[MrBi11]

I recently joined another firearm site. the first post I made was in a thread about the TV show Myth Busters.

I'd like to know how they did the 'quick shooter' episode where they wired an electric motor to the revolver to make it rapid fire.
Making a class III weapon has been baned since '86.
Having one in commiforinia is big taboo.

Why are they above the law?

Would you attempt to attach a motor to a gun to test it's rapid fire rate [for entertainment reasons only]?
I'm sure a buncha of guys in black ninja outfits would be visiting soon.

The first comment I got back was:

Nothing wrong with attaching a motor to a revolver trigger. What is illegal is when you modify a firearm so that one pull of the trigger fires multiple rounds.
That motor would have pulled the trigger for each shot fired.

Now it's my understanding that if you did that the 'switch' controlling the motor becomes the 'trigger' there for making it a full auto. I've search the BATF site looking for this ruling but have had no luck.

Could anyone point me in the right direction to get the rulings? I've not replied to the comment there, as without information [prefered from a .gov site] I'll just be the 'newb' stiring the pot.

Thanx

 

[Crankfire Systems]

Bill,

You are correct on the "Activation" device being Re-designated as the "Tigger of Record" by the BATFE Tech Folks. I have no idea how to find the relevant govt documents, but this position is couched in both their "Rulings" and in "Case Law". The court case involved the fellow that built a "Gatling" gun out of several 10-22 Rugers that revolved on a carriage powered by an automotive starter motor, controlled by a switch. As each guns's trigger passed over the trip piece, that gun fired one shot. The on/off switch was designated as the "Trigger". Needless to say he LOST in court.

HTH
Emory Jones

 

[jmann]

I have to say, a gatlin gun is not nfa, but a gatlin gun with an electric motor spinning it most definitely is. So is a crankfire with a drill chucked onto it. I see no reason why the revolver would not be also. Heck if a shoelace and rubberband is a no-no and a spring is bad enough to get letters sent to everyone that bought one, then I got to think the nerd on mythbusters ought to get at least a letter of warning from atf.

 

[alamosaddles]

I have to say, a gatlin gun is not nfa, but a gatlin gun with an electric motor spinning it most definitely is. So is a crankfire with a drill chucked onto it. I see no reason why the revolver would not be also. Heck if a shoelace and rubberband is a no-no and a spring is bad enough to get letters sent to everyone that bought one, then I got to think the nerd on mythbusters ought to get at least a letter of warning from atf.

I think the answer can be for someone to send mythbusters a letter outlining the violation of the law, and asking them under what authority they did what they did.

 

[UncleDad]

Heck if a shoelace and rubberband is a no-no......

Has the rubber band method of bump firing been determined to be a machinegun too? Also, I heard that the shoelace rulingmay have been overturned? Anyone?

 

[Pirate]

I think the answer can be for someone to send mythbusters a letter outlining the violation of the law, and asking them under what authority they did what they did.

Why don't you get right on it and also tell them we want to see kari in a bikini more!!!

 

[COPE]

Why don't you get right on it and also tell them we want to see kari in a bikini more!!!

+1 on Kari in a bikini! Did you see her in FHM Magazine?

Seriously though, I would assume that they got some kind of waiver to do the experiment. They have ATF and FBI guys on the show almost every time that they do one of the gun experiments.

 

[Lone Ranger]

I recently joined another firearm site. the first post I made was in a thread about the TV show Myth Busters.



The first comment I got back was:



Now it's my understanding that if you did that the 'switch' controlling the motor becomes the 'trigger' there for making it a full auto. I've search the BATF site looking for this ruling but have had no luck.

Could anyone point me in the right direction to get the rulings? I've not replied to the comment there, as without information [prefered from a .gov site] I'll just be the 'newb' stiring the pot.

Thanx

Would you maybe be thinking of Ruling 2004-5 - M134 "minigun", et al are MGs?

 

[hagar]

I think most of you must be too young to realize that getting by with anything questionable is accomplished in one of three ways. Knowing someone high up,
Hollywood, government or God. Usually in that order.

 

[GUNRUNNER5150]

didnt they use a cap and ball BP pistol in that episode? I would think that could make a difference eh?

 

[MrBi11]

My question isnt about what mythbusters did, its about motorizing a firearm [thus converting it to a class III device] and where to find a copy of the ruling.

 

[hagar]

My question isnt about what mythbusters did, its about motorizing a firearm [thus converting it to a class III device] and where to find a copy of the ruling.

I can't tell you exactly where to find the ruling but it is and has been a fact for several decades that adding an electric motor to a rotating barrel or semi automatic gun to increase the rate of fire is considered illegal by the BATFE.

 

[alamosaddles]

I can't tell you exactly where to find the ruling but it is and has been a fact for several decades that adding an electric motor to a rotating barrel or semi automatic gun to increase the rate of fire is considered illegal by the BATFE.

Hagar, I think that ruling doesnt stop at a semiautomatic firearm. If you attach an electric motor to a revolver, I would think you are looking at the same violation.

Lone ranger commented on this law I believe.

 

[Joe Hinson]

Hollywood is not always above the law when it comes to NFA weapons. The TV show "Wanted Dead or Alive" with Steve McQueen was nearly put out of production when the ATF came to confiscate the short barrelled Winchester '92's that bounty hunter Josh Randall used as a side arm. They had not filed the proper paperwork and registered them as SBR's. The studio head, I think it was Jack Warner, made a quick call to some friends in Washington and the whole thing went away after the quickly processed paperwork came through.

 

[alamosaddles]

Hollywood is not always above the law when it comes to NFA weapons. The TV show "Wanted Dead or Alive" with Steve McQueen was nearly put out of production when the ATF came to confiscate the short barrelled Winchester '92's that bounty hunter Josh Randall used as a side arm. They had not filed the proper paperwork and registered them as SBR's. The studio head, I think it was Jack Warner, made a quick call to some friends in Washington and the whole thing went away after the quickly processed paperwork came through.

hehe..i bet if you or I tried that, the only things to go away are the sbr that was not registered, and you or I.......

 

[tomt]

response

hagar !!!!! I LOVED THAT ONE !!!!! sorry about the yelling !!!!. tomt

 

[Webleys]

My guess would be that they either have a manufactures license themselves or have someone available that does. This would not be unusual or hard to do; they are a special effects shop.

 

[KpdPipes]

I think pretty much ALL of their firearms stuff is done under the supervision of the San Fran PD, who, I believe DID make the notification to ATF and got the permission to do the build, with the caveat that it would be dismantled and destroyed after the episode was shot.

 

[MrBi11]

Again, I don't care about mythbusters, that what started the topic on another site.

What I am looking for is the ruling about motorizing a firearm for rapid fire. I know it's forbidden, I have no desire to do anything like it, but want to see a document [preferably off a .gov site] stating it, so I can show this person who said there is nothing illegal about it, proof otherwise.

The comment he made may lead uninformed people to think they can attempt this, and could cause them a bit of inconvenience, if they try it.

Thanx


And I don't think SFPD is above the firearms protection act of 1986 banning the civilian manufacture of any fully-automatic weapon [there can still be post dealer samples]

 

[hagar]

Hagar, I think that ruling doesnt stop at a semiautomatic firearm. If you attach an electric motor to a revolver, I would think you are looking at the same violation.

Lone ranger commented on this law I believe.

Technically the Gatling gun is a single shot weapon as each barrel has its own receiver and only fires one round in its turn and that makes it even more rudimentary than the revolver.