The official SB281 Loop Hole Thread - How to get what you want after 1 OCT

Markp · Apr 29, 2013

PLEASE STICK THIS!!!

I keep seeing thread after thread about how everything is going to be banned, this is NOT the case. Please take a moment and read the law yourself, remembering that anything NOT specifically prohibited is ALLOWED. So there are a number of things that we cannot do anything about. If you want a rifle that is on the list of weapons to be banned, you will NOT be able to purchase that specific rifle legally after the ban goes into effect.

However you have alternatives and ways of working around this. Here are the points to remember, this list applies to specific weapons. If for instance the HK91A2 is listed and you want an HK91, you will still be able to buy an HK91A1 version of that same firearm. They are NOT the same. If a rifle is banned and a certain caliber is specified (e.g SIG 551 in .223) and you want to purchase a SIG556R in 7.62x39, you will be able to as long as it does not run afoul of the restrictions for copy cat weapons.

It is important to navigate the law carefully and I have created a flowchart to help explain what is and is not banned by this law.

Markp · Apr 29, 2013

THIS ONLY APPLIES TO FIREARMS AFTER 1 OCT 2013

If you purchased your weapon legally prior to this date, STOP HERE:
IT IS NOT BANNED BY SB281
There is nothing else you need to do.

1. Is the weapon in question a rifle, a shotgun, or a handgun?

Yes - Continue
No – STOP HERE: IT IS NOT BANNED OR AFFECTED BY SB281

Is it a shotgun that utilizes a rotating cylinder as a magazine?

Yes - BANNED
No – Continue

Is it a semi-auto shotgun with a folding stock?

Yes - BANNED
No – Continue

Workarounds:
Pin or replace the stock to a fixed stock

Is it a handgun with a fixed magazine with a capacity of more than 10 rounds?

Yes - BANNED
No – Continue

Definition: Handgun is any firearm with a barrel length of less than 16" in Maryland and includes SBRs and SBS's.

Workarounds:
Make the magazine detachable.

Is it a rifle?

YES – Continue to 2.
No – STOP HERE: IT IS NOT BANNED OR AFFECTED BY SB281

Definition: A rifle is a weapon designed to be fired from the shoulder discharging a single shot per trigger pull with a barrel > 16”

Firearms that are not rifles include:

Firearm over 26” without a shoulder stock – Not a rifle
Handgun – any weapon in MD with a barrel less than 16”
SBR – Not a rifle
AOW – Not a rifle
Machine Gun – Not a rifle
Receiver - Not a rifle

2. Is the rifle a semi-automatic centerfire weapon?

Yes - Continue to 3.
No – STOP HERE:IT IS NOT BANNED OR AFFECTED BY SB281

Workarounds:
Any banned semi-automatic rifle or any "copy cat" weapon that is no longer semi-automatic. (e.g. conversion to single shot by disabling or plugging the gas system.)
Any rifle converted to a fully automatic or selective fire machine gun through a legally registered auto sear.
ALL RIFLES THAT ARE NOT SEMI-AUTO and ALL RIFLES NOT USING CENTERFIRE AMMUNITION ARE NOT AFFECTED BY SB281

3. Is the specific make and model weapon on the list of banned firearms?

Yes – Banned
No - Continue to 4.

Workarounds:
Find a similar rifle with a different action. (e.g. AK-47 and Vz.58)
Find a similar rifle in a different caliber. (e.g. AR15 and AR-57, AR-10, etc.)
Find a similar rifle with the features of an exempted model (e.g. - AR-15 and AR-15 HBAR)
Build it in a non-rifle configuration

4. Is it identical to a weapon on the list of banned weapons (same caliber, same action, same features)?

Yes – Banned
No – Continue to 5.

Workarounds:
Find a similar rifle with a different action. (e.g. AK-47 and Vz.58)
Find a similar rifle in a different caliber. (e.g. AR15 and AR-57, AR-10, etc.)
Find a similar rifle with the features of an exempted model (e.g. - AR-15 and AR-15 HBAR)
Build it in a non-rifle configuration

5. Is the rifle under 29"?

Yes - BANNED, unless corrected
No - Continue to 6.

