How to Buy a Transferable Machine Gun
How to Buy a Transferable Machine Gun
Buying a transferable machine gun in the United States is legal for qualified individuals in many states. These firearms are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA), which means the purchase process is different from buying a typical firearm. While the paperwork takes longer, thousands of collectors legally own transferable machine guns across the country.
At MyFullAuto.com, we specialize in transferable machine guns including classic collector models such as the M16, MP5, HK sear guns, MAC-10, M1919 belt-fed machine guns, and many other pre-1986 registered firearms. This guide explains how the legal transfer process works.
What Is a Transferable Machine Gun?
A transferable machine gun is a machine gun that was legally registered with the federal government before May 19, 1986. That date is important because the Hughes Amendment closed the machine gun registry, meaning no new machine guns can be registered for civilian ownership.
Because the supply is permanently limited, transferable machine guns have become highly sought after collector firearms. Every year demand continues to increase while the number of legally transferable guns remains fixed.
Common examples include:
M16 registered receiver machine guns
HK sear machine guns
MP5 transferable machine guns
MAC-10 and MAC-11 machine guns
M1919 belt-fed machine guns
MG42 and other historic machine guns
These firearms can legally transfer between collectors with approval from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Step-by-Step Process to Buy a Transferable Machine Gun
Step 1 – Choose the Machine Gun
The first step is selecting the firearm you want to purchase. Transferable machine guns range widely in price depending on rarity, manufacturer, and configuration.
Popular collector machine guns include:
M16 transferable machine guns
HK sear or registered receiver HK machine guns
MP5 machine guns
MAC-10 or MAC-11 machine guns
Belt-fed machine guns such as the M1919
Many collectors purchase these firearms both for shooting enjoyment and long-term investment value.
Step 2 – Purchase From a Dealer or Private Collector
Transferable machine guns are typically purchased from:
licensed FFL / SOT dealers
private collectors
estate collections
machine gun specialty auctions
Working with an experienced NFA dealer can simplify the paperwork process and ensure the transfer is completed correctly.
Current inventory of transferable machine guns can be viewed at:
Step 3 – ATF Form 4 Transfer
Most transferable machine guns transfer to individuals using ATF Form 4.
The application process includes:
ATF Form 4 application paperwork
fingerprint cards
passport photos
background check
$200 NFA transfer tax
Once submitted, the ATF reviews the application and approves the transfer if all legal requirements are met.
Step 4 – ATF Approval
The ATF must approve the transfer before the buyer can take possession of the firearm.
Approval times vary depending on ATF processing, but transfers commonly take several months.
Once approved, the firearm can be legally transferred to the buyer.
Buying With a Trust vs Individual Ownership
Many collectors purchase NFA firearms using a gun trust rather than as an individual.
A trust may allow:
multiple trustees to legally possess the firearm
simplified inheritance of NFA firearms
shared access among family members
Both individual and trust ownership are legal methods for acquiring transferable machine guns.
Are Transferable Machine Guns Legal?
Transferable machine guns are federally legal but state laws vary.
Machine gun ownership is legal in many states including:
Florida
Texas
Arizona
Nevada
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Buyers should always verify their local laws before purchasing.
Why Collectors Invest in Transferable Machine Guns
Transferable machine guns have become desirable collector assets for several reasons.
First, the supply is permanently fixed due to the 1986 registry closure. No additional machine guns can be added to the civilian registry.
Second, these firearms represent important historical pieces, including Cold War and World War era weapons.
Third, collector demand has continued to increase for decades as more enthusiasts enter the NFA market.
For these reasons, many collectors view transferable machine guns as both historical artifacts and long-term investment assets.
Buy or Sell Transferable Machine Guns
If you are interested in purchasing or selling a transferable machine gun, MyFullAuto.com specializes in helping collectors navigate the process.
We offer:
transferable machine guns for sale
consignment sales
estate machine gun collection purchases
free appraisals of NFA firearms
For inventory or questions about buying a transferable machine gun, visit:
or call / text
904-800-7890
