Building a semi-1919

O

ollie

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So what's it take? I'm speaking of the semi auto ones we see here. I gather from some net reading it's really not that difficult, and only involves minor machining of the internals, and a thicker RH side plate. Has anyone around here actually built thier own? Know where to get a kit to try it out? Maybe someone who owns one can give me the lowdown on what has been changed internally to make it SA only (is it still open bolt?) I've got a MG boner lately, and this seems like the most entertaining way to go about satisfying it...
 
I built one and got it registered. I ordered the semi-side plate from the US, from T&S manufactoring, I think that is who it was. Anyway, once you have the parts kit, semi-plate and semi trigger group, Ellwood epps will do all the work for you. I think the total cost of my 1919 was about $1,500 all told.
 
different trigger group eh? hmmmm. Does it come as a kit? Where? from who?! Does it still fire from open bolt? If you don't mind me asking, where did you find a kit? I think I'd rather put it together by myself if it's possible, seems like more fun! Thanks for the info.
 
go to 1919a4.com

every question answered getting the parts kits in canada is very hard you may be able import one

(sight has been up and down...)
 
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A dewat or converted auto could also be used to make up a semi auto 1919. If you found a F/A, or a C/A at a decent price, you could have the owner or a gunsmith remove the right sideplate and turn it in as a destroyed receiver...the rest is then just parts. Same goes for a dewat. Only problems with a dewat is that wou will (likely) also be looking for a new bolt, barrel, and possibly other bits and pieces.
Doing it this way may have a real plus. You may get some accessories with it like the tripod, T&E, pintle, bipod, tools etc. Otherwise, a tripod setup could end up running you $600 or more in todays market.

As contact points out, 1919A4.com really is the place to go for semi information.
 
Mauserman said:
I built one and got it registered. I ordered the semi-side plate from the US, from T&S manufactoring, I think that is who it was. Anyway, once you have the parts kit, semi-plate and semi trigger group, Ellwood epps will do all the work for you. I think the total cost of my 1919 was about $1,500 all told.
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Why so much money?!
The complete kit costs about 400$ right now........that's a 90% condition COMPLETE kit - Minus your side plate and tripod.

The side plate will be another 50-100$
that's 500$ so far..........the bipod you would or at least I am going to build for next to nothing...........I don't seem to see any information on needing a semi trigger group!

What work did epps do for you?

Other then some links and 50 crates of ammo, It really shouldn't come to more then 600$

Am I right.............Because I am ready to buy a kit LOL

thanks
 
Those kits are in the US. Getting one legally out of the US and into Canada could be an adventure. Probably the easiest way to obtain a kit in Canada is to buy a 12(2) or (3) Browning, and break it for parts as Stencollector has suggested. If you do it that way, one advantage will be that the receiver can be very carefully dismantled, without stray disc grinder cuts on the parts.
 
tiriaq said:
Those kits are in the US. Getting one legally out of the US and into Canada could be an adventure. Probably the easiest way to obtain a kit in Canada is to buy a 12(2) or (3) Browning, and break it for parts as Stencollector has suggested. If you do it that way, one advantage will be that the receiver can be very carefully dismantled, without stray disc grinder cuts on the parts.
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Oh hey now thats a great idea.........where does one score that around here?!

Thanks
 
Not as if there is a shop -1919s R Us - but the do turn up from time to time. If you don't have the correct 12(X) endorsement on your licence, the gun could go to an appropriately licenced gunsmith for dismantling.
 
Agreed........1919RU's lol

Ok I will keep my eye peeled!
Great idea really!

How about this O/T
What about those VZ58 parts kit........every thing minus the reciever, whcih can be bought for 200$ which is a 80% complete one.

Are those parts kit allowed into Canada?
I assume so since we got them every where locally!

Thanks
 
The semi auto Czech 58s in Canada came in as approved firearm imports. Parts kits would have to leave the US as machinegun parts - which are controlled for export purposes. The 80% receiver issue is a US situation, whether export/import would be a problem, I do not know. I doubt that there would be any financial advantage to trying to make up a kit over simply buying one of the rifles already in the country.
 
