Questions on neutering an M1A - Pre-ban to Post-ban

[minuteman1970]

What would be involved in 'neutering' a pre-ban M1A which currently has a bayonet lug and flash hider?

I believe that both are now illegal in New York State and that it would need to be in 'post-ban' form.

Any thoughts on around how much it might run to have a gunsmith perform this sort of work?

Thanks.

 

[eldon519]

I believe the flashhider and bayonet lug are both connected to the front sight which is just held on by a castle nut if memory serves me correctly. If you removed it, I suppose you could have a gunsmith cut off the flashhider and mill off the bayonet lug for you or you might be able to find a pre-neutered front sight with such mods already. If you can use a muzzlebreak instead of a flashhider, I know products like that do exist sans bayonet lug.

 

[Jim Watson]

I believe that under the 1994-2004 AWB SA made a dummy flash hider. It had no bayonet lug and only shallow cosmetic grooves instead of slots. I expect they will reintroduce it for NY sales, maybe nationwide depending on the provisions of the Biden Ban.
You might give them a call and see if they have some left from the previous ban.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Pull the hider and install a "Smith" muzzle break. Shoots better, less dust-up, looks good and eminently not AW looking.

It's the "California" thing to do.

Even after I left California I left the Smiths on my rifles - being that hppy with them.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

don't forget that your muzzle brake will need to be pinned and welded to be legal

 

[TurtlePhish]

don't forget that your muzzle brake will need to be pinned and welded to be legal

Not necessarily. If the threads are a pitch not common with any existing flash hider, the brake can be a removable thread-on. This pretty much necessitates a custom job, though, and whether or not it's worth it is debatable. Plus, if anyone manufactures a flash hider with that thread pitch, it makes the rifle an assault weapon by law.