Hello all, my name is Justin, and I'm currently on my second deployment to Iraq. I called my dad yesterday to wish him a happy birthday and he informs me that about 2 weeks ago he picked up an H&K SP-89 and was going to give it to me once I return home. Now, I've done a small amount of research on the weapon and from what I've seen it's a nice piece of work. I'm not new to guns by any means, but I've never owned one other than my Army issue Colt M4. What goes in to owning one of these "sport pistols", and I want to put a buttstock on it to make it practical. And from what I understand that will make it a SBR, what goes into that? I'm stationed in Texas, and once I get out of the Army I'll be moving up to Boston, MA. Hopefully you guys can give some insight on what I'll have to deal with paperwork wise. Thanks!
HK SP-89
- Thread starter Bcamos
- Start date
Ready.Fire.Aim
UZI Talk Life Member
Justin,
As a starter, thank you for serving our country. We appreciate you.
I have an HK SP89 that I'm registering as a SBR to use as a host gun for a full auto pack. I have 20+ NFA items, also live in Texas and if you have questions you can PM me and I will give you my email and should be able to answer your specific questions.
You will need to complete & get approved a BATFE FORM 1 before installing a stock (which makes it a SBR). Approval takes approximately five months. The tax for a Form 1 is $200.
Once approved by BATFE you can install a stock and forward grip. Do not take a chance at getting caught with a stock or forward grip installed without an APPROVED Form 1. The consequences can be a Felony and a large fine for having an unregistered NFA item.
If you live in a major metropolitan area's county (Houston, SA, Dallas, Austin) you will probably not get a Chief law enforcement officer to sign your Form 1 paperwork. That will leave you with the option of forming a Trust or LLC. Email if you have questions.
As far as Boston gun laws, they are draconian but I don't know the specifics for NFA items. My guess is you will probably have to have a Texas relative or friend store it for you but I don't know that as a fact.
www.HKParts.net is a great source for SP89 / MP5K parts (like stocks) and magazines. Adam runs a good store and is very helpful.
Also www.hkpro.com is an active forum for SP89 / MP5K information. The guys on the forum are very helpful
stay safe,
RFA
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A&S Conversions
UZI Talk Life Member
As above, thank you for serving our country. Please stay safe and come back in one piece.
Just to be clear, most SP89 pistols were imported after the '89 Non Sporting Use ban, which is still in effect. I'd suggest you look up 922(R). If your SP89 was imported after '89 then 922(R) would apply. My understanding is any "non sporting use" rifle made from a post '89 made or imported receiver should have no more than 10 foreign made parts out of the listed parts. It is a felony, so I take it very seriously, even though the odds of being caught are very low. Part of the SP89 appeal is all German parts, so properly converting the SP89 would loose some of its collector value. Once the SP89 is converted to a rifle, my understanding is it can't go back to being a pistol.
Mass law governing SBRs requires that you get a machinegun license through the Chef of Police of the town you live in. These are very difficult to obtain. Politically Mass. is very anti gun. There are lots of towns that the Chef won't issue License to Carry permits. If you want a carry permit in one of those towns, you have to take the Chef to court. Then take them back to court for every renewal. Five years ago there were only a little over 1,000 machinegun licenses in the whole state. They are issued at the digression of the Chef. All LEO that use a NFA weapon in the course of their duties have this license. So there are very few issued to collectors. If you are going to live in Boston proper, they don't even allow Class A (CCW) permit holes over 10 rds in the mags, even if the mags are pre ban. BTW Mass still has a state law that was fashioned after the National Assault Weapons Ban. No new mags over 10 rds (must be pre '94). There is also limitations on handguns. It would not be easy, if even possible to take a SBR with you to Boston. Again, stay safe. Good luck with the project.
Scott
Just to be clear, most SP89 pistols were imported after the '89 Non Sporting Use ban, which is still in effect. I'd suggest you look up 922(R). If your SP89 was imported after '89 then 922(R) would apply. My understanding is any "non sporting use" rifle made from a post '89 made or imported receiver should have no more than 10 foreign made parts out of the listed parts. It is a felony, so I take it very seriously, even though the odds of being caught are very low. Part of the SP89 appeal is all German parts, so properly converting the SP89 would loose some of its collector value. Once the SP89 is converted to a rifle, my understanding is it can't go back to being a pistol.
Mass law governing SBRs requires that you get a machinegun license through the Chef of Police of the town you live in. These are very difficult to obtain. Politically Mass. is very anti gun. There are lots of towns that the Chef won't issue License to Carry permits. If you want a carry permit in one of those towns, you have to take the Chef to court. Then take them back to court for every renewal. Five years ago there were only a little over 1,000 machinegun licenses in the whole state. They are issued at the digression of the Chef. All LEO that use a NFA weapon in the course of their duties have this license. So there are very few issued to collectors. If you are going to live in Boston proper, they don't even allow Class A (CCW) permit holes over 10 rds in the mags, even if the mags are pre ban. BTW Mass still has a state law that was fashioned after the National Assault Weapons Ban. No new mags over 10 rds (must be pre '94). There is also limitations on handguns. It would not be easy, if even possible to take a SBR with you to Boston. Again, stay safe. Good luck with the project.