If you don't have the correct liscence, pay the current owner a healthy 99.9% security deposit and have it sent to the gunsmith/dealer for repair. Then have it dismantled.

But expect to pay at least $1100 minimum for a f/a or c/a 1919. Again, it will be the accessories that will make the deal worthwhile.
Then you have to get the semi auto trigger, the sideplate, and the rivet kit. Then have the sear slot milled for the semi auto sear. Also, areas on the right side of the bolt, barrel extension and accelorator will have to be milled to match the semi auto sideplate. To assemble the gun you will need a swaging block for the inside of the receiver, and the appropriate rivet attachment for your air chisel (or a 3 pound hammer will also do nicely). Now you have to refinish the whole thing. Then comes the really hard part: getting the FRT lab to look over the gun you built, approve it, and send it back to you before the Liberals get back in and ban all semi autos. The FRT lab is never in that great a hurry to get more guns out there, believe me. Especially homebuilt copies of full autos.

Suddenly, the $1500 price sounds pretty good. I paid full price ($3800) several years ago for mine, and don't regret it. There are several others in my area, and it makes for some real fun during some of the milsurp competitions.

There was a time when you could get the import permits and bring in the kits. But those days are long gone. The US is very anal about authorizing exports of anything related to machine guns. And without a import permit, in all likelihood Canada customs will sieze your goods, or even worse let it through and send the NWEST boys crashing through your front window in a few months time.
 
Hey sten, I couldnt of said that better my self.......You put things all into perspective.......Even for a machinist gear head like me. It will never be possible - Unless I fork over the cash.

And that is not logical for me........Far more important things hehe!

Thanks!!
 
VooDooMan said:
Unless I fork over the cash.

And that is not logical for me........Far more important things hehe!

Thanks!!
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MORE IMPORTANT THAN GUNS???? You do know what site you are on, don't you?

Theres a saying that is relevant to most branches of shooting, but especially to an ammo hog like the M1919: If you wanna play, you is gonna hafta pay. :)

Between the gun, all it's accessories, 20,000 rounds of ammo, and the Jeep with the MG cradle, I likely have 14 grand into this weapons system alone.
 
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stencollector said:
MORE IMPORTANT THAN GUNS???? You do know what site you are on, don't you?

Theres a saying that is relevant to most branches of shooting, but especially to an ammo hog like the M1919: If you wanna play, you is gonna hafta pay. :)

Between the gun, all it's accessories, 20,000 rounds of ammo, and the Jeep with the MG cradle, I likely have 14 grand into this weapons system alone.
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More important things like a hunting firearm and what not.........:50cal:
 
TIRIAQ;
You are quite right in saying "Parts kits (Vz-58) would have to leave the US as machinegun parts ".
Importing any full auto parts into Canada unless you have the permit to do so can be very exciting to say the least....
John
 
STENCOLLECTOR;
I must be fair, we import a wide variety of goods, many were not on the FRT when they arrived.
We can normaly obtain an FRT number with 5-7 working days, the fellows at the FRT lab have bent over backwards to assist us over the years, no complaints here.
As for bringing in anything deemen military from the US have a read on the latest regs.
I understand water pistols and sling shots are next on the "to be regualetd list....
John
 
johnone said:
STENCOLLECTOR;
I must be fair, we import a wide variety of goods, many were not on the FRT when they arrived.
We can normaly obtain an FRT number with 5-7 working days, the fellows at the FRT lab have bent over backwards to assist us over the years, no complaints here.
As for bringing in anything deemen military from the US have a read on the latest regs.
I understand water pistols and sling shots are next on the "to be regualetd list....
John
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Johnone what he means i believe is that if you submit a firearm thats home built or home assembled from a kit the rcmp gives you the runaround it seems to those of us who have tried that they change the rules as they go and make up new ones too. i really dont think they want to allow people to build thier own guns
 
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