M1S90 pre or post-ban serial #?

[mpthole]

Hey all -

Where would I go to find out if a particular serial numbered Benelli M1 S90 is pre or post-ban? There is one at the local shop for a screaming good deal (if its pre-ban).

 

[DragonRider]

Check it at HKPRO.com in the longgun forum. Good luck

John

 

[DragonRider]

Is it marked imported by HK or Benelli? That would be the first clue.

 

[mpthole]

I know that its marked H&K on one side of the receiver, but can't remember if it specifically says "imported by" or not.

Its setup to be a hunting gun. Long barrel, no extended magazine and a standard stock. I'm wondering if its pre-ban so that someone could put all those "evil" features on it... plus, I think it might raise the price a bit. They're asking less than $550 for it.

 

[Gary G23]

Somewhere around M198xxx was the cutoff point.

 

[dwestfall]

Its setup to be a hunting gun. Long barrel, no extended magazine and a standard stock. I'm wondering if its pre-ban so that someone could put all those "evil" features on it... plus, I think it might raise the price a bit. They're asking less than $550 for it.

Not to be a complete anal-retentive but technically the s/n doesn't determine if you can put "evil" features on it or not. If it had the evil features before the ban then you can put them back on. Otherwise you can't, regarless of when it was made.

So the S/N will definitely tell you if you CAN'T but it won't tell you if you CAN. But if the S/N shows it was made before the ban it might be difficult to PROVE either way -- both for you and for the prosecutor.

IMNSHO, "The law is stupid" should be an affirmative defense.

 

[mpthole]

dwestfall: understood. I had kind of forgotten about that provision of the law. Thanks for the reminder. Either way, I think its become a moot point as I've decided there are other things I'd rather have than another shotgun. FWIW, HKPro.com had serveral threads on the subject already. One of those threads had a link to a site that has compiled lists of serial #'s for most of the major manufactureres effected.

 

[dwestfall]

FWIW I'd buy it for $550 either way. Come September 2004 you should be able to put all the evil features on it anyway.