Scott
Yeah I'm slowly starting to realize how rare an all matching parts German made HK is. I don't know what year it was imported, is there a way to check this with the serial? I wont be moving into the actual city of Boston, I'll be in Braintree which is right outside. Are you suggesting that I keep it a pistol? From what I've read relocation of out of state pistols is prohibited in the state of Massachusetts. But there are no real laws against SBR's as long as they're legal. Since the state of Ma says no assault rifles, and defines a rifle as something with a 16"+ barrel. So an SBR doesn't fall under that.
Look up the HK numbering system on HKpro.com. Your SP89 will have an ID, IE ect. I means 8, D means 3 ect ect.
An all German Parts HK is not rare at all. matter of fact they are preferred.
If your gun is newer then a 1989 than just have an Urbach 3 lug barrel installed to reduce parts count by 1.
You might as well send it in the TSC Machine to have it converted over to the MP5K PDW
What would be the point of converting to an MP5k? If I convert it to anything, I'd rather convert it to an HK94 with a 16.5" barrel just to make things easy on me. But I think I'm going to go with doing the trust and get my SBR stamp done. There's another guy here going through the same thing with a 9mm AR-15 with a 7" barrel, so he's pretty much going to be able to walk me through things. I appreciate all of the advice from everyone. Thanks
SP89 is not a rifle and there for 922(R) "non sporting use" doesn't apply.
The HK platform doesn't allow easy convertible pistol to rifle and back again, but if you wanted to you could as long as you stay within ATF dimension guidelines between each classification.
Don't worry about it Bcamos your HK SP89 pistol is 100% U.S. legal...!
Last but not least Thank you for your service!
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dprice3844444
Banned
black-market-parts.com
abundigas
UZI Talk Life Member
I live in Ma, Have an SBR and Full Auto, and I can not even be sure how you would go about bringing that into the state. I think it would be best to leave it in Texas as a pistol till you get to MA. and then get your License squared away. Then since you already own it, you can bring it into the state, and register it with an FA-10. then SBR it if the cheif is willing.I am not an attorney, so seek some other sources for info. I would suggest getting on Northeastshooters.com, their are some Knowledgeable folks there. One is LENS (SCREEN NAME) I think he is an attorney in MA. that does alot of firearms work. I tend to trust his opinion. I'm sure alot of folks will tell you alot of things, but remember it is the web,everyone is an expert but few of them will be at your side during the your trial..
Dont bother with converting it to a 94. If your heart is set on a 94, sell the 89 and buy a 94. You will probably make a little money on the deal, since 89s are usually worth more than a 94. But, going with a trust and SBRing it sounds like a better idea. Good luck!
A&S Conversions
UZI Talk Life Member
He said "I want to put a buttstock on it to make it practical. And from what I understand that will make it a SBR" in his original post. The last I knew Title 2 (SBR) or Title 1, a rifle has to conform to 922(R). While it would be possible to go from a Title 1 pistol to a Title 1 rifle configurations, most people don't have a 12 ton press to press out the pistol length barrel and press in a rifle length barrel. (I don't know where you could find a HK style barrel 16" long that is the right profile to match up with a "K" length cocking tube.)
Scott
Urbach U.S Made 8" Fluted Barrel Extension. 1/2 x 28 & ½ x 32
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/Urbach-8-Fluted-Barrel-Extension-1-2-x-28-6p1942.htm
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/Urbach-8-Fluted-Barrel-Extension-1-2-x-32-6p881.htm
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/show...eStyle=H&resultCnt=50&keyword=fake+suppressor
If he doesn't want to go the SBR route he can always add a extension or a fake suppressor. Some gunsmithing require to complete the process to comply with 922(R)...and some of those gunsmith own 12 ton press which customizing a front sight for a HK94 barrel wouldn't be completely out of of the box thinking.
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/Urbach-8-Fluted-Barrel-Extension-1-2-x-28-6p1942.htm
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/Urbach-8-Fluted-Barrel-Extension-1-2-x-32-6p881.htm
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/show...eStyle=H&resultCnt=50&keyword=fake+suppressor
If he doesn't want to go the SBR route he can always add a extension or a fake suppressor. Some gunsmithing require to complete the process to comply with 922(R)...and some of those gunsmith own 12 ton press which customizing a front sight for a HK94 barrel wouldn't be completely out of of the box thinking.
Lxpony
Well-known member
NOT TRUE- A Machine gun license and the appropriate ppwk to get an SBR in MASS are two separate things. PM me if you want more detail.
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