The Oddest Pistol I Ever Shot: Full Auto 5967

[JCIN]

Some friends bought a large quantity of NFA goodies for use on a machine gun rental range here in Vegas and this weekend I was helping them go through the whole lot seeing what was what and test firing all the guns. All the stuff was in one big old wooden box with Russian writing on it. It was like Christmas.

As we are digging through I see a blue box and say "What is that?" We check the inventory list and listed right there is "S&W 5967 - Full Auto". I had never even heard of a 5967 and had never seen a Class III Smith pistol either. Naturally the first thing I said was "I'm shooting that."

I head to the range, load up two rounds in a mag and sure enough...full auto. So I load up four rounds...then a whole mag and the smiles ensued. The cyclic rate was ridiculous. The gun is a complete liability for a place that rents guns to tourists and will never see the light of day on the rental counter but it sure was fun to play with.





Video: Smith and Wesson 5967 full auto - YouTube

The gun is like new complete with box and has no useful purpose whatsoever I can think of other than making guys like me giggle like a little kid. Going through the giant old Russian box was one of the more fun things I have done in a long time. Some of the comments:

"Hey did you know there was a fifty in here" as a guy pulls out an M2 receiver from the bottom of the box.

"I dont think the range is rated for this" while holding a Colt M203 launcher.

"Is there a 249 on the list? Cause there is one in the box."

[GaryS]

A factory letter would be interesting, to say the least. I'd guess that "Horton" on the box refers to Lou Horton.

Reading about the 5967, it would appear that the full auto modification was done after it left the factory. If so, couldn't it be restored to factory configuration and sold as a semi auto.

[JCIN]

Originally Posted by GaryS

A factory letter would be interesting, to say the least. I'd guess that "Horton" on the box refers to Lou Horton.

Reading about the 5967, it would appear that the full auto modification was done after it left the factory. If so, couldn't it be restored to factory configuration and sold as a semi auto.

Class III is not my thing so I have no idea how it works. I did a small amount of research on the Class III world and quickly figured out that end of the pool is just not for me.

The frame on the pistol is marked with the name of the company that previously owned it. Whether they converted it or someone else did I do knot know. I can't keep type 7, type 8, type 11, SOT this or that straight. To me full autos are like boats...its great when your friends own them.

[red9]

If it was a home conversion, you can re-convert it and find some deep water to dispose of the full-auto parts. If the name is that of a licensed Class 3 manufacturer. ATF paperwork is required before re-converting. Hopefully, the purchaser is a Class 3 dealer and the gun is registered. Then, it is a unique and legal, if useless, collectible.

bob

[DASA]

Originally Posted by JCIN

"Hey did you know there was a fifty in here" as a guy pulls out an M2 receiver from the bottom of the box.

"I dont think the range is rated for this" while holding a Colt M203 launcher.

"Is there a 249 on the list? Cause there is one in the box."

Assuming you're not pulling our collective legs, why didn't you take a photo of this AWESOME box of firepower?
That's what I want to see! Sounds like the scene from Uncommon Valor when Gene Hackman and his team buy WWII surplus tommy guns and ammo stored in a big wooden box in the basement of a french restaurant.

Thanks for the photo of the Smith, it looks great with that short slide on the full sized frame.

[xcpd69]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Reading about the 5967, it would appear that the full auto modification was done after it left the factory. If so, couldn't it be restored to factory configuration and sold as a semi auto.

Frame would have to be destroyed. BATFE considers "Once a full auto, always a full auto."

[JCIN]

Originally Posted by red9

If it was a home conversion, you can re-convert it and find some deep water to dispose of the full-auto parts. If the name is that of a licensed Class 3 manufacturer. ATF paperwork is required before re-converting. Hopefully, the purchaser is a Class 3 dealer and the gun is registered. Then, it is a unique and legal, if useless, collectible.

bob

The gun is a legit Class III item and is registered. I am not sure if it is transferable to an individual or if its a post '86 dealer sample.

[JCIN]

Originally Posted by DASA

Assuming you're not pulling our collective legs, why didn't you take a photo of this AWESOME box of firepower?
That's what I want to see! Sounds like the scene from Uncommon Valor when Gene Hackman and his team buy WWII surplus tommy guns and ammo stored in a big wooden box in the basement of a french restaurant.

Thanks for the photo of the Smith, it looks great with that short slide on the full sized frame.

That scene is exactly what came to mind when we were going through it. Here is a shot of the top layer in the box...full auto AR lowers. Lots more fun was underneath.



Some of the lowers after we built them out along with an MP5SD, MP5K and HK 51.

[DASA]

SWEET!!! Thanks for the photos! I'm gonna have a smile on my face for the rest of the day!