Deactivated machine gun

[Misanthroper]

I m interested in buying a deactivated machine gun. I ve had a look at the legalities and seems like it is okay to purchase one providing it has all the correct certifications, and it s the engineering and mechanics that interest me about them.

I wanted to see if anyone one here has one and what the deactivation involves, can you still strip the weapon and take it fully apart or is it deactivated to the extent the components are welded shut or anything?

I did a short stint in the military and was always fascinated by how mechanically something with such a simple design and gas powered by the firing of the bullet all work s together, I m not some gun nut or anything but I do like the whole concept of a machine gun.

Better not to even risk buying one or is it relatively painless and not a legal headache?

Edited by Misanthroper on Friday 19th December 14:23

[JoshSm]

Just buy it from a sensible outlet and it should be fine. https://www.dandbmilitaria.com has all sorts, not cheap though!

There are different grades of deactivation depending on when done, later deactivation is a lot more thorough.

[AndyTR]

Just check the listings to see how the firearm has been deactivated and which parts are free and moving - https://www.dandbmilitaria.com/deactivated-guns-an...

[RizzoTheRat]

Previous company I word for had a deactivated GPMG, I believe the working parts were made of something that would melt if you tried to fire it. I can't remember if the barrel was blocked or not though. Everything worked and we had it hooked up to a compressor so it could "fire" on full auto.

Hooked up to a big screen running VBS2 (based on Arma2) it was fun to play with

[Misanthroper]

Thanks for the info so far!! D and B have exactly what I’m looking for, an IDF Galil SAR which is pretty much identical to the R4 I was issued with, I’ll contact them to find out how it’s been deactivated and how much can still be stripped.

[JoshSm]

RizzoTheRat said:

Previous company I word for had a deactivated GPMG, I believe the working parts were made of something that would melt if you tried to fire it. I can't remember if the barrel was blocked or not though. Everything worked and we had it hooked up to a compressor so it could "fire" on full auto.

Hooked up to a big screen running VBS2 (based on Arma2) it was fun to play with

I've had a go with different flavours of these, including for things like the P8 and G36. Full action including the magazines, though the latter were captive so you could eject/reload at the right times but it wouldn't come all the way. Great toy for the kids.

Also tried an untethered system, that was basically glorified airsoft so not quite so full featured but very clever scoring system that could cope with live targets.

PS. I know someone who got arrested when sent to pick up a parcel that unknown to them was an SMG for one of these rigs, had got noticed during shipping and didn't have the right paperwork with it.

Do not mess about when shipping or handling deactivated or replica weapons. It can end badly.

[Jim1064]

Deactivation specifications are here (scroll down to section 7)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/firearm...

You might be disappointed.

[Roofless Toothless]

User name checks out and is somewhat concerning …

[bobtail4x4]

I was offered an AK47 in belgum a couple of years back, with firing pin removed,250euro for another 5 euro he would supply a working pin.
cant think why would need one,

a full working luger was 1200euro,

this was a military /classic car rally,
bloke had a market stall full of stuff,

deactivated stuff needs the barrel blocking, as well as major parts removed internally,

[Blib]

Roofless Toothless said:

User name checks out and is somewhat concerning

Beat me to it.

[Misanthroper]

Looks like given the amount they do to deactivate it, it’s little more than a wall ornament and not something you can take apart to look at the engineering in action.

And really no concern, mechanically they’re very clever when you think of the rate of fire they can reproduce, I just enjoy that engineering aspect of them.

[Alex Z]

Out of interest, how do those prices for a deactivated weapon compare to the cost of a live one in countries where they can be sold legitimately?

[trickywoo]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VKGkzAC3Cng&pp=y...

If I understand correctly I think Bruce says in the video that older deactivations have more scope for being able to disassemble as you would a live one. According to him they are therefore worth more than recently deactivated models of the same item.

[AlexC1981]

Misanthroper said:

I just enjoy that engineering aspect of them.

Are you saying you won't be running around the garden wearing a vest and bandana, pretending to be Rambo? Because that would be a wasted opportunity.

[montymoo]

Alex Z said:

Out of interest, how do those prices for a deactivated weapon compare to the cost of a live one in countries where they can be sold legitimately?

Quick Look.
Mentally expensive.. they have a beretta 92s for 1450£. You can pick the more modern version up for about 600 quid in most of Europe and even cheaper for one that look Ropey like here.

They have an m16 for 2.5k. Again. You can easily pick up a colt m16 in Europe (not the auto version obvs)for half that and even less.
So imo. Overpriced paper weights most of the time.

[TorqueVR]

AlexC1981 said:

Misanthroper said:

I just enjoy that engineering aspect of them.

Are you saying you won't be running around the garden wearing a vest and bandana, pretending to be Rambo? Because that would be a wasted opportunity.

You could go full "Walter Mitty". Here's my 1/2 size 3D printed Vickers and Lewis guns and the 0.5 Browning I made from bits and pieces in the garage and B & Q. They are going in my grandson's jeep, which we're about to re-do as an SAS desert raider. The guns are only for show but the mortar shoots tennis balls up to 200m.