First Full Auto - Considerations

[az_outlaw]

Good afternoon all,

I have finally saved up enough (almost) for my first full auto UZI. I am not new to the NFA world as I have some suppressors and SBRs, but this will be my first full auto.

When browsing listings, I see some that have been converted to full auto, Vector arms, etc. I guess my question is there anything NOT to get or warning signs? Would appreciate any info or link perhaps.

Thanks all, appreciate any and all info.

 

[chili17]

My preference would be an IMI gun brought to SMG spec. As long as the blocking bar has been removed you are good to go. I would avoid any registered receiver with the blocking bar still in.
Vector guns are OK. Some can be problematical. Based off of what I have seen, I would guess about 15% have issues with the receivers. Might be more, might be less.
I would avoid a registered bolt. Most are out of spec and can be a pain to get working. I am sure someone will chime in and say their bolt runs 100%, I just have never seen it.

 

[rhouston8]

read the uzi conversion article in the site's library for starters.
you have a few options from least desirable to most (with price reflecting that)
1. reg. receiver with a married bolt. blocking bar in place
2. registered bolt in a host gun
3. reg. receiver - no blocking bar

ALL IMIs have been "converted". The only conversion element that cant be performed now is removal of an existing blocking bar. Other stuff can be rectified/modified/improved in general.
Vector and GI Uzis were built ground up as machine guns BUT were out of spec. The vast majority of these guns have been "repaired" or run fine now.

Bolt guns are fine IMO if you are OK without having option of caliber changes. Just make sure to verify function before purchase.

Expect to pay in the roughly $11,000 range for a full auto Uzi.

 

[az_outlaw]

read the uzi conversion article in the site's library for starters.
you have a few options from least desirable to most (with price reflecting that)
1. reg. receiver with a married bolt. blocking bar in place
2. registered bolt in a host gun
3. reg. receiver - no blocking bar

ALL IMIs have been "converted". The only conversion element that cant be performed now is removal of an existing blocking bar. Other stuff can be rectified/modified/improved in general.
Vector and GI Uzis were built ground up as machine guns BUT were out of spec. The vast majority of these guns have been "repaired" or run fine now.

Bolt guns are fine IMO if you are OK without having option of caliber changes. Just make sure to verify function before purchase.

Expect to pay in the roughly $11,000 range for a full auto Uzi.

Thank you for the great info, I appreciate it. It seems like I am seeing prices from 12-14k. I will do more digging around.

 

[mattnh]

All good advise above. It is a buyers market
Might as well get a RR without blocking bar.
I don’t think IMI vs Vector matters....
I wouldn’t worry about +\-~1k price
Find the right gun with a known seller

 

[fortyfive1911a1]

I would also recommend picking up a copy of Dave’s book.

http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?85929-The-UZI-Book-Order-a-copy-now!!!

 

[az_outlaw]

Thank you, will do!!

 

[wrongrecroom]

Yep stick to a non blocking bar gun ..Learned that the hard way

FYI a lot of sellers dont post pics of the inside of the gun or dont get the whole bar thing ..No joke when I was looking at FA uzi ask the seller can it be used other caliber etc etc yeah its fine he said ..It still had the blocking bar which really limits options

Get a RR gun with no bar and you will be happy ..

And yeah as noted everthing but the bar can be fixed latter one to bring it to UZI spec if needed .

 

[mattnh]

I would also recommend picking up a copy of Dave’s book.

http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?85929-The-UZI-Book-Order-a-copy-now!!!

+1 on that - book really is awesome

 

[pmf]

I wouldn't necessarily rule out a registered bolt gun for the right price. I have a RR Vector. I have 22 and 45 conversion kits. I never use them. I gave up on tinkering with the 22 kit. It just got too frustrating. The 45 kit works perfect, but it also makes you realize why Thompsons are so heavy. Other drawback is that possibly you can't use surplus parts from a cut up parts kit as replacements. I bought 4 kits years ago. They're still 100% intact. It's a really robust weapon. The steel the bolts are made with is so hard you can't even scratch it.

Whatever you do, it's a good time to buy one.

 

[az_outlaw]

Thank you all, great advice.