What one company is doing about the AWB and its possible Sunset

Armalite website ^ | unk | Mark A. Westrom

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The ArmaLite® Post-PostBan ™ Rifle Program

Fact: Unless reauthorized or replaced with a worse program, the Assault Weapon Act of 1994 will expire in September, 2004.

Possible outcomes are:

“Reauthorization,” i.e. no change in the law.
Replacement with a worse law, even to the possibility that production is halted.
Expiration of the law.
Expiration for only a short time, and then be reauthorization or worse.

The AW Ban is a cosmetic law, and we’d all like to own rifles without the blemishes that it established. If the law expires, there’s plenty of time to wait for a new rifle with “pre-ban” characteristics. If any of the other three outcomes occur, a delay could be a real mistake. The purpose of the PPB program is to prepare purchasers for any outcome.

The program offers customers a way to avoid the risk of delay, yet also have the benefits of a change in law. The opportunity is provided by the design of ArmaLite’s® 2003 rifles.

1. Beginning immediately, ArmaLite® 2003 rifles (with a pinned muzzle brake, or none installed) ship with a certificate that will provide customers a pin-on flash suppressor and installation instructions at no charge. Unless earlier legislation makes it illegal for customers to install the device, flash suppressors will ship in summer 2004 to allow time to get the rifle modified even if there’s an opportunity of only a few days.

Until the law changes, the flash suppressor will provide a reminder to every customer that it is essential to get out the vote in 2004.

2. For customers who wish to go an extra step and install a bayonet lug, ArmaLite® will continue to sell pin-on sight bases with bayonet lugs, and will provide installation instructions for gunsmiths. All ArmaLite® clamping front sight bases are easily removable, with no pin-holes in the barrel, so pin-on bases can be easily installed.

3. For customers who wish to be able to convert their rifle to a “Pre-Ban” configuration immediately upon expiration, ArmaLite® will produce and sell AR-10™ collapsing buttstocks (the AR-10™ requires a special collapsing buttstock). It is likely that prompt installation of such a buttstock will allow customers to make other changes at a more leisurely pace.

Installation of options 2 and 3 both are already available for law enforcement customers (with proper rifle markings). Civil customers must await a change in the law, and flash suppressors, bayonet lugs, and collapsing stocks will all be accompanied by clear information about the law to prevent a violation.

4. Pre-2003 rifles with pinned front sight bases or threaded-pinned-welded brakes, or customers who wish threaded brakes on 2003 models instead of pinned ones, require gunsmith or factory replacement of those parts. ArmaLite® offers the components for sale, and will perform conversions at normal shop charges.

Mark A. Westrom
President

[556x45]

Maybe...depends on the type of plastic they use. I have a little experience w/ both and prefer the steel of the originals. However, its only a nit. This rifle is head/shoulders above the ar15. Its so much cleaner, simpler and lighter. Youre making a really good choice! BTW when the ban sunsets I hope they eventually have uppers w/ folding stocks. Those rock when youre in tight!

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Folders aren't a big deal with me, as the piece will be primarily a "fun gun". I use my 12-gauge for the housework.

I've handled the 180, and I agree...its balance and "feel" are superb. I hope that, like Kimber did before, that it forces the other companies to produce such "low cost-high-value" rifles.

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Here's another thread with lots of different gun stuff, plus a lot of pics, posted by yours truly.

[Squantos]

Unless yer going 7.62 from these guys or Reed Knight's SR25 I have to suggest Bushmaster for all yer AR needs.

As to this story.......I plan on getting new uppers with a bayonet lug and regular flash supressor and a couple dozen C-Mag's and a hunnerd or so 30 rounders for all my AR's M1A's , Mini-14's , AK's and FN's. Not because I need em .......just because I can......:o)

Any company with an overseas operation would or could gamble on the AWB dying on the vine and start manufacturing HiCap magazines "now" without the sure to be a collectors item "LEO USE ONLY" HiCap logos. Ready for sale as the sun rises on our beloved republic again..........hopefully. Personally I plan on dropping some serious coin on my possible future needs to preclude my shortages brought about by my stoopid "it could never happen here" attitude.

But a warning to all of these companies that will prey on my desire to restock my magazine closet with new........DO NOT PRICE GOUGE US ! during the feeding frenzy or else . Gone should be the day forever when one can trade 8 new hiCap beretta magazines for a new beretta pistola.