Workarounds -
Make it longer than 29" by adding accessories (Suppressor, Bayonet, Flash Hider, Sound Suppressor, muzzle extension, Folding stock, the shoulder thingie that goes up?)
Make it an SBR, an AOW, or a Machine Gun legally. (FORM1/4)

6. Is it a copy cat weapon?

YES - BANNED, unless corrected
No – STOP HERE:IT IS NOT BANNED OR AFFECTED BY SB281

Definition - Copy cat weapon must be a semi-automatic centerfire rifle capable of accepting detachable magazines with two or more of the following features: Folding Stock, Flash Hider, Grenade Launcher.

Workarounds -
Replace the flash hider with a muzzle brake.
Pin or replace the folding stock to make it fixed.
Remove the grenade launcher.
Convert it to use a fixed magazine.
Convert it to not be semi-automatic.
Convert it legally to be an AOW or SBR.
Convert it legally to be a machine gun.
Build it as a stockless firearm or pistol.

Markp · Apr 30, 2013

Don't LET them take your firearms away... READ AND USE this bad legislation to your advantage!!!

mward · Apr 30, 2013

Not smart to post this.

Markp · Apr 30, 2013

mward said:
Not smart to post this.

What, you don't want everyone to know what is and is not legal? I do, I want everyone to know that the weapons I have are legal and were obtained legally through the law.

Are you assuming that the people who want to take our guns are not smart enough to figure this out all by themselves? If so, that is the height of arrogance!

BeerHunter · Apr 30, 2013

Markp said:
What, you don't want everyone to know what is and is not legal? I do, I want everyone to know that the weapons I have are legal and were obtained legally through the law.

Are you assuming that the people who want to take our guns are not smart enough to figure this out all by themselves? If so, that is the height of arrogance!

Exactly! Thanks for posting MarkP. And BTW, excellent trade! (re: one of your posts in another thread).

Cai · Apr 30, 2013

Thanks for this I like the list format. Much better than some of the other books people have written.

Markp · Apr 30, 2013

BuzzardHunter said:
Exactly! Thanks for posting MarkP. And BTW, excellent trade! (re: one of your posts in another thread).

Thanks, I am extremely fortunate!

jtb81100 · Apr 30, 2013

mward said:
Not smart to post this.

It wasn't smart to post when the bill could still be changed. They'll find out what guns they missed and introduce a new bill next January no matter what we do so its time to stop acting like we have something to hide.

Name Taken · Apr 30, 2013

What a joke.

The first bill passed around 94 and the list was never updated.

They have no reason to update the list. They truly arent out to ban guns...they are out to pass a "gun bill" so they can continue on their political agenda's.

You dont think if they wanted a true "ban" they would at least go through the old list and take off the guns that were never made?

The bill wont change...they got their mission accomplished and will move on for a few years. They arent going to touch the topic again next year.

They did not even change the biggest gleaming issue of the "bans" which is how losely the magazine "ban" is worded. They know people are legally going out of state and buying them and that doesnt seem to bother them.

How long do you think you can keep all this a secret anyway? You dont think they might stumble into a gun store and say "Hmm I wonder why that's there". Thinking because it's put on a forum they will automatically catch it and care is rather silly.

Ab_Normal · Apr 30, 2013

Good write up. Doesn't seem to affect too many AR15's that are currently in production. :party29:

Inigoes · Apr 30, 2013

I'm still pissed about the grenade launcher. :mad54:

Ab_Normal · Apr 30, 2013

Inigoes said:
I'm still pissed about the grenade launcher.

Just carry the stand alone hand held concealable unregulated model.

EL1227 · Apr 30, 2013

Question on #5

5. Is the rifle under 29"?

Yes - BANNED, unless corrected
No - Continue to 6.

