Semi-auto M1919?

[heypete]

Argh. Firearms may or may not be inherently evil (ask the GFWs... ), but they sure are terrible on my pocketbook. Now that I've had foot surgery and am simply lazing around the house browsing THR, GunBroker, etc. I've found something for me to lust after: a semi-auto Browning M1919.

Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they classified as C&R, or as new firearms requiring an FFL01? It sure would be a nice thing to take out of my dinky little Honda car and lug onto the range, though I can't imagine it'd be very good for my pocketbook (either the price of the gun or the quantity of ammo I'd want to throw through it).

Also, I've seen these chambered in their original .30-06, .308, and 8mm Mauser. I can understand why they'd be chambered in .308, due to cheap surplus ammo. However, I'm not personally familiar with 8mm Mauser ammunition other than its use in Kar98 rifles (which I'll probably pick up with my C&R -- any good sources/specific models I should buy? Original German? Yugoslavian?). How does it compare to the .30-06/.308? Is there more of it available on the surplus market? Cheaper?

 

[Trebor]

They aren't C&R. The sideplate is the receiver. They require a new sideplate to be manufactured to be semi-auto, hence they are new guns.

The good news is that they aren't restricted as full-auto weapons, since they are made from the ground up as semi's. State laws do apply.

8mm Mauser is incredibly cheap right now. It's all corrosive, but just clean right away and that won't be a problem.

Personally, I'd get one in 8mm or .308 before I'd get one in .30-'06. You could also get one barrel in each with whatever else you'd need to swap them out. I'd consider that strongly if I got one in 8mm since you never know when the surplus ammo will dry up, but .308 will always be around.

 

[50 Freak]

I had one a few months ago. Didn't like it. Sold it after firing about 100 rounds through it. It's extremely heavy at 40 something pounds in A4 (bipod) configuration. More if you plan to get a tripod.

Get it in 308. You can always buy an adapter to convert it over to the other calibers. In 308 form it is cheap to feed.

Not to mention, belt feds are still legal in Cali (as I see your from the Bay Area)