Hey y'all. Haven't been here in a while; hope everyone's doing great and shooting clover-leafs (when one-hole groups get boring.) ;)

Ok, so my brother and I are both responsible gun-owners with spotless criminal records who are interested in possibly owning some Class-3 firearms or accessories. We're wanting to hear from some people who have been through the licensing process so we have a better idea of what we'd be getting into and where we could acquire firearms and other things once (or rather, if) we get licensed.

After doing some searches here on the forum, I don't see much discussion in this particular area. And indeed, I'm not sure what section of the forum it would be under. So if any members or moderators could point me in the right direction (including some external link if it's not a relevant or kosher topic here on the forum) it would be most kind.

Thanks in advance, guys.

-Phil

I've known a few people who have done it in Texas. Seems to depend on getting the law enforcement sign off, I'd inquire about that before you get too far down the road.

Other than that it seems to be paperwork and hurry up and wait.

I'm pretty sure it's a Federal deal, though. I dunno if I could go talk to state or local authorities about the license itself, although they might be able to refer me to the right federal office. Plus they could probably tell me about state laws that might apply to the use of such items.

I dunno, I don't feel too great about law enforcement in general. I've met some that are nice enough, especially in gun stores and at shooting ranges, so maybe they'd be cool if guns are the subject of our conversation; but in other arenas cops have shown themselves too often to be rude, hypocritical, and pushy. Bad enough for me and many law-abiders like me not to have warm, trusting feelings for 'em, anyway.

Of course I'm sure it sounds funny for me to say "I distrust law enforcement" at the same time that I say "I want to undergo a big-time background check with the Feds to get my Class 3 license", but there ya go.

Just thinkin' out loud.

Phil,
Here are some dealers.......
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Family/94/Class-3.htm

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/auctions.aspx?ab=241

http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/c/machine-guns-class-iii/cPath/175

Finding the weapons won't be too hard but they will be very expensive to purchase and even more expensive to shoot from anywhere between 400 and 800 rounds per minute. Then living in Houston the job will be finding a place to shoot such weapons. I too live in the Houston area and Amercan Shooting Center doesn't allow them. You almost have to have your own large parcel of property to be able to shoot these. Talking lots of money in Texas, no country left except in West Texas where there isn't any water or anything else.

Many years ago when I was lad I had a class 1 and 3 dealers license but alas no money. The licenses I let expire without buying anything. What a shame. I don't remember it being too hard getting it though.

Good luck,
Greg

Then living in Houston the job will be finding a place to shoot such weapons. I too live in the Houston area and Amercan Shooting Center doesn't allow them. You almost have to have your own large parcel of property to be able to shoot these. Talking lots of money in Texas, no country left except in West Texas where there isn't any water or anything else.

Many years ago when I was lad I had a class 1 and 3 dealers license but alas no money. The licenses I let expire without buying anything. What a shame. I don't remember it being too hard getting it though.

Good luck,
Greg


Yeah, ASC is cool but they only allow slow fire. I think they do allow Class-3 weapons, though,'cuz one night I was there (believe it or not) a dude had what looked for all the world like an M-16 with a grenade launcher. I don't know military weapons all that well, but his AR-15 variant had a selector switch marked "s" and (in red) "f", and below the barrel was either a grenade launcher or something made to look just like one. O_o I was surprised, to say the least.

And no, he didn't send any grenades downrange. :p

I believe I would have some places to shoot class-3's if I got any. I have friends and relatives with acreage in Schulenberg, Pattison, and out in New Mexico as well, so as long as they're willing it shouldn't be a big deal I don't think. And for now I'm looking more at full-autos and suppressors, not anything that would leave craters.

Thanks for the links, I'll check 'em out.

Phil,
That would stand for safe and fire. After 3 years of holding a membership with ASC, I know that they do not allow Class 3. There are pseudo grenade launchers being sold but are classified as flare launchers unless you are a class 3 license holder. It sounds like you have the land issue down though.
ASC has tightened up considerably since Dec. 20 of 07 after a man shot and killed himself accidentally while unloading his rifle from his SUV. It was loaded and the safety was off as he unloaded it from a hardcase by grabbing the barrel end. The trigger hit the hardcase and discharged into his chest. We pray for his family.

Take care,
Greg

ASC has tightened up considerably since Dec. 20 of 07 after a man shot and killed himself accidentally while unloading his rifle.


Ouch, I had not heard about this. Been awhile since I've been to ASC since moving NW. ASC has always had a pretty strict and safe regimen.

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread.

- GL

Some states do require you to have a permit as well as the federal tax stamp to own class 3. Any dealer in your state will be able to tell you the requirements for sure. I have had several dozen full auto's over the years and I found I had less of a problem with people when I shot them with a suppressor. It helps keep a low profile. I found a Dillon progressive reloader was defiantly an advantage.
The background check is just an F.B.I. Check.

The feds are going to approve it if you meet the requirements, probably slowly at best.

It is the local law enforcement signoff that is optional. Talk to a dealer in your area, and see if there have been issues. It can depend on who is currently in office.

Phil,
That would stand for safe and fire. After 3 years of holding a membership with ASC, I know that they do not allow Class 3. There are pseudo grenade launchers being sold but are classified as flare launchers unless you are a class 3 license holder. It sounds like you have the land issue down though.
ASC has tightened up considerably since Dec. 20 of 07 after a man shot and killed himself accidentally while unloading his rifle from his SUV. It was loaded and the safety was off as he unloaded it from a hardcase by grabbing the barrel end. The trigger hit the hardcase and discharged into his chest. We pray for his family.