Stay Safe LC !!

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Thought you might like this. Come on over!

[Eastbound]

"The campaign the graboids will unleash with all the dough they're husbanding right now will be like nothing we've ever seen, though."

You're probably right. Let's hope they are not stupid enough to stage any shootouts.

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Sad to say, I wouldn't put it past them...after all, as I said, there's pride and credibility (not to mention fundraising) on the line. And in the world of politics, it helps to remember: "Death is infinitely preferable to dishonor, as long as the death is someone else's".

Failing that, they'll be just thrilled to do their blood-dance in any mass shooting that occurs, regardless of the weapon used.

[Travis McGee]

“If it gets to the president’s desk, and he signs it, [that] would be a campaign issue like you wouldn’t believe,” said Pratt. “It would put gun owners in a real foul mood.”

This huge error would cost Bush his presidency, as millions of RKBA advocates stayed home or voted 3rd party in protest.

[Shooter 2.5]

I heard of wealthy people who own tanks just as they also own classic cars. No one goes to a car show and automatically thinks of the drunken driver carnage. Why is that?

[Travis McGee]

The Second Amendment to the Constitution has NOTHING to do with hunting. It has everything to do with this picture below, showing a disarmed people, and the results.

Over 100 million disarmed people were murdered by their own governments in the 20th century, more than in all wars combined.

Did you not know that, or don't you care?

Or do you say "we're different, that could NEVER happen here?"

(That's what all those murdered people said too, before they were loaded on the boxcars and marched in lines to the mass graves to be shot.)

[556x45]

LOL! Folders ARE fun and the 18/180 in particular. I should have been clearer...I was thinking more of moving vehicle work rather than buildings.

Its really sad that the 180 didnt catch on (only in a few 3rd world countries) b/c the design is superior. Youre quite right about the cost/value ratio. I suppose 1st worlders wanted something more sophisticated and cosmopolitan and the 15 met that requirement. In a 'high need' situation Id go w/ simple/cheap anytime and the 180 is a perfect fit.

[Hat-Trick]

Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful picture, perfectly illustrating the Rhoderic's of the world. Thanks again.

Hat-Trick

[Noumenon]

Brrring! Brring! Clue phone - it's for you.

The Second Amenedment isn't about hunting.

[Noumenon]

It's great to see one of the ZZ Top band members reading your book...

Sharp Dressed Man bump.

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I read somewhere that the 180 was considered to replace the 16 back in the late '60s, but since they'd already comitted to it, the Army decided to stick with Colt.

Ironically, the XM-8 rifle that's slated to replace the M16, which thread I linked to above, uses the 180's operating system.

[harpseal]

Errr, this might be a stupid question but why would anyone want to have such a weapon? Where does this stop? Should we encourage selling outdated Army tanks to the general public? And please . . . don't say it's for hunting.

I would suggest you read the Second Ammendment and the United States vs Miller opinion. These are "militia" arms by definition and everyone is in the militia. These rifles are used for target shooting, pr4actical shooting, national match shooting and just taking out to the range for a day of fun. Yes they can be used for varmint shooting but their primary use is to be held by the people of the United States of America to keep politicians in line. If politicians should decide to completely engage in tyranny then the realization that there are several million of these rifles out there (or similar rifles etc.) will give them pause because the benefit of their tyranical rule will probably be outweighed by the cost of trying to impose it.

It has a great deal of similarity to the Fleet in Being concept of naval warfare. The simple existence of an enemy fleet one may well be able to defeat ties down assets that might otherwise be employed.

[harpseal]

Is that clear enough, or do you need to get metaphorically slapped across the face with a wet fish?

Can we just club him to a bloody pulp and save the wet fish for a snack? :^)

[dansangel]

Thank you for the ping ((((LC))))

Ping to (((FP))) and ((((backhoe))))- FYI

[harpseal]

If GWB signs an extension of the Assualt Weapons Ban then he will not be re-elected. Already he has lost a lot of support because of the economy and teh extension of Clinton trade policies under his administration. This would cost him dearly among many of his most ardent supporters in teh last election and gain him nothing among the so called middle of the road voters who will be voting for the Democrat anyway.

I will not support GWB if he signs such an extension and I am certain I represent a whole lot more people who feel the same way and it will be a close election.