My AR-15 Stag Arms M16 clone -non-NFA parts review

cmansguns · #1 05-06-2024, 10:04 AM

Had a couple recent posts about this pawn shop find that I was concerned about because of the OEM being shut down by the BATFE in 2014 for having un-serialized lowers, and "machine guns" on premise in New Britian CT.

Thanks to folks on this Forum I was able to research the parts that are currently illegal for a civilian to possess. Turns out that an actual Military style full auto BOLT CARRIER is Legal under current regulations, but none of the other parts are legal IF they are in automatic configuration.

So...trigger has to be closed channel, Disconnector cannot have a "tail", Hammer cannot have the tip "hook", Selector lever cannot have multiple cutouts.

Only additional info is the 30 round magazines currently legal in some, but not all States.

I have posted the information I could find simply for other folks like me that just hadn't learned about these M16 clone rifles and may be contemplating buying one on the used market, hence it becomes the BUYERS responsibility to be sure of legalities, both Fed (BATFE), State and even local.

Thanks for listening....they are neat little rifles for range or plinking. Mine came with some bulk 55 grain ammo tossed in and it does go bang every time.

cmansguns · #2 05-06-2024, 10:14 AM

Some additional AR-15 pics of the lower gutted and ammo used.

The picture snagged off of the Internet is of a Marine in Helmland Province. Interesting is the A2 solid buttstock still in use in 2012.
I also note the wire-ties holding accessories onto the rifle. Was this for extra security, rails not reliable in those days, or ??

Frailer · #3 05-06-2024, 10:22 AM

Loss of “sensitive items” is a big deal in the military. A “dummy cord” made of paracord (or, in this case, a zip tie) is cheap insurance against a significant emotional event for a Soldier/Marine and his compatriots.

NewLiberty · #4 05-06-2024, 11:51 AM

The rails were reliable, generally on M-16A4s of those era we were using KAC rails. However, as mentioned above, all serialized items had to be "dummy corded" to the rifle. It looks like the zip cord on the middle of the handguard also could have been for cord management for the pressure switch cord.

LVSteve · #5 05-06-2024, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmansguns

The picture snagged off of the Internet is of a Marine in Helmland Province. Interesting is the A2 solid buttstock still in use in 2012.
I also note the wire-ties holding accessories onto the rifle. Was this for extra security, rails not reliable in those days, or ??

I know this might be taken as profiling, but I wonder if your "marine" is actually a local translator in US uniform with US equipment. I believe this was done so they wouldn't be identifiable by Taliban snipers.

03hemi · #6 05-06-2024, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmansguns

Had a couple recent posts about this pawn shop find that I was concerned about because of the OEM being shut down by the BATFE in 2014 for having un-serialized lowers, and "machine guns" on premise in New Britian CT.

Thanks to folks on this Forum I was able to research the parts that are currently illegal for a civilian to possess. Turns out that an actual Military style full auto BOLT CARRIER is Legal under current regulations, but none of the other parts are legal IF they are in automatic configuration.

So...trigger has to be closed channel, Disconnector cannot have a "tail", Hammer cannot have the tip "hook", Selector lever cannot have multiple cutouts.

Only additional info is the 30 round magazines currently legal in some, but not all States.

I have posted the information I could find simply for other folks like me that just hadn't learned about these M16 clone rifles and may be contemplating buying one on the used market, hence it becomes the BUYERS responsibility to be sure of legalities, both Fed (BATFE), State and even local.

Thanks for listening....they are neat little rifles for range or plinking. Mine came with some bulk 55 grain ammo tossed in and it does go bang every time.

Remember: In order to drop in a binary trigger, you must have the full auto bolt carrier.