Made a blunder with a G3 kit, need help with choosing another kit

lazyfortress · Mar 21, 2021

Before I begin, please excuse my ignorance. I need a lot of guidance with this new-to-me world of making guns.

Before checking Maryland state laws, I ignorantly purchased a H&K G3 parts kit, as I wanted to build a cool gun with my dad. Unfortunately, when I came to the local gunsmith today, I was informed that I can't legally build a semi-auto G3, and now I have a $500 parts kit that I can't assemble.

The gunsmith was kind enough to print out a list of banned H&K firearms, and I took a good look when I got home. Would a semi-auto HK51/MC51 build still be illegal in MD, as I believe it shares a few parts with the HK91/G3? If legal, the overall length of a HK51/MC51 is definitely under 29 inches. Would this still be legal if I got it registered as an SBR, or built a HK51K/MC51K (pistol conversion)?

If the HK51/MC51 build is still illegal, can I build a semi-auto G36K or a semi-auto MP5/40 in MD? I don't see a mention of a G36 or a SL8 in the MD banned firearm list, and I remember hearing that the MP5 is legal if you put a long stock on it and register it as an SBR, or if you do a MP5K build. However, the HK94 ban has me iffy.

Lastly, if either the G36K, MP5K or MP5/40 are legal to build in MD, which would be the easiest to find parts for and finish? My money's on the MP5, but maybe the G36K if I buy a receiver and have it sent to a FFL-licensed dealer (IIRC)?

Thank you for any advice! Again, apologies for my ignorance.

Edit: I was also thinking about a Mk13 Mod 5 or Mod 7 build, but I'm pretty sure the cost of this would exceed the G36 and MP5.

erwos · Mar 21, 2021

Can't build an SBR under 29" in this state. Could built it as a pistol.

ken792 · Mar 21, 2021

A G3K SBR would be legal since that meets the 29” OAL.

Pistol HK51 or MP5 builds are legal too, as long as you don’t build a direct copy of the SP89, since that’s banned.

JTH20 · Mar 21, 2021

SL8 G36 builds are legal. If you're looking to do a Mk13, these guys have the chassis, not cheap at all though: https://www.thoroughbredarmco.com/product/491/mk13-kit

calicojack · Mar 21, 2021

If worst comes to worse, you could sell the kit on Gunbroker to someone out of state.

atblis · Mar 21, 2021

I believe if you did a 15.9-in barrel and SBRd it you'd be okay.

lazyfortress · Mar 21, 2021

ken792 said:
A G3K SBR would be legal since that meets the 29” OAL.

Pistol HK51 or MP5 builds are legal too, as long as you don’t build a direct copy of the SP89, since that’s banned.

Wait, I can build a G3K? But isn't it illegal, since the HK91 is banned, as well as the G3? The gunsmithing shop yesterday wouldn't even touch my G3 parts kit. What makes the G3K legal, but G3 not?

teratos · Mar 21, 2021

atblis said:
I believe if you did a 15.9-in barrel and SBRd it you'd be okay.

This.

ken792 · Mar 21, 2021

lazyfortress said:
Wait, I can build a G3K? But isn't it illegal, since the HK91 is banned, as well as the G3? The gunsmithing shop yesterday wouldn't even touch my G3 parts kit. What makes the G3K legal, but G3 not?

The HK91 ban only applies to rifles.

MD considers anything with a barrel less than 16” to be a handgun, so your options are pistol or SBR with a G3K.

Bertfish · Mar 21, 2021

lazyfortress said:
Wait, I can build a G3K? But isn't it illegal, since the HK91 is banned, as well as the G3? The gunsmithing shop yesterday wouldn't even touch my G3 parts kit. What makes the G3K legal, but G3 not?

The SBR and pistol version of banned guns are not banned provided they meet the OAL requirement and pass the features test

What gunsmith turned down the work?

lazyfortress · Mar 21, 2021

Bertfish said:
The SBR and pistol version of banned guns are not banned provided they meet the OAL requirement and pass the features test

What gunsmith turned down the work?

Some small shop down in Havre De Grace, "Jack's Gun Works" is the name. I kinda don't want to go back. Any gunsmiths you'd recommend?

Robert2888 · Mar 21, 2021

Where did you find that kit at?

Bertfish · Mar 21, 2021

lazyfortress said:
Some small shop down in Havre De Grace, "Jack's Gun Works" is the name. I kinda don't want to go back. Any gunsmiths you'd recommend?

I've been to Jack's, he seemed a decent guy.

You'll find the smith at Duffy's to be damned good. They do a lot of class 3 too so they'll be versed in that.

lazyfortress · Mar 21, 2021

Robert2888 said:
Where did you find that kit at?

HKParts.net, I think they're a bit overpriced, but that was the only place I could find a G3 parts kit. The MP5 kits they have are hella overpriced, so I'd head on over to Gatewood Supply for the MP5 stuff.

gun_nut · Mar 21, 2021

I vote G3K with a brace. Sounds like fun.

lazyfortress · Mar 22, 2021

Just to clarify before buying the G3K conversion parts, I can definitely build a G3K (despite the HK91 ban) in Maryland legally? Can I buy the parts before I file the NFA form 1?

Rab1515 · Mar 23, 2021

SBR's are a rifle for the purposes of enumerated banned firearms, as well as OAL requirements. They are also pistols for the purposes of transport and HQL. You cannot make a banned long arm a SBR to make it legal. Case and point, you can have a light barrel AR pistol in .223, but you cannot have a light barrel SBR AR in .223.

ken792 · Mar 23, 2021

Rab1515 said:
SBR's are a rifle for the purposes of enumerated banned firearms, as well as OAL requirements. They are also pistols for the purposes of transport and HQL. You cannot make a banned long arm a SBR to make it legal. Case and point, you can have a light barrel AR pistol in .223, but you cannot have a light barrel SBR AR in .223.

SBRs are rifles for the purposes of the copycat test, but not for the purposes of the enumerated list.

Plenty of Marylanders still get 5.56 non-HBAR AR SBRs and 7.62x39 AK SBRs approved.

A manufacturer can make a banned rifle into an MD compliant SBR and transfer it on a Form 4 as well if it’s on the handgun roster.

Mike OTDP · Mar 25, 2021

I'd be tempted to build it into a pistol...but with a full-length barrel. Swap the endcap for a stock whenever you leave the state.

MG-70 · Mar 29, 2021

I like the G3, but don't find short-barreled .308s very fun to shoot. Save the G3 kit for when you move to a free state, and build yourself an AK or AR pistol. Alternatively, if you like the design of the G3, look for a Cetme kit or ready-built rifle; I think they're still "allowed."

Made a blunder with a G3 kit, need help with choosing another kit

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