Take care,
Greg

Yeah, I heard about the accident. It was pretty surprising; I mean I started going there in 2004 and every time I've been there they've made the same announcement that you can't uncase at your car. But I guess if it was your first time there you might make that kind of mistake. It's absolutely awful, though.

And speaking of awful things at gun ranges, one of my fellow students from Rice apparently killed herself at the Pasadena gun club a while back. I graduated in '06 so I didn't know her personally, but it was still terrible to hear of something like that happening to someone in the Shepherd School of Music. It's just not the sort of thing you expect.

Some states do require you to have a permit as well as the federal tax stamp to own class 3. Any dealer in your state will be able to tell you the requirements for sure. I have had several dozen full auto's over the years and I found I had less of a problem with people when I shot them with a suppressor. It helps keep a low profile. I found a Dillon progressive reloader was defiantly an advantage.
The background check is just an F.B.I. Check.

OK, I must be really tired tonight; because I had to read that reply several times before I realized that the "them" referred to the guns, not to people. I was like "whoah, someone on the forum has shot people??" O_o

Haha, sorry for the mix-up and thanks for the reply, man. Yeah, I have to say that so far it's suppressors I'm most interested in. I first got the idea when I was living in Oklahoma a year ago and patrolling my horse pastures and chicken coop nightly for predators or diseased animals. It was legal to shoot 'em, but I didn't like to think that I was waking or scaring the neighbors in the area when I did. It would be nice to know that I could shoot whenever without bothering or alerting anyone, and yeah, I imagine it helps especially when you're shooting full-auto guns.

Heck, I didn't know until maybe two years ago that you could legally get 'em and shoot 'em, so before that time if I'd heard someone doing some machine-gunning I might have been tempted to call the cops or whatever too.

How far are you going to be shooting at night? FYI, you can load cast bullets at fairly low velocities and they aren't loud at all. Did some 210gr. bullets in my .35 Rem and they were hardly more than a firecracker pop, yet would go through an inch of plywood.

How far are you going to be shooting at night? FYI, you can load cast bullets at fairly low velocities and they aren't loud at all. Did some 210gr. bullets in my .35 Rem and they were hardly more than a firecracker pop, yet would go through an inch of plywood.

Probably not very far at all, since I don't have any night vision equipment.

Well, here's a hint for the .35 Rem and cast bullets - between 2.7 and 3 grains of Bullseye, and as much polyester pillow stuffing as you can get in the case. Crimp with a Lee Factory crimp die.

A little less trouble than applying for a tax stamp, cheaper, and will get done a lot sooner!

Well, here's a hint for the .35 Rem and cast bullets - between 2.7 and 3 grains of Bullseye, and as much polyester pillow stuffing as you can get in the case. Crimp with a Lee Factory crimp die.

A little less trouble than applying for a tax stamp, cheaper, and will get done a lot sooner!

What's the twist in your barrel? Seems like that load would come out at walking speed. Or perhaps the idea is that loads that slow being shot at targets that close don't need to be the most stable.(?)

My main varmint gun right now is the Ruger 10/22 (standard), and what ammo I've been able to find that was "low noise" wasn't all that quiet. If there is somebody point me toward it please. Aside from that, the only thing I'd consider for pests would be my .22-250 Savage 12FV, but with a 12" twist I doubt I could cook up anything quiet that would shoot worth a darn. Plus that mother's pretty heavy and only has a scope on it; not the best thing for walkin' around with at night lookin' to shoot skunks.

Phil, NFA items (class 3) aren't real difficult to get permission for; they require a $200 federal tax stamp and law enforcement sign-off, unless you purchase them through a trust or LLC, then it is just the tax stamp.

I suggest you visit www.silencertalk.com (http://www.silencertalk.com), and do some searches. The ATF Form 4 is the one you will need to fill out for either a silencer or machine gun. All the information you need to know is documented on that forum.

About 600 or so fps, depends on barrel length. I haven't tested them for accuracy to any extensive degree, but shot one at a foam deer target at about 25 yards. It hit where I was aiming and the hole was round.

Not sure what the exact twist rate is, but it's a 20" barrel and seems to make a full turn in a little less than barrel length. Probably 1-16" if I had to guess.

The bullet was Marshall's 210gr. LFNGC.

If the neighbors are close, ricochets might be a concern. A .22 may be a better option, on critters that small. A nice Marlin 39 with some .22 short hollow points would surely do?

Phil, NFA items (class 3) aren't real difficult to get permission for; they require a $200 federal tax stamp and law enforcement sign-off, unless you purchase them through a trust or LLC, then it is just the tax stamp.

I suggest you visit www.silencertalk.com (http://www.silencertalk.com), and do some searches. The ATF Form 4 is the one you will need to fill out for either a silencer or machine gun. All the information you need to know is documented on that forum.

Very cool, thanks!

I wonder how a person could get new guns, like the MP7 when it comes out. Make friends with a soldier stationed in Germany?

I wonder how a person could get new guns, like the MP7 when it comes out. Make friends with a soldier stationed in Germany?

I know man, that's one of my biggest questions too. I guess we gotta hit some gun shows and make friends with dealers so we can get their secret sources. 'Cuz darn it, I really want one of those. Or a P90, perhaps.