New Here looking for first SMG

[CQB762]

First off Hello…
I have always wanted a UZI SMG since my first introduction to one over 23 years ago at a one day Uzi training class. The class was held at Front Sight Near Las Vegas. I was bitten by the bug. I attended dozens other classes over the early years at FS. I really liked the 4th of July weekend with 5 gallon buckets of 9mm ready to shoot.

At the time I lived in a state where I couldn’t own one so I bought a Vector Arms semi auto that I still have. It’s fun to shoot but it’s not a SMG. Now that I’m retired and in the great state of ID I’m starting my search.

? my first choice is to look for a Vector because I saw how they held up with hard use at a training facility over the years. Should that still be my first choice or are other Group industry guns as good or better? Not trying to start a Ford v Chevy thing.

 

[Chef]

In a "Ford -vs Chevy" thing, you left out Chrysler. In this example, Chrysler will represent IMI, the original manufacturer of the UZI.

 

[Slowmo]

An IMI gun will be the best made of the three.

 

[StenAtopia]

An IMI gun will be the best made of the three.

 

[glockman]

An IMI gun will be the best made of the three.

Unlike the Chrysler represented in the example...😱

Bolt guns tend to be a little less expensive. Then you could have a IMI, a Vector, and a Group Ind. and swap the bolt between the three. No guarantee that said bolt will run in all 3, but hey..

 

[CQB762]

In a "Ford -vs Chevy" thing, you left out Chrysler. In this example, Chrysler will represent IMI, the original manufacturer of the UZI.

No disrespect to Chrysler especially since I drive a Ram HD with the CTD 👍

Thanks for including IMI... I’m just starting the process and will definitely look at them.

I have a Vector semi and a really nice SA parts kit with barrel that I picked up +/- 15 years ago. So I was leaning that way based on my spare parts.

 

[Slowmo]

The vast majority of IMI full-auto Uzis will be conversions. There is some great info on this site about conversions. Registered receivers are generally the most desirable conversions (over conversion bolts and sears). The main think to watch for there is that the restrictor bar has been removed and the bolt is not slotted. Pretty much everything else can be fixed or converted by a good smith (John Andrewski comes to mind).

Conversion Info

 

[gorillastomp]

The registered bolt just doesn’t appeal to me. I have seen a few that have been damaged after years of use.
The registered receiver with the blocking bar removed is the king of conversions. The other details like the barrel ring easy to fix. I don’t care if it still uses semi barrels they are just as easy to acquire. But cutting the ring down allows surplus bolts which is a must in my opinion.

As mentioned above use the library here to educate yourself. A receiver is near impossible to destroy. Vector receivers were known to have a banana shape due to the hardening process. Some have some major problems. An IMI semi conversion is pretty hard to beat.

 

[CQB762]

Thank you to all that responded, I’m glad I found this great resource.

 

[Slowmo]

Gorillastomp got it right. It’s generally called a “blocking bar,” not a “restrictor bar” as I had previously said. Got the terminology mixed up in my head with the “restrictor ring” that receives the chamber end of the barrel.

 

[mike]

I’ve been running a registered bolt for over 20 years with no issues and shows minimal wear. It’s great because you could move it around to different host guns. If you can pick one up at a reasonable price, wouldn’t be a bad thing. The only downside is you can’t run 22 LR’s in it.

 

[Chef]

That begs the question, why would you need to move the bolt around to different hosts? Once you have a functioning host, there's no reason to want to move it. It's not like you could ever wear out the host.
It's not a Hk sear and you can use it in anything from 9mm to belt feds.
Without extensive work and mods, you can't even use the bolt in different sized UZIs.
And losing the ability to shoot .22 is a huge deal.
As ammo prices climb, .22 may be the only thing we can afford to shoot very soon.

 

[mike]

I guess it’s just personal preference. I have two hosts and I use one as a back up. On a registered receiver, specially on the vector arms guns I’ve read a lot about back plate welds breaking trunion welds breaking. I even had a feed ramp break loose on my IMI Model A. and had to send it off to be repaired, which took a very long time. Yes it would be nice to shoot 22 but that’s the price you pay for a registered bolt. Sure if I had a choice I’d sure as hell take a registered receiver over registered bolt but I had no choice at the time and I’m very happy to have what I have.

 

[gorillastomp]

The two registered bolt repairs that I have seen personally. Firing pin damaged and the other was a supporting ring on the bolt face ring. I guess it all comes down to who did the bolt and how. Just as Chef mentioned it takes away all caliber conversions.

 

[mike]

Anything can be repaired given enough time and money.

 

[Slowmo]

Anything can be repaired given enough time and money.

I generally agree, but the NFA throws some wrinkles into the mix. For example, if somehow you nuked the registered component in a way that obliterated the serial number, you’ve got a problem. Someone could theoretically fix it and make it nice, but the guys able to do so probably won’t touch it.

 

[GreaseGunner]

I’d personally go with an IMI conversion gun that has had the block bar removed. Its not a huge issue if the trunnion is still setup for “semi auto” barrels as it’s a 5-10 minute job to machine the barrel to fit and personally I like the machined feed ramp as it give more support to the back of the barrel. The restrictor ring isn’t that big of an issue as having one spare bolt will most likely last you a lifetime.

Biggest thing with an RR gun is you can set it up with multiple calibers-9mm, 22lr, 45acp, 41 AE (if you are rich) and even 40 S&W. Its one of the few SMG platforms you can do this with that is sub $20k and you don’t have to constantly mess with (like a MAC)

 

[CQB762]

All good information
just stating to look around and from my first glance it looks like a IMI RR is a little less expensive than a Vector. But a few k more than a RB. So it seems to be the middle ground and best value during my limited search.

 

[mattnh]

You are on the right track of getting a RR over a registered bolt gun.
You will be happy with either a Vector or IMI.

 

[pmf]

What's the difference in price between a RR and a RB? I have a Vector RR. Bought it 23 years ago. I've never replaced anything in it. I had a 22 kit, but I could never get it to work that well. I have a 45 kit, but I can't remember the last time I used it. That kit runs 100%, but it'll remind you why a Thompson is so heavy. The uzi was made to shoot 9mm, and that's what it does best.