M1 Garand, Beretta BM59, M1A questions

R

rifleman762

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
54   0   0
Location
Southern Alberta
I need to complete two Garand receivers and was thinking of converting one of them to accept M14/M1A magazines. I have my own machine tools to do it. However, the Beretta BM59 is the same idea and it is prohibited by name. If I take a Beretta Garand receiver and modify it to accept M14 mags, am I making a BM59 variant and getting a free ticket to prison? Or is it just a modified Garand? The BM62 was a semi-auto civilian version and is not listed in the prohib list. But probably deemed a variant of the BM59.

On the other hand, an AR180 or variant is prohibited but the AR180B is not considered a variant so it is NR. As is the WK180C based off that rifle.

Why is everything so difficult when it comes to the Firearms Act? It ought to be scrapped. Who can I ask in the RCMP who could give me an educated and honest answer to the Garand/BM59 question?
 
Then again, the XM231S pistol (an M16 pistol developed for shooting out the ports of a Bradley) is prohibited but other AR-based pistols are not? Or are AR pistols all banned in Canada and I just haven't noticed?
 
can14 said:
Make a BM59E. Which is an M1 Garand converted to take 20 round
magazines. SARCO INC has the parts etc
Click to expand...

The BM59 Mk E is listed as a prohibited firearm. But, yes, I was thinking of ordering parts from Sarco. The only question is: does my Garand receiver become a prohibited BM59 after it's modified or does it remain a non-restricted M1 Garand?
 
It appears to me to be the same as modifing an sks to accept a magazine. It would be a modified garand receiver with a 5 round mag, not a BM59. The BM59 clone is better looking than the BM59E, hard to find barrels though.
 
What does the receiver stamp say - generally, that's what the gun is considered to be. Like chopping a Valmet Hunter and making an M76, Galil or R4 replica out of it, doesn't make it prohib.
 
Can't modify a mag to fit in a gun, no laws against modifying the receiver. The receiver is a garand, end of story according to the firearms act
 
Beretta made five round BM59 magazines. Many of the barrels and op rods were cut down Garand parts. You could make it a short m1 and use the Italian stock. That way it would be 8 shot instead of five in 308.
A lot easier to build except it would be restricted.
I enquired about 18.5 inch "Garand tanker barrels" but no one will do it
 
The Garand barrels look like they are a lot of work to machine but I think I'm up to the challenge. The Acme-looking barrel thread shouldn't be too bad. I have a 30-cal 11.25 twist Green Mountain barrel blank to work with. 18.5" barrel works quite well for a 308. Are the BM59 mags different than the M14 mags? I was doing some reading and sounds like they are not interchangeable... If I kept the Garand clip I'd make it in 30-06. I don't have a 30-06 yet, believe it or not.

HSATimmy, there is no law generally against modifying a magazine but you have to be careful it doesn't turn into an overcapacity semi-auto centerfire magazine. Like the E-Lander A1A magazines in an M1A. They only become prohibited when modified because you are redesigning it into a 10 round semi-auto magazine instead of a bolt action. If you pinned it back to 5 you are ok. But that would be pointless. If you took a 5 round semi mag and modified it to fit a different rifle no one would care.
 
I just had a thought... If I'm going to the trouble of machining the receiver and fitting new magazine, why not make it fit an Accuracy International bolt action magazine?? Hmmmm... More research and measuring. This build isn't going to happen soon because I have other projects but I need a plan.
 
can14 said:
Beretta made five round BM59 magazines. Many of the barrels and op rods were cut down Garand parts. You could make it a short m1 and use the Italian stock. That way it would be 8 shot instead of five in 308.
A lot easier to build except it would be restricted.
I enquired about 18.5 inch "Garand tanker barrels" but no one will do it
Click to expand...

You gotta look for someone who will import garand guy's kits from the USA. They're roughly $900 usd and he does the mods for you. There are companies like irunguns who do this, just not them apparently
 
rifleman762 said:
The Garand barrels look like they are a lot of work to machine but I think I'm up to the challenge. The Acme-looking barrel thread shouldn't be too bad. I have a 30-cal 11.25 twist Green Mountain barrel blank to work with. 18.5" barrel works quite well for a 308. Are the BM59 mags different than the M14 mags? I was doing some reading and sounds like they are not interchangeable... If I kept the Garand clip I'd make it in 30-06. I don't have a 30-06 yet, believe it or not.

HSATimmy, there is no law generally against modifying a magazine but you have to be careful it doesn't turn into an overcapacity semi-auto centerfire magazine. Like the E-Lander A1A magazines in an M1A. They only become prohibited when modified because you are redesigning it into a 10 round semi-auto magazine instead of a bolt action. If you pinned it back to 5 you are ok. But that would be pointless. If you took a 5 round semi mag and modified it to fit a different rifle no one would care.
Click to expand...

Bm 59 prohib
Bm 62 is listed in the FRT as a variant SO ALSO PROHIB
Even though they are both are a variant of the m1 so only the 59 should be prohib

I have built a number of carbine length NR m1's I'll do a bm clone at some point in 308 but there is really no point in my opinion to go bm mag and go from 8 to 5 round if I were doing the box mag version I would go m 14 with AIA mags and most of the rest bm parts.
Let me know if you need bm parts

Pm / text me if you want more info on short barreling m1's

G
604 240 6249
 
Beretta Armorer said:
I have built a number of carbine length NR m1's I'll do a bm clone at some point in 308 but there is really no point in my opinion to go bm mag and go from 8 to 5 round if I were doing the box mag version I would go m 14 with AIA mags and most of the rest bm parts.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at photos and dimensions of the DSDF AI AW-pattern mags. They give a bit more OAL (2.98 vs 2.88") than M14-pattern mags and are designed for a bolt action, just like the AIA mags. Nobody makes a 20 rd AW mag. Yet... Retention is also by a protrusion on the back of the mag at close to the same height as both the BM59 and M14. The mag catch could possibly be modified to work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom