Permanent but reversible way to convert an AR to "bolt-action"

TRaTSeRiF said:
I don't mind doing my own work on many things, but in this case, we're dealing with a paper-thirsty bureaucracy, another man's gun and the man is willing to pay for the work ;)
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I wasn't saying you weren't. That being said you obviously aren't worried on how to make it legal, more like what is required to make it legal.

I'm not sure you are going to find a legal opinion on a canadian forum to a chilean legal problem. You can export the AR as it is. Your chilean friend may have a problem importing it though. I'd suggest he get legal advice from the chilean source and let you know himself. He is the one running the risk mostly.

Finding someone here that is well versed in chilean gun law and customs law might be difficult.
 
Not to mention, he is likely not the first Chilean to lust after an AR15. I bet every angle of this has already been explored. Tell him to buy a FAMAE and be happy :)
 
Actually in this thread I was worrying about the technical details because I'm simply not familiar with the platform. In the other one I was asking about the legalities of getting it out of Canada. He knows how to get it into Chile.. The biggest snag is that they usually don't see us as a source of guns, so there are probably like a handful of AR's in the entire country, mostly brought in by US expats.

There's no way he could get a FAMAE as a civilian. Semiauto centerfire and afaik they don't sell a non-autoloader. Otherwise I'd be on a .30cal 540 like white on rice ;)
 
TRaTSeRiF said:
Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to ask someone at the club to take apart their AR so I can see how they tick

andrew3081: Oh it would DEFINITELY be done by a gunsmith. I wanna have paper records including a proper receipt. This is a completely white deal. Has been done in the past but not very frequently as not too few people wanna blow 2g's on a gun they're not really gonna be shooting the way it's meant to be shot unless they're out of the country.

Edit: It looks like welding the port on the gas block might do the trick and it can be drilled out by a gunsmith when he's out shooting abroad. Even if he has to buy the occasional extra block, that seems to be the least damaging alternative. Any thoughts?
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Talk to any gunsmith that makes parts for AR's (Dlask, S&J, ATRS) and have them build and sell you a gas block with no hole drilled. This will prevent the rifle from cycling and you can just swap a functional gas block with gas tube back onto the barrel when you take it somewhere you are allowed to have a semi auto. Having both gas blocks set up with set-screws or pinch bolts instead of pinned to the barrel will make it easier to switch when you need to. You won't need a gunsmith to do the swap as it is very simple to just switch the gas block and gas tube.
 
Hard to say because of the laws in Chile, but the best way is to replace the barrel with one that doesn't have a gas port - but they're really hard to get. You'd have to get someone to custom make it. Or at least get a regular barrel and weld up the gas port and then refit the front sight.
 
fenceline said:
Deja vu? I thought this was already a thread haha.

Just removing the gas tube has one problem. The gas port on the gas block points straight back at the shooter. It would need to be plugged or blocked too.
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Sorry about the necromancy but since I'm exporting an AR for my own use in the same country, knowing a bit more about the AR gas system, how about this one..

Cut the gas tube short (just leave a couple of inches), crimp the cut end. That way, any gasses escaping through the gas tube would be minimized. I can even run some solder, caulking or epoxy down there. That should prevent it from gas cycling and I'm not seeing any other issues?
 
the only way to make it both "permanent" and "reversable" is with lots of gas system and barrel changes (assuming they need non ported barrel to be deems permanent)

so either you just take out the gas system and plug the hole,

or you have one permanent bolt upper, and one permanent semi upper (in a diff country)
 
Easiest, slightly permanent, way would be to install a gas block without provision for a gas tube, and without the connecting port. If the rifle has a clamp on gas block, this would be straightforward. Remove the gas block and gas tube. Replace with another gas block, which has had its gas tube hole and connecting ports threaded and plugged. Plugs could be set in with high strength sleeve and bushing locker. Gas port in barrel would be irrelevant.
Make sure the original gas block does not accompany the rifle.
 
Look if you really really want to do it and be 100% confident, get one of these: http://www.southern-gun.co.uk/

No gas port, the carrier key is solid, he makes them himself. Personally I think he's a bit anal about the whole subject but in your situation there is zero doubt of legality.

Alternatively get a gunsmith to make you a barrel, it's not brain surgery if there is no gas port or front sight, you just need the extension and a barrel blank.

They can also make a solid carrier key I would have thought, the dimensions aren't critical if it's just being used to #### the rifle using the cocking handle. They could even spot weld it onto the carrier.
 
Thanks for the input, guys. Basically, the test on importing is me declaring the action type ("manual") and them testing it at the range to make sure it operates safely and doesn't auto-cycle. Looking for the cheapest and easiest way to fix it so I can go back to semi-auto should I get back to Canada or should the laws change. The issues I was wondering about are more along the lines of functionality instead of legalities :)

So I'm assuming that cutting the gas tube a couple of inches away from the gas block and sealing the end pointed towards the BCG would make it straight pull bolt action without any anticipated issues when it comes to safety/operation?
 
TRaTSeRiF said:
So I'm assuming that cutting the gas tube a couple of inches away from the gas block and sealing the end pointed towards the BCG would make it straight pull bolt action without any anticipated issues when it comes to safety/operation?
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I dont think this is your best course of action, this can literraly blow up in your face so to speak.
the welded (or twisted) gas block method is more sound and just as easy
 
If you use an AR with a quick change barrel system, you could have an AR barrel without a gas system made and install it on the rifle for inspection. This may passs the local regulations, but possesssion of the 2nd barrel with gas system may be prohibited.
 
The simplest and quickest way to do what you are proposing is to remove the gas tube from the gas block. Then turn the gas block around and install it backwards. In this manner the gas port in the block and the barrel will not line up thus no high pressure gas will escape the barrel. Returning the gun to SA function is as easy as reinstalling the gas tube and mounting the gas block in the proper orientation.
 
P0WERWAGON said:
get another bolt carrier and plug the inside of the gas key. just swap the bolt carrier when you want to shoot semi.
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Not a good plan, its going to want to push the carrier back but not where it's supposed to. Could cause all sorts of issues, and possibly cycle the gun.



Suputin has THE best option here, if it's a low pro gas block; take it off, swap it around to block the barrel gas port and away you go.
 
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