Workarounds -
Make it longer than 29" by adding accessories (Suppressor, Bayonet, Flash Hider, Sound Suppressor, muzzle extension, Folding stock, the shoulder thingie that goes up?)
Make it an SBR, an AOW, or a Machine Gun legally. (FORM1/4)

As I understand the above, a bullpup conversion of a Mini14 would make it banned, even though a stock Mini14 is >29" and not banned. Under the Federal law, a bullpup conversion needed to be 26" or longer, which the Muzzelite conversion advises.

Is my assumption correct, and does that mean they should be restored to stock configuration or add 3" to the length to be legal ?

Ab_Normal · Apr 30, 2013

EL1227 said:
As I understand the above, a bullpup conversion of a Mini14 would make it banned, even though a stock Mini14 is >29" and not banned. Under the old law, a bullpup conversion needed to be 26.5" or longer, which the Muzzelite conversion advises.

Is my assumption correct, and does that mean they should be restored to stock configuration or add @ 3" to the length to be legal ?

Just add a compensator.

Atlantic Firearms.com · Apr 30, 2013

FYI We ship a bunch of rifles to CA with the Bullet button conversions and are familiar with the details on the Fixed Magazines deal if anyone has questions . We see no work around for any rifle or shotgun that has a AK47 style action unless we are missing something.We have several AK rifles custom built for our firm so if we can figure out a way to make one legal we would consider putting it in production for MD customers.

Markp · Apr 30, 2013

Atlantic Firearms.com said:
FYI We ship a bunch of rifles to CA with the Bullet button conversions and are familiar with the details on the Fixed Magazines deal if anyone has questions . We see no work around for any rifle or shotgun that has a AK47 style action unless we are missing something.We have several AK rifles custom built for our firm so if we can figure out a way to make one legal we would consider putting it in production for MD customers.

Shotgun is not a problem, it just can't have a folding stock on an AK shotgun. The law never accounted for AK based shotguns, only rifles.

Now on the rifle, you are correct, you will not be able to build any SEMI-AUTOMATIC AK rifles in ANY caliber or ANY AK-47's in ANY CONFIGURATION.

One could build AK pattern rifles but they cannot be AK-47's, and they cannot be semi-automatic. Bolt Action with no gas system would be legal, it's simply no longer an AK if it does not have the gas system.

These are the soon to be banned AK pattern rifles.

1. Dragunov Chinese made semi–auto (who cares, only the chinese variant)
2. Valmet M–76 and M–78 semi–auto (who cares, only two specific models)
3. Galil models AR and ARM semi–auto (who cares, only two specific models)
4. AK–47 in all forms <- this one screws ANY original AK-47 ever made, specifically the AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle.* - See Note Below!
5. Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format <- This is a real bastard too. Because now caliber doesn't matter. If it uses the AK action and it's a rifle, it's DONE.

I would suggest suppressed bolt actuated AK pattern rifles would be nice. It would also be possible to convert an AK pattern rifle to a different action (e.g. blowback or DI) and it then is no longer an AK action, yet could still retain the semi-automatic nature of the rifle. Whether this is feasible is another story all together. My favorite idea is to have the Vz.58 platform modified to accept AK magazines, to me, that would be an awesome idea.

You will only be able to build AK action SBR's, AOWs, Firearms without a stock and an OAL > 26", and AK machine guns based on a receiver that is otherwise legally in the state. REMEMBER AK-47 is NOT the same as AKM!!! The AK-47 was only produced from 1956-1959, and yes, it matters. A little AK history!* - See below. It is important to clearly define what an AK-47 is!!! Trust me. Making the distinction is paramount to allowing us to retain AK style firearms in 7.62x39.

One might argue that these are AK-47's but they are, in fact, evolutions of the design and actually substantially different or the identification of Avtomat Kalashnikov semiautomatic rifle in any format would not be needed.

AKM, AKMS, AKMN (AKMSN), AKML (AKMSL), AK-103.

Remember, NONE of the follow are AK-47's, they are however AK action semi-automatic rifles, which is what makes category 5 so particularly heinous.

RPK, PRKS, RPKN (RPKSN), RPKL (RPKSL) <- RPK's are most certainly NOT AK-47's
AK-74, RPK-74, AKS-74, AK-74N (AKS-74N), AKS-74U, AKS-74UN, RPKS-74, RPK-74N (RPKS-74N)
AK-74M, AK-101, AK-107, AK-108, AK-105, AK-102, AK-104, PRK-74M, RPK-201, RPKM, RPK-203

These are most CERTAINLY not AK-47's

PP-19 Bizon in 9×18mm PM, 9×19mm Luger, .380 ACP; 7.62×25mm TT
PP-19-01 Vityaz (most definately NOT an AK-47)
OTs-14 Groza (most definately NOT an AK-47)

AK History:

AK-47: This is the original version that was approved for use by the Soviets. It fires a 7.62x39 mm. cartridge. It was originally approved for some Soviet forces in 1947, which is why the name has 47 after it.

During 1948-1951, it went into general production to be used by other Soviet military units as the Type-1 model. Unreliable stamped and welded receiver.
In 1952, the Type-II version was introduced, which had a chrome plated barrel and receiver to resist corrosion and wear.
The Type II and Type III The Soviets opted to use a receiver made of forged steel, which was milled into the final shape using various machining operations.

AKM: This is a popular variant of the AK family. This was created as an improvement of the original AK-47 design. The letter M in the name "AKM" stands for Modernizirovanniy, which is the Russian word for "modernized." The AKM design was developed in the 1950s and finally was approved for full production in 1959. It fires the same 7.62x39 mm as the AK-47 for backward compatibility. However, the design was much revised and enhanced from the original AK-47 to allow it to be mass-produced. The Soviets acquired modern mass production technologies and used those on the AKM.

Significant differences include:

Using rivets instead of welds on the receiver, in order to speed up production.
Improvements to barrel, gas ports etc. to speed up manufacturing and enhance reliability
Weight reduction of approximately 1 kg. (2.2. pounds)
Retains the chrome lined barrel and chamber of the AK-47 Type-2 variant, but the barrel is pressed and pinned. The AK-47 has a threaded barrel that is screwed into the receiver.
The AKM barrel is the first in the AK family to have a slant compensator to reduce rifle climb, when shooting in automatic mode.
Gas relief ports are moved forward to the gas block, instead of the gas tube.
Bolt carrier was lightened slightly. The wooden stocks were also hollowed out as well, in order to reduce more weight.
Sights on an AKM are calibrated to go up to 1000 meters. AK-47s are only calibrated to go up to 800 meters.
The AKM is parkerized instead of blued like the AK-47.
Uses different spring and trigger assembly for better safety.
Incorporated a hammer release delay mechanism for safety.

dblas · Apr 30, 2013

Markp said:
THIS ONLY APPLIES TO FIREARMS AFTER 1 OCT 2013

If you purchased your weapon legally prior to this date, STOP HERE:
IT IS NOT BANNED BY SB281
There is nothing else you need to do.

1. Is the weapon in question a rifle, a shotgun, or a handgun?

Is it a shotgun with a folding stock or a rotating cylinder?

Yes - BANNED
No – Continue

Workarounds:
Pin or replace the stock to a fixed stock

Hey Mark,

You need to update this and split the two items. Folding stock is for Semi-auto shotguns only. (Page 10 line 28 - page 11 line 1). The rotating cylinder does apply to any shotgun.

Pinecone · Apr 30, 2013

Ab_Normal said:
Good write up. Doesn't seem to affect too many AR15's that are currently in production.

How do you figure that?

jrumann59 · Apr 30, 2013

dblas said:
Hey Mark,

You need to update this and split the two items. Folding stock is for Semi-auto shotguns only. (Page 10 line 28 - page 11 line 1). The rotating cylinder does apply to any shotgun.

There is shotgunout there with a rotating cylinder that holds a total of 12-16 rounds 3-4 per tube in the rotating cylinder and I beleive the shotgun was semi auto and the shooter had to rotate the cylinder after every 3-4 shots. The name of the shotgun escapes me.

Article on it here:

http://www.americanrifleman.org/blogs/srm-arms-model-1216-gotw/

The official SB281 Loop Hole Thread - How to get what you want after 1 OCT

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