I looked at the 556 SBR yet the 553 seems more closely related to the 552. Thank you for your info ahead of time!Looking into first SBR purchase resulting in import question
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Fockewulf8
- Pot Shot
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- Joined: Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:38:54
Looking into first SBR purchase resulting in import question
Hi everyone. I have been thinking of purchasing a rifle for some time now, including looking at SBRs. Yet I have not found anything that really REALLY peaked my interest until I found out about the SIG553-US. I recently called SIG and they reported no present plan of making it available in the US. I know the civilian SIG553s over in Europe are Semi-Auto I believe and I was wondering if they could technically be considered SBRs over here? If it would meet the requirements of a SBR in VA would it even be possible to obtain a SBR license, purchase a 553 in Europe, and have it imported here to VA as my registered SBR? I know it might sound crazy but I wanted to ask personal users before going to the ATF :X I looked at the 556 SBR yet the 553 seems more closely related to the 552. Thank you for your info ahead of time!
I looked at the 556 SBR yet the 553 seems more closely related to the 552. Thank you for your info ahead of time!
Re: Looking into first SBR purchase resulting in import question
SBRs are non-importable for the general public.
However, you have several options if you're willing to spend the money (I'm talking well into the four figures) and the time (months at best, years at worst). The first is simply to obtain a demilled 553 kit and have a Sig 556 rebuilt with that kit. I have no idea what a 553 kit would go for - the last 552 kit I saw was about 2.4k, I expect the 553 being newer and even rarer would run significantly more. You would also have to budget for having a competent smith do the build. I only know of one doing those kinds of builds though there may be others; he's very good and very expensive. Don't forget to make sure you have enough US-made parts!
Another option is to hook up with a FFL08/SOT01 who's willing to jump through the hoops to import one of those semiauto 553s - provided that it does not meet the definition of a machinegun in the US (just because it's semiauto in Europe doesn't mean it isn't a machinegun here). You can then either (a) have it demilled and proceed as noted above, or (b) remove or permanently extend the barrel to remove the firearm from the purview of the NFA. You can then either Form 1 it or have a competent manufacturer turn it back into a SBR and Form 2 it. You're still on the hook for compliance parts either way, and if you opt to remove the barrel, you may not reuse it, it must be discarded (you can sell it, but it can't end up back on your gun).
The third option is to become a FFL, pay the SOT, and get one of the imported semis (again, assuming they're not actually machineguns under US law). The firearm is known as a dealer sample in that case. You can keep it when you give up the SOT. Going this route is problematic because if you're not actually in business as a dealer ATF will yank your license and you've got a chance of winding up in the dock for tax evasion.
I'd suggest going to a forum that's more geared towards these sorts of issues.
However, you have several options if you're willing to spend the money (I'm talking well into the four figures) and the time (months at best, years at worst). The first is simply to obtain a demilled 553 kit and have a Sig 556 rebuilt with that kit. I have no idea what a 553 kit would go for - the last 552 kit I saw was about 2.4k, I expect the 553 being newer and even rarer would run significantly more. You would also have to budget for having a competent smith do the build. I only know of one doing those kinds of builds though there may be others; he's very good and very expensive. Don't forget to make sure you have enough US-made parts!
Another option is to hook up with a FFL08/SOT01 who's willing to jump through the hoops to import one of those semiauto 553s - provided that it does not meet the definition of a machinegun in the US (just because it's semiauto in Europe doesn't mean it isn't a machinegun here). You can then either (a) have it demilled and proceed as noted above, or (b) remove or permanently extend the barrel to remove the firearm from the purview of the NFA. You can then either Form 1 it or have a competent manufacturer turn it back into a SBR and Form 2 it. You're still on the hook for compliance parts either way, and if you opt to remove the barrel, you may not reuse it, it must be discarded (you can sell it, but it can't end up back on your gun).
The third option is to become a FFL, pay the SOT, and get one of the imported semis (again, assuming they're not actually machineguns under US law). The firearm is known as a dealer sample in that case. You can keep it when you give up the SOT. Going this route is problematic because if you're not actually in business as a dealer ATF will yank your license and you've got a chance of winding up in the dock for tax evasion.
I'd suggest going to a forum that's more geared towards these sorts of issues.
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Fockewulf8
- Pot Shot
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:38:54
Re: Looking into first SBR purchase resulting in import question
wow thank you! well it seems your information is very thorough! looking at all of that i'll probably have to pass on trying to do all that stuff. ya know i had wondered why people hadn't just tried to import one since so many want a 553 yet now i understand why lol i guess ill either have to be stuck with a 556 sbr or wait until they make a civilian model for over here 
oh well at least i know now. i appreciate your time in answering my question 
thanks!
oh well at least i know now. i appreciate your time in answering my question thanks!