completely new receiver to semiauto spec. would not be allowed because they, the BATFE, would say that it's not for "sporting purposes". You could, however, manufacture that very same receiver here in the USA and it would be OK - Go figure!!

Regards,
Orin

[britplumber]

Almost as crazy as the Laws we have in the UK!

[richardw]

Thanks Orin- That's exactly what I needed